2019-20 Annual Report

Message from the Superintendent

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is proud to serve a growing and diverse community. With more than 31,000 students in our 56 schools, LWSD has moved from the sixth-largest school district in the state to the second-largest in a period of just five years. From 2008 to 2019, the district’s enrollment grew by an average of 667 students each year. That is the size of a large elementary school. A total of 7,337 more students are in LWSD schools today than 11 years ago, representing 31 percent growth.   

This report shares information about the 2019-2020 school year. One that saw an unprecedented shift in learning due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. For that reason, much of the data that we would typically share is not available this year, such as standardized test scores.  

For LWSD, 2019-2020 was the first year of “Elevate” our new three-year Strategic Plan. Created under previous Superintendent, Dr. Jane Stavem, and with the support of a large group of community members, staff and students, “Elevate” was created to help provide us with direction as we work to provide the best education in the world for our students.  

Strategic Plan 2019-23

Here are some key elements to this new Strategic Plan:

Mission

Each student will graduate prepared to lead a rewarding and responsible life as a contributing member of our community and greater society. 

Vision

Every Student Future Ready: Prepared for College, Prepared for the Global Workplace, Prepared for Personal Success

Values

From the Boardroom to the classroom, Lake Washington School District is committed to the values that shape our culture:

Focus on Students – To prepare our students we believe that all students must have opportunities to learn a rich curriculum in inclusive classrooms. 

Focus on Learning – To continue growing as an organization, everyone must have access to learning opportunities that encourage ongoing growth and development. 

Focus on Connections – To engage our community, our district must be focused on strong partnerships, outstanding service, and clear communication. 

Focus on Results – To be the best school district in the world, we are committed to high quality implementation of practices that produce positive change and sustainable transformation.

Priorities

We elevate everyone and everything in Lake Washington as we focus on: 

Success – We set high expectations and provide support to help students and staff grow every year. 

Well-Being – We create safe, welcoming and inclusive places to learn for students and staff. 

Engagement – We engage students, families, and community partners to improve student outcomes and build trust. 

Excellence – We ensure organizational responsibility through the effective use of resources and systems that align with district values and strategic priorities. 

Innovation – We encourage new ideas and embrace creativity and reimagine teaching and learning. 

Equity – We increase equitable outcomes by addressing barriers to engagement and success.


Lake Washington School District Board of Directors

The Lake Washington School District Board of Directors has the legal responsibility to direct the schools of the district. The Board represents the citizens of the district. They direct the operational organization through the Superintendent, who functions as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

Board members represent and are elected by the whole district. However, each director must be a resident of the specific director district whose seat they hold. That system ensures geographic diversity of representation on the board.  

The Board governs the district using “Policy Governance.” In this framework of organizational leadership, the Board establishes and monitors organizational performance. The Board sets Executive Limitations, policies that set limits and boundaries for achieving organizational goals and outcomes. They define desired outcomes for our students and the district through ends results. 

These elected officials serve four-year terms. Many of these Board members have served for multiple terms, providing stability in district governance. 

Board meetings are streamed live on the district website. They are also broadcast locally on Comcast channel 26. Videos of past board meetings, along with agendas, minutes and associated documents are available inside Board Docs.