It is my privilege and pleasure to welcome you to the outstanding Northshore Junior High School community. On the steps of our school courtyard is inscribed this motto: The Future Belongs to Those Who Prepare for it Today. We are in the crucial business of preparing the young people of our community for their future. Our staff is dedicated to developing students' academics, responsible citizenship, and a commitment to life-long learning. The Northshore Junior High staff recognizes that parents and community members entrust us with their most precious possession, the children of this community. We invite you to join us in partnership as our students enter as seventh graders, some what awkward and maybe shy, and leave us with the knowledge, confidence and skills to be successful in high school and beyond.

Gretchen Schaefer

• Be effective users of ideas, information, and time
• Communicate confidently and effectively
• Demonstrate initiative and responsibility
• Have respect for self and others
• Be creative problem-solvers
• Have a commitment to quality work
• Strive for excellence

Northshore Junior High is committed to helping all students meet standard in reading, writing, math, and science, as measured by the Washington Assessment of Student Learning in grades seven and ten. Our school improvement planning process identifies deficit skill areas, and directs instructional practices to be implemented school-wide for maximum student benefit. In 2006-07, all Northshore Junior High students benefit from a school-wide emphasis on active reading strategies and expository theme writing. School Improvement Plans have been created for all eighth and ninth graders who did not meet standard on their seventh or eighth grade WASL.

State funds from I-728 reduce class sizes in math and language arts classes, improving the student/teacher ratio to allow for more personalized instruction for students not yet at standard. Extended study help is provided each Tuesday and Thursday for students needing additional learning time, as well as the weekly opportunities many teachers offer after school for students.

The NJH School Improvement Plan ties technology to student learning goals. NJH is advancing learning in math, science, and social studies by integrating state of the art technology such as digital document cameras, presentation projectors, and interactive white boards.

Northshore Junior High was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School for 2005 by the United States Department of Education. Results of the tenth grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning show an exceptional success rate for Inglemoor High School students who attended Northshore Junior High.

Northshore Junior High students enroll in a core program of Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math, and a semester of Health/Fitness during a six period day. In addition, all students select elective courses from World Languages and the Arts, as well as Health and Fitness. Ten percent of students take Honors classes in social studies and language arts, and twenty percent take honors math classes.  Students are selected for these programs based upon scores earned on the CoGat test. NJH also serves a diverse student population of special needs students, providing individualized instruction in reading, writing, math, social skills, life skills, and/or English language learning.

Northshore School District ninth graders will successfully complete a culminating Freshman Project as a new high school graduation requirement. The project has four main components: A proposal and action plan, a research paper, an oral presentation, and an essay wherein the student reflects as a learner.

The Northshore Junior High Freshman Project essential question asks: What inducement is there for prosperous countries to delay personal gratification for the greater global good? NJH freshmen build a global perspective as they research United Nations issues of concern, and the impact of that issue on a Pacific Rim country. Students consider solutions and develop proposals to make a difference in their world. In preparation for the Freshman Project, NJH staff use consistent school-wide strategies across all grades in note-taking, guiding questions, research techniques, final draft format, works cited, and visual and oral presentations.

Northshore Junior High received the outstanding distinction of being nominated as a United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School for 2005, one of only seven schools in the state of Washington so nominated that year.

Northshore Junior High music programs are the pride of our school. The NJH Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra both achieved Superior ratings at the regional Northlake contests as well as at competitions in Canada and Oregon.

Northshore Junior High carries on its tradition for excellence in mathematics. Approximately 80 8th graders and a few 7th graders took the 8th grade American Mathematics Competition Math Exam.  Out of those students, 10 were Honors award winners and 5 received Honors With Distinction awards. In addition, one NJH student was a State winner with a perfect 25 out of 25 score.

State Winner:
Yuta Kato

Honors with Distinction Award Winners: 21 out of 25 or better:
Brendan Goldrick
Yota Kato
Dae Hong (Patrick) Kim
Bryant Wong

Honors Award Winners: 17 out of 25 or better:
Ashley Wong
Alan Bach
Brady Gregor
Kristine Lee
Aaron Wipf
Nicole Anderson
Brian Aufderspringe
Wenhao Lu
Claudia Park
Mark Swanson

Northshore Junior High School earned a Superior rating for a high scoring school with a 73 out of 75, and earned a Certificate of Honor. 

The Northshore Junior High PTSA is a liaison between parents, students, educators, and the community. Our PTSA is committed to responding to the needs of the Northshore Junior High community through PTSA sponsored programs and activities that complement the academic curriculum. The PTSA welcomes and encourages you to become involved and to participate in any of the many fine programs offered. We provide parent information/education programs, grants for special classroom projects, Staff Appreciation activities, dance chaperones, and scholarship funds.

The NJH PTSA is working hard to maintain an unbroken circle of learning and growing for our students and their families. Please join us. Call the NJH office for PTSA leaders' phone numbers.

We invite parents and community members to be involved in Northshore Junior High School's academic, athletic, and activities programs. Junior high is not the time to stop volunteering in your student's schools. The students of parents who stay involved in school make better academic progress and have more overall school success than the students of parents who do not.

Opportunities include joining Parent Partners (campus supervision) and PTSA programs. There are also opportunities to tutor in the classrooms; help with classroom duties; and assist in the health room, the attendance office, the main office, and the library. Parents may also help as chaperones on field trips and dances. Call today! Become a Northshore Junior High volunteer!