Maywood, Pine Lake Offer New Microschool Opportunities

A cool opportunity is in the works for students at two middle schools in the district, where teachers are working together to create an innovative learning experience in “microschool” environments. 

“Microschools offer an exciting learning experience for all students, combining collaboration, creativity, and real-world problem-solving,” said Julia Bamba, Principal on Special Assignment for Secondary Innovation. “Through interdisciplinary projects in science, language arts, and social studies, students build the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and contribute meaningfully to their communities — empowering them to thrive and shape their future with confidence.” 

Both Maywood Middle School and Pine Lake Middle School will offer a microschool model for some eighth grade students next school year. In each case, students will still attend their own school, but will have microschool versions of some of their core classes. 

“When subjects are integrated, the experience becomes relevant for students as they begin to see how their subjects work together to deepen students understanding as they seek ways to impact their school and community in positive ways. They don’t just learn subject matter and concepts, but they learn to think creatively and critically to apply this learning to finding solutions to solve problems in our schools, communities, and the world,” Bamba said. 

The Issaquah School Foundation awarded the district a $3,300 Impact Scholarship to support microschool startup project-based supplies, materials and tools. At each school, the classes will happen as part of a block schedule, and students will still learn curriculum that integrates state standards for those courses. The students in each program will still have their regular schedule for other classes such as math, PE/Health and electives. 

At Maywood, the new microschool will combine Science with English Language Arts to focus on the “Secrets of the Salish,” with a focus on learning about water in Washington state. Students and staff will go on field trips and complete projects to explore local environmental issues. Teacher Valerie Buck shared that one of the units will involve following the water cycle from the Cedar River watershed all the way to the water treatment center in Renton. Other possibilities include: 

• A full-day “adventure at sea” aboard the MV Doolin Rogers out of Tacoma. Students will have the chance to learn from the captain about how to collect marine samples, use the on-board lab, learn about maritime jobs and more. 
• Learning about energy by visiting Snoqualmie Falls (including a hike down to the waterfall) and the museum. 

“I’m excited for students to have access to a different experience for learning, where they can go into more depth on subjects that interest them, try more project-based learning and collaborate,” Principal Erin Armstrong said. Maywood staff are gauging student interest, in the hope of running two groups of about 25 eighth grade students each. 

Issaquah High School has been offering a microschool that combines science and English Language Arts with engaging field trips such as an adventure in North Bend, where they applied scientific and physics concepts to rock-climbing; and project-based learning such as designing and helping to build an interactive mini golf course for a local preschool.  Teachers and administrators from Maywood and Pine Lake are drawing ideas and experience from the I.H.S. microschool model and also from Gibson Ek teachers about how they structure some of their project-based learning. 

At Pine Lake, the new microschool will focus on sustainability and community impact, and will combine English Language Arts with Social Studies and Science in a three-period block with about 30 students in one cohort. “We’re thrilled to offer this new learning experience, and look forward to seeing how our students will grow as problem-solvers and change-makers,” Principal Michelle Caponigro said. 

Caponigro said she’s also excited about the collaboration that will be built among the students in the microschool, and that this option allows Pine Lake to continue to build more opportunities for student learning and choice during the school day. “This is a great demonstration of our school’s belief in discovery and community, and we look forward to learning together how to make this a great experience for all involved,” she added. 

Staff at Pine Lake have been collaborating on the topic of sustainability for several years, and the microschool will enable staff and students to dig deep into local sustainability issues and to partner with real work happening in and around Sammamish, Caponigro said. 

If our schools are preparing our students for an ever-changing world, we should offer opportunities for our students to deeply experience learning that is relevant to their lives, Bamba said. “It’s critical that we support students to not only learn content and subject matter, but more importantly learn how to work collaboratively as they develop creative and critical thinking skills so they can positively influence their communities now and into the future,” she continued.  

“When we provide students with opportunities for project-based learning connected to their communities, students see their learning as meaningful and impactful. When learning is meaningful and impactful, student engagement increases as students see purpose and application of their learning,” Bamba said. “And, if we can expand opportunities for our students to be contributors to our communities while developing their own academic and personal skills, student ownership and engagement in learning increases.”  

In the photo above, members of the Issaquah High School microschool pause for a photo during their adventure combining physics and rock-climbing in North Bend.