Innovation

Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.

- William Pollard, famous physicist, professor and priest

Innovation Programs 2018-19

Helping all students to learn, grow, and achieve at high levels takes creativity and resources. Amazing things are happening for students in Lake Washington schools! The district seeks to recognize, celebrate, support and reward innovation at all schools. This effort is connected to our strategic goal to provide safe and innovative learning environments.

As we strive to accomplish our vision of Every Student Future Ready, we continue to explore innovative strategies and programs to:

  • Increase student engagement
  • Increase student achievement
  • Provide students with additional challenge and rigor
  • Close achievement and opportunity gaps

Through partnerships with Lake Washington Schools Foundation and other community partnerships, we have established a District Innovation Program and Fund. It makes grant money available to schools to implement innovative ideas. We celebrate and recognize innovative programs in our schools.

Previous Programs

LWSD Innovation Programs 2017-18

LWSD Innovation Programs 2018-19

Building Home to School Connections

Ben Rush Elementary School

The Ben Rush team is passionate about increasing culturally responsive teaching practices by building stronger home school connections and understanding students’ deep culture. The team will implement a home visit schedule where staff will engage in fun learning activities to learn more about families. The project will also include a family panel and a learning and celebration of culture opportunity. 

Creating Changemakers

Ella Baker Elementary School

At Ella Baker, students are “changemakers who know themselves, understand others and are inspired to make an impact on the world.” The Ella Baker team will develop and implement problem-based integrated units of study with a school wide service learning focus. Teachers will engage in high levels of collaboration and professional learning to support learners in becoming positive catalysts for change. 

Tools for Creating Student Models of Science Phenomenon

Finn Hill Middle School

The Finn Hill Middle School team will obtain state-of-the-art data collection tools for motion and forces that will enable students to create models to explain science phenomena. Inquiry-based units of study will be developed and implemented in alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards. By understanding scientific phenomena of the past and present students will look toward active problem-solving for the future.