Community schools have been a part of the Lake Washington School District since the 1970s; the newest community school is the Explorer Community School. Founded in 1996, it is located on the campus of Emily Dickinson Elementary and is a public elementary school staffed by certified teachers responsible for meeting the district’s established academic goals. Explorer is also a “learning community” with a specific mission and vision:

Mission

Our mission is to create a learning partnership among children, teachers and parents.

Vision

Our school community aims to inspire a life-long passion for learning in an atmosphere of fun, trust and respect. Our focus is the social, academic, and emotional growth of children enabling them to build their own future and positively impact their world. We strive to provide opportunities for each child to realize his or her own individual potential and to foster an atmosphere of cooperation and trust.