Programs and Services
The district offers a variety of programs for students with various learning needs, including Multilingual English Learners, Title 1 and highly capable students. These services are based upon the same foundation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment provided for all general education students. In collaboration with Special Education, Career and Technical Education, and at-risk partners, these offerings constitute a full continuum of student services supporting our belief that in the Issaquah School District, all children can and do learn powerfully.
In this section of the Community Report, you will find highlights from the 2021-2022 school year. However, we encourage you to explore Programs and Services on our website to get a more comprehensive overview of the programs that support student achievement. For more information about student activities, student and family programs, student achievements, and more, please visit our News page.
Gibson Ek Graduate Leaves Legacy Garden to Feed Others, Inspire Change
Gibson Ek High School graduate Connor Lo grew 130 pounds of fresh produce for the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank last year. As a senior, Lo planned a legacy garden that could grow even more fresh vegetables for community members in need – a garden that new and returning Gibson Ek students can continue and maintain in years to come. But his ideas, inspiration and the research he put in go far beyond preparing the ground and sowing seeds.
When pausing to think about the work he has done, he said it sometimes catches him off guard. “It’s like, ‘Wow, all of this really happened.’ In middle school, my dad would say ‘You just need to apply yourself,’” Lo said. “After this project, I was like, ‘Oh! That’s what he meant!’”
Learn more about the legacy garden by reading the entire news article.
Preparing Students for the Future with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Join Spenser Phelan, our Director of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, for a quick introduction of MTSS and learn how it has shaped the student experience in schools throughout our district. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, or MTSS, is a nationally recognized, evidence-based framework guiding our approach to academics, social emotional learning, behavior and attendance.
"This is such an honor to be asked to perform at this event," said Vail, the orchestra director at BLMS. "Once in a lifetime!"
Beaver Lake Middle School Orchestra Featured at State Music Conference
It’s nearly time for sixth period at Beaver Lake Middle School, and the hallway near the music rooms is abuzz with students carrying instruments. Inside Marianna Vail’s classroom, members of the Sinfonia Orchestra are getting ready for one of their final rehearsals before performing at the Washington Music Educators Association conference in Yakima.
After settling in their seats, members of the orchestra tune their instruments and participate in fun warm-up exercises, such as trying to play with their bows upside down. Then they move on to refining the pieces they’ll play in Yakima. Vail is energetic, encouraging the students to play pizzicato, to focus in on a tricky piece of a song, or to emphasize the dynamics. She also asks the students to think about the feeling that they want to create with each song in the performance. For the first piece, as an example, “O Desayo,” she shares: “This is a party – we're inviting people to come! We want to make that audience feel super welcome as they’re coming in!”
Learn more by reading the entire news article.
District Social Media Channel Statistics
We celebrate our programs and services every week on district and building websites and also on our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Regularly monitoring our engagement helps us understand what matters to our community in order to better serve our students, families and staff.