International School (Bellevue, Washington): Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 23:47, 26 November 2007
| International School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public Middle School and High School |
| Established | 1991 |
| School district | Bellevue School District |
| Principal | Peter Bang-Knudsen |
| Faculty | 23 |
| Grades | 6-12 |
| Enrollment | 501 in 2006-07[1] |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Color(s) | green & silver |
| Mascot | Titans |
| Information | (425)456-6500 |
| Website | District Home Page for IS International School Home Page |
International School (IS) is a 6-12th grade school in the Bellevue School District. The mascot for Bellevue International School is the Titan, and the logo is a greek tripod with an ascending flame. International school is not a "true" international school with students from across the globe, but rather challenges students to think globally. Admission is based on a lottery of all incoming 6th graders who apply. International School is not affilliated with the WIAA, and students participate in sports at their home school within the district.
History
International School was founded in 1991 by Bellevue teachers Rick Hart, Patricia McLean, Rita Lowy, Bruce Saari, Terry LaRussa Banton and Karen Kurle[2]. Founded with a competitive $300,000 grant from the "Schools for the 21st Century" Commission, the six were granted a half year of release time to develop and recruit for the program. International School opened with 150 sixth and seventh graders in the fall of 1991, housed in an old elementary school. Later the school was moved to its current location in an unused junior high[3].
Academics
Bellevue International offers a seven year, seven subject curriculum, in which students take seven years of humanities (language arts), international studies, math, science, PE/health and fine arts. Additionally, students study a foreign language, French or German, for seven years, with the intention of achieving fluency, and ultimately studying subjects such as literature, history and social studies in that language .
As seniors, students are required to complete a "Senior Project", which according to the school website, they must complete through "integrating, demonstrating real-world application"[4]. One class is dedicated to this project senior year.
Students of the International School, none of whom are enrolled in occupational education classes, also participate in a "Week of focused study outside formal classroom structure"[5]. This Focus Week was designed as a way for students to earn their Occupational Credits or elective credits required to graduate high school. Many of the Focus Weeks involve going on overnight trips to other parts of the state such as Washington Pacific Ocean beaches, to other states, and sometimes outside of the country, including a three-week long exchange program to either France or Germany. Although Focus Week is required, students must pay a fee that varies based on the specific activity chosen.
As of the 2006-2007 school year, IS had an enrollment of 501 students[6]. Because of the limited enrollment, students are chosen from applicants from Bellevue School District's 6th grade class by lottery.
Achievements
International School ranked #11 in the nation by Newsweek Magazine List of Best High Schools[7]as measured by the number of AP tests divided by the number of seniors in the school. International School was also selected as a Blue Ribbon National School of Excellence in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Education[8].
The School is also well known for its robotics team.
Curriculum
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2007) |
The school has had two new principals in the last four years[citation needed]. In addition, International School offers a wide range of only Advanced Placement courses that are available to all students.
A few of the changes that have been made in recent years by the new principals include, but are not limited to: The implementation of a tardy policy, the implementation of warning bells before certain classes, forced AP classes[citation needed]. The original "Student as Worker" phrase supported the idea that it was the students responsibility to learn, to write down their homework, and to be to class on time, which means no neccessity for bells reminding students to be to class on time. This concept has been discontinued and removed form the school mission, and is now replaced with focusing on creating "global citizens", and partially due to this, warning bells are now used in the school the go off 3 minutes before a class starts[citation needed].
References
- ^ http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121
- ^ http://www.topschools.com/InternationalModel.htm
- ^ http://www.topschools.com/StartUpFAQ.htm
- ^ http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121
- ^ http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121
- ^ http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121
- ^ http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380
- ^ http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2004/public-high.pdf