Northshore School District's commitment to the growing need for alternative learning opportunities.

Serving as principal for 25 years, the last five at SAS, I am humbled and enthused to share learning with our dynamic, experienced student centered staff and diverse student and parent community.

Our school serves grades 7-12 and draws students from our six junior highs and three comprehensive high schools, embracing students whose learning style is not a match for traditional programs.

Our research based design centers on what we know motivates learners:

• Positive, supportive relationships
• A sense of mastery
• A sense of community
• A sense of choice and internal control
• A needs satisfying environment
  

Enrollment is predicated on an application process. Our students sign an achievement contract when they choose SAS. Personal accountability and respect are the two pivotal requirements which guide our program. Our students  meet the same high quality credit and diploma standards required  of all Northshore high school graduates. The difference is our delivery and support system.

As 76% of the current job opportunities require a community college or technical degree, SAS seniors are encouraged to pursue Running Start, Nevac or school to work career introduction programs.

SAS is Northshore's green school and is partnering with Mckinstry, a local leader in creative energy innovations and solutions. Together we are defining the skills and curriculum needed to meet the demands of new green collar job market.

For the past three years our entire student body has volunteered two days a year to work the land at Woodinville's 21 Acres Sustainable Farm Project. Service Learning is a key component of the SAS experience.

Our Blues in the Schools and Vocal Music Project has become another program of note at SAS. Professional musicians teach three week workshops to interested students which culminate in a concert performance. Last year SAS students performed a Motown show with professional artist Bernadette Bascom and Sanjaya, from American Idol, and raised $16,000 to fund our outstanding music program. Senator Rosemary McAuliffe and several interested community members have recently established a non profit group to support the continued development of our SAS music model.

All students are considered leaders at SAS and learning is reciprocal. Students, staff and our community and business partners all take responsibility for increasing student learning. This unique team concept results in an average attendance rate of 98%, a graduation rate of 99% , a 100% completion rate on both Senior and Freshman projects and a yearly increase in scholarship awards.

The purpose of this profile is to give you a snapshot of the remarkable students and staff that make our school the Academy for Success.

Thank you for your support and interest,

Holly Call
Principal

Tony Olney
Assistant Principal

• 15-day Student credit achievement reports
• Weekly staff PLC meeting on student achievement and personal needs

• The High School We Need, May 2007
• The Nine Characteristics of High Performing Schools, June 2007
• Breaking Ranks I & II, NASSP

A. Positive Relationships, Trust, Warm supportive environment
B. Sense of Mastery
C. Sense of Community
D. Choice - internal controls
E. Need Satisfying Environment

Our Teachers:

• 8 full time teaching staff in high school 9-12
• 3 part time - .4 math, .4 library, .6 contract, .4 science
• 2 part time counselors
• 2 full time junior high teachers
• .6 part time junior high teacher science
  

Common Characteristics of Staff:

• Focus on individual student needs - strengths and talents
• Purposeful instruction - diagnosis and design
• Flexible - multiple subject specialists
• Personalized teaching focus on our 5 student engagement strategies
• Consistent and persistent
• Collaborative, model teamwork and respect
• Independent
• Strong sense of equity
• "Big Picture" thinkers
  

Our Students:

• 142 FTE enrolled
• 30 - 7th and 8th students, junior high program
• 20% special ed
• Average 30 students on the wait list
  

Common Characteristics:

• Lack a personal organization system
• Lack sense of belonging, community
• Lack support group
• Attendance issues
• At risk behavior - self or family
• Socially immature
• Learning gaps
• Trust issues
• Fiercely independent
• 90% visual, hands on learners
• Strong sense of equity
• Want to customize their education
• Artistic
• Creative
  
  

• Application process: High School and Jr. High partner with liaison counselor in each secondary school rank by need, priority to seniors

• Intake interview - student, parent, principal. Framed as job and work interview. Job contract sign and set 3 goals for the year

• Emphasize individual responsibility and accountability

• Calendar organized in 15-day credit earning terms

• Progress Report each 15-day with celebration assembly

• Mastery Teaching and Learning System - focus on credit not grades

• All students meet district and state diploma requirements for graduation

• Choice, Friday Opportunites - block schedule, career, art, science field trips, culinary arts, poetry, music, study skills support, green team and leadership team

• Late start 8:10 am - breakfast program

• Mentor program daily during homeroom

• Learning center program - 20% Special Education students

• Focus on student strengths and talents - Blues in the Schools - professional music instruction. Art club, teacher student volleyball club, craft club, green team, leadership team

• Focus on social and personal health growth. Counselors teach prevention education, girls issues

• Focus on Service Learning through Freshman Project and Senior Culminating Project

• 25% of our juniors and 28% seniors are involved in NEVAC, Satellite classes or Running Start

• $10,000 scholarships received
• $2,500 renewed scholarships class of 2007

• 54% Community or Technical College
• 33% Working full-time
• 2% University
• 11% Private College

• Earth Hero Award
• $10,000 grant and new partnership with McKinstry Industries
• Target Field Trip Grant  
• Northshore Public Education Foundation Grants
• 21 Acres Service Learning Grant
• Library Classroom Grant  
• $16,000 The Music Project Foundation Grant
• $1000 New Bothell Chamber of Commerce SAS Scholarship Grant
• $10,000 awarded to senior scholarships
• Terry Husseman Public School Awards
• 2008 Sustainable Schools Award