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. Title I programs and services provide supplemental education assistance that helps students meet our state’s challenging academic standards and assessments, while also taking an active, engaged interest in what they learn and can do.
The programs and services our district offers are based upon the same foundation of curriculum, instruction and assessment provided for all general education students. 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. We're grateful to the Teaching and Learning, Special Services, Elementary Education, and the Career and Technical Education departments for their work in these areas, and for the community partners who help our students thrive.
In this section of the Community Report, you will find highlights from the 2024-2025 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.
Black and Brown Excellence Summit Inspires Students, Staff
On a day that was filled with personal stories, moments of connection and inspiration, the Issaquah School District recently hosted its first-ever Black and Brown Excellence Summit for high school students. About 70 teens from across the district gathered to hear three keynote speakers, a panel and a selection of six workshop leaders. While this type of conference is new to the ISD, districts across the country have hosted summits like this one for many years.
Aaron Reader, the opening keynote speaker, shared a bit of his own story growing up in East Oakland, where he said he dodged bullets, gangs and labels. “They called us ‘quarters,’ because they said we wouldn’t live past 25," Reader said. “I showed up. I survived.” Even more importantly, he said, he created.
Reader called for students to stand with confidence in everything they do, to know that they will each create something special, and to understand that their individual voices are necessary.
“You are your ancestors’ wildest dreams,” Reader said. “Think about the legacy you want to leave behind ... If you don’t tell your own story, somebody else is gonna tell it for you.”
Gibson Ek 11th grader Emma A. said the summit “created this passionate environment with remarkable speeches and classes. Opportunities to attend events like these are rare most of the time, but the Black and Brown Student Summit shared something important: community.” Emma said the speakers “gave astonishing perspectives on topics that aren’t often shared. I went into the summit with high expectations and left with a notebook filled with notes, quotes, and reflections; it truthfully did not disappoint.”
Read the full news article
Career and Technical Education: Connecting through American Sign
At Skyline High School and across the district, students are discovering the power of American Sign Language. 🤟✨ Taught by Deaf educator Matthew Simmons, Skyline’s ASL class helps students "hear with their eyes" while learning both the language and Deaf culture. Students share how ASL has built their confidence, deepened their understanding, and helped them connect with their community in new ways. With ASL bridging Career & Technical Education and foreign language studies, students gain valuable skills that can serve them throughout their lives.
learn more about Career and technical education on our website.
Mentoring for the Future: High Schoolers Inspire Young Learners at Clark Elementary
A partnership between Issaquah High School and Clark Elementary provides students with a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. As part of their Elementary Tutoring class, juniors and seniors from Issaquah High School (I.H.S.) mentor Clark students, fostering meaningful relationships that benefit both age groups.
The high school students visit Clark four days a week and spend time with their mentees in the classroom, during specialist classes (Library, Music, Art, PE), at recess, or during lunch. The high schoolers support younger students in both academic and social skills.
Before students become mentors, “I make sure they’re a good fit,” said Jolene Gensheimer, teacher and graduation specialist at I.H.S. “Criteria include excellent attendance, integrity, and responsibility. I also ask counselors and teachers for input.”
Students complete training on topics like learning styles and classroom management. “We talk about being a ‘warm demander,’ where you balance warmth with accountability,” she explained. “It’s about building trust while helping students stay on task.”
Clark Elementary staff carefully match mentees with mentors based on shared interests and needs. “We use our tiered systems of support to guide the matches,” shared Clark Principal Christy Otley. “The high schoolers also complete profiles, which help us align their strengths with our students’ needs.”
Having a mentor makes an important impact for the elementary students. “Mentored students often show improved academic performance, increased self-confidence, and better communication skills,” Otley said.
Lincoln C., a third grader, shared how his mentor, Sarah Cizek, helps him stay calm and focused. “She’s pretty fun and helps me calm down often,” he said. “Reading with her is my favorite — it’s cool, explaining the books to her.”
Learn more by reading the full news article.
District Social Media Channel Statistics
We celebrate our programs and services on district and building websites and on our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. We added a district LinkedIn account during the 2023-24 school year. Regularly monitoring our engagement helps us understand what matters to our community to better serve our students, families and staff.
Issaquah High School graduates are IN THE BUILDING! Let’s celebrate!! 
Not here? Join the celebration! Watch the Livestream on our YouTube channel." Posted June 12, 2025.District Methods of Communication
In the 2024-25 school year, the Communications Team published the district “Weekly Bulletin: The 411” on Mondays when school was in session, along with special bulletins as needed. Other regular communication methods include: Horizons news, an occasional digital publication designed to share stories of excellence, achievement and engagement; FOCUS print newsletter, which is mailed to all residents of the district twice per year; regular updates to the district website and school building websites; an annual Student Art Calendar; the ISD Insider, a twice-monthly bulletin for district staff; and weekly “Rave Reviews” from staff members to other staff members. The team also publishes to district social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.
- The district bulletin has open rates ranging from 59-68%; and click rates ranging from 6-29%. These metrics are significantly above national standards, and have shown an increase from the prior school year.