Children who demonstrate exceptional ability, exceed grade level standards in literacy and math and possess strong motivation to excel are good candidates for the elementary Quest program.
Identifying Elementary Quest Students
Students must go through the elementary Quest application, screening and assessment process in order to be considered for enrollment in the either of the two elementary Quest programs. The program enrollment is limited to the available student spaces.
Applicants must:
- be residents of Lake Washington School District
- demonstrate high academic achievement and cognitive ability in both literacy and math
- go through the district’s Quest assessment process for selection*
- complete the online application
*Private testing outside of the school district cannot be used to substitute for Lake Washington School District testing.
Application and assessment
Find out how to apply and about the assessment and placement process.
Two Programs: enrichment pull-out and full-time Quest
Enrichment pull-out program
The enrichment pull-out program is designed to meet the needs of students who have exceptional ability by enriching their elementary curriculum. Students attend their home school four days a week and the enrichment pull-out classroom one day a week.
The curriculum in the enrichment pull-out program includes integrated social studies and science themes. Students apply literacy and math, with emphasis on higher level thinking skills. Long-term projects are part of the enrichment pull-out program.
Placement in enrichment pull-out Quest school locations is determined by home address. Enrichment pull-out programs are currently located at:
- Blackwell Elementary, Sammamish
- Franklin Elementary, Kirkland
- Thoreau Elementary, Kirkland
Pull-Out Quest Transportation
Transportation to Pull-Out Quest is available to students at a cost. The fee is $175 for the year. Routes will be determined based on fees paid prior to the start of the year. If there is not enough interest in any route, it will be canceled. Fees provide a pass for the students to ride the bus. Fees will be charged regardless of how many times a student chooses to ride the bus.
Full-time Program
The full-time program is designed to meet the needs of students who have exceptional ability by accelerating the district curriculum. Students are enrolled in a self-contained classroom all day, five days a week.
The curriculum in the full-time program includes:
- academic thinking skills and strategies
- communication and collaboration skills
- local and global citizenship
- personal attributes including strong work ethic, responsibility, resiliency and balance
- literacy & language
- mathematical and scientific reasoning
- social studies
- information and communication technology
- culture and the arts
- career planning and life management
As this is an accelerated program, the learning pace is faster than in the regular education program. Students are expected to perform work that exceeds grade level standards by at least one grade level.
Placement in full-time Quest school locations is determined by home address. Full-time Quest programs are currently located at:
- Alcott Elementary, Redmond
- Franklin Elementary, Kirkland
- Redmond Elementary, Redmond
- Smith Elementary, Sammamish
- Thoreau Elementary, Kirkland
Full-time Quest Transportation
District transportation is available for elementary students from the neighborhood home school to and from the Quest school site. Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the neighborhood home school. See bus schedules.