Lake Washington School District (LWSD) recently reached an agreement with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) on a new three-year contract.
![First Day of School at Sandburg Elementary]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1567626092/lwsdorg/drqfkjh2japx2xvozcgi/sanburg-first-day-thumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1567626092/lwsdorg/drqfkjh2japx2xvozcgi/sanburg-first-day-thumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1567626092/lwsdorg/drqfkjh2japx2xvozcgi/sanburg-first-day-thumbnail.jpg","width":800}])
Choice Schools
The choice school application is currently closed. Please check back in the fall of 2019 for updated choice school lottery application timelines.
Choice schools and programs are optional schooling alternatives, created to meet specific needs and interests. They are designed to be smaller and use innovative approaches to education that are different from traditional public schools. Choice schools and programs are often housed within an existing school or on the same campus as another school.
Enrollment and Lottery Process
Choice schools and programs are open to all students in the district. Students must apply to be considered for enrollment in the school or program: the schools are small by design, so there are enrollment limits.
Choice School Application Timeline for 2019-20
Check back in the fall of 2019 for updated lottery application timelines.
More information is available on each school's website and in the videos below.
Choice Schools/Programs
Cambridge Program
10601 NE 132nd Street, Kirkland 98034
Grades 9-12
- Maximum 240 students, grades 9-12
- Rigorous academic curriculum and assessment program administered by the University of Cambridge in England, with an emphasis on development of higher-order thinking skills, problem solving, investigative and research skills
- Teachers collaborate with international experts; students make global connections
- Examinations in mathematics & sciences, languages, arts & humanities, and global perspectives lead toward the globally recognized Advanced International Certificate of Education
- Program provides a rich, collaborative environment in which scholarship is the norm, with a focus on transition to competitive post-secondary institutions
- Follows district choice school application, lottery and registration timeline
Emerson High School
10903 NE 53rd Street, Kirkland 98033
Grades 9-12
Not lottery based.
- Maximum 130 students, grades 9-12
- Smaller class sizes
- Standards-based grading/credits
- Eight session calendar
- Opportunity for independent study coursework
- Full access to Running Start and WANIC skills programs for 11th and 12th graders
- Personalized learning plans are provided for each student
- Grading scale is A-B-C-No Credit
- Night school attendance opportunities
- Instruction provided using LWSD curriculum and state standards
Emerson K-12
10903 NE 53rd Street, Kirkland 98033
Grades K-12
Not lottery based.
- Maximum 350 students, grades K-12
- Partner with families who instruct their children at home
- Smaller class sizes
- Enrichment and core classes
- Full access to Running Start and WANIC skills programs for 11th & 12th graders
- Fully accredited
- Option for LWSD diploma
- Personalized learning plans are provided for each student
- Instruction provided using LWSD curriculum and state standards
Environmental & Adventure School
8040 NE 132nd Street, Kirkland 98034
Grades 6-8
- Maximum 140 students, grades 6-8
- Rigorous and challenging curriculum organized around district and state standards
- Language arts, social studies, science, and art curriculum integrated around yearly themes
- Multi-grade classes in all subject areas
- Adventure education (school excursions) and community stewardship projects connected with academic learning, personal challenge and teamwork
- Extensive parent volunteer involvement
- See school website for more information
Futures School
10601 NE 132nd Street, Kirkland 98034
Grades 9-12
Not lottery based.
- 27 students, primarily juniors and seniors in need of credit recovery; intake conferences arranged individually
- A supportive environment that fosters the development of inquisitive, engaged and self-confident students who take ownership of their learning and strive for excellence
- Rigorous content mastery supported by intensive collaboration among faculty members
- Faculty use best practices to activate student engagement
- Washington Achievement Award winner in the category of Extended Graduation Rate
International Community School
11133 NE 65th Street, Kirkland 98033
Grades 6-12
- Maximum 440 students, grades 6-12
- Focus on classical education with global applications in business, law, social sciences and science
- Highly integrated core content areas of international studies, humanities and art
- Four years of Spanish required
- All high school courses are offered at the Honors or AP level
- 99% of ICS graduates attend a four-year college
- Majority of graduates earn scholarships
Mead STEM Program
1725 - 216th Ave NE, Sammamish 98074
Grades 1-5
This program is only open to students who reside in the Mead Elementary School attendance boundary.
Northstar Middle School
10903 NE 53rd Street, Kirkland 98033
Grades 6-8
- Maximum 90 students, grades 6-8
- Challenging academic program with high-level expectations for all students
- Theme-based classes, focus on humanities and sciences
- Emphasis on academic excellence and service to the community
- Organized like a college curriculum – 7th and 8th grade students choose courses each semester, 6th grade students take required foundational classes
Renaissance School of Art & Reasoning
400 - 228th Ave NE, Sammamish 98074
Grades 6-8
- Maximum 96 students in grades 6-8 develop in an environment of academic rigor, using multiple approaches and perspectives
- Focus on integrating the visual and performing arts with a challenging science and mathematics curriculum
- Students are known and nurtured as important individuals who have an active concern for their community and society
- Strong parent involvement and volunteerism
- Numerous after-school enrichment programs
- RSAR is a member of the National Thespian Society and National Junior Honor Society
Stella Schola
13505 NE 75th Street, Redmond 98052
Grades 6-8
- Maximum 90 students, grades 6-8
- Challenging academics based on historical themes and integrated with classic literature
- Students remain with the same teacher all day, providing strong support and a personalized learning environment
- Hands-on learning activities, projects, and field experiences
- Two years of required Latin taken by all students in grades 7 and 8
- One-to-one student mentoring at sixth grade
- Honors distinction available for students who choose to opt-in in grades 7 and 8
- Elective options including band, orchestra and fitness
Tesla STEM High School
4301 - 228th Avenue NE, Redmond 98053
Grades 9-12
- Maximum 600 students, grades 9-12
- Focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- UW in the High School with Honors and Advanced Placement courses
- STEM lab concentrations & problem-based learning
- STEM connections between school, college, graduate school and global enterprise
- STEM professionals/experts and instructors work as a team in the learning environment
- STEM education fused with the social sciences, humanities, law, and business
- Scholars prepared to work on real solutions to local, national, and global problems
- Scholars prepared to translate invention to innovation to global solutions
- Scholars work in STEM internships/contest-based mentorships
Transportation for Choice Schools and Programs
Parents/guardians of students who attend choice schools or programs must arrange their own transportation. In some cases, the district offers bus transportation. Contact the choice school or program you are interested in attending for more information.
Choice School Applications
Applicants should apply online to each Choice School they are considering.
If your child has previously applied to a choice school and is on a waitlist, do not re-apply to that school. Your child's waitlist spot is carried forward each year.
(Note: Emerson K-12, Emerson High School, and Futures School use their own applications. Please contact those schools for application information.)
After completing the online application, the applicant will receive a confirmation email from the system indicating that the application has been received. Incomplete applications will not be processed as part of the lottery. If you are unable to access the online application, there are three options available:
- The LWSD Resource Center has computers available for public use during regular business hours.
- The public library has computers available for public use.
- If the above options are not available or accessible, the parent may contact Janette Cimburek at the resource center at 425-936-1316 or jcimburek@lwsd.org.
A lottery and/or wait list system is used to place students when applications exceed vacancies. Choice school and program lotteries are run centrally at the district office. Lottery numbers are generated for each school through the use of a random sequence generator. The district will notify parents of their student's lottery number(s) following the district lottery.
For more information about the choice school or program you are interested in, visit the school's website. Additionally, most choice schools or programs hold an information night that provides a greater level of detail about the school, its program, and the unique features a student and family can expect at that particular school or program. Annually, the district publishes information about the middle school options and high school options. This can also help to inform students and families about the features of a choice school or program.
For information on eligibility, the application process, lottery process, and more, parents may review the district administrative policy and procedure.