Edmonds School District

Enrollment, 1995-96: 20,686 Headquarters: 20420 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA 98036-7400 Phone: 670-7000

Situated in South Snohomish County, the district serves the cities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Brier and the town of Woodway.

Superintendent Brian Benzel has led Edmonds - the largest district in Snohomish County and the sixth-largest in the state - to become a model of the sorts of education reform planned for the entire state by the turn of the century. The district is one of five in the area working in alliance to try different aspects of this state-mandated reform. The alliance's efforts are mostly paid for by private corporations and foundations.

One of the district's struggles in recent years has been dealing with increased diversity. About 18 percent are students of color, and racial tension has erupted more than once in the high schools, prompting officials to increase diversity training.

The district has formed a partnership with Edmonds Community College to help students make the transition from high school to post-secondary education.

While some schools in the district perform well on standardized tests, others do not, and the district as a whole has seen some recent test scores drop below the 50th percentile.

After three failed attempts, a $117.85 million bond measure was passed in 1994 to build a new Edmonds-Woodway High school, expected to open in 1998, and to remodel Meadowdale High School. Residents this year approved a $2 million technology levy to pay for equipment and wiring.

--------------------------- Edmonds-Woodway High School ---------------------------

23200 100th Ave. W., Edmonds 670-7900

Test proficiency: Below average. Proficiency trend: Down. UW grades: About average. Stability: Insuff. data.

The numbers: Three-period day; 1,344 students (83% white, 4% African-American, 9% Asian-American, 2% Hispanic, 2% Native American). 81 classroom teachers (99% white, 1% Asian-American). Educational philosophy: 4.

Praise: Variety of programs to serve different needs - International Baccalaureate, arts-based school, career planning, vocational programs including auto prep.

Criticism: Facilities (new school to be built)

Curriculum highlights: International Baccalaureate program - rigorous, two-year program offering college-level course work and an internationally recognized diploma. Four-year career education program.

Other highlights: orchestra, Arts Academy.

Activities include: Drama, band, orchestra, choir, dance, debate, newspaper, yearbook, art-based school, cheerleading.

Sports: Track, soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, cross-country, swimming. Boys: baseball, football, wrestling. Girls: softball, volleyball.

Safety: Two campus security personnel and one on-campus police officer.

Parent organizations: Parent Booster Club and Parent Music Booster Club.

Tops in: New education paths.

Watch for: International Baccalaureate program is in its beginning stages. New school building will be finished in three years.

-------------------- Lynnwood High School

--------------------

3001 184th St. S.W., Lynnwood 670-7520

Test proficiency: Below average. Proficiency trend: Down. UW grades: Below average. Stability: Above average.

The numbers: Six-period day; 1,266 students (75% white, 5% African-American, 14% Asian-American, 4% Hispanic, 2% Native-American). 70 classroom teachers (97% white, 1% Asian-American, 1% Hispanic). Educational philosophy: 2.

Praise: Variety of classes/activities . . . students who take advantage of offerings do well . . . athletics . . . vocational/technical education, including visual communication/graphics, construction and horticulture program . . . school in transition.

Criticism: Teacher/administrator relations . . . school in transition . . . academic expectations aren't high enough.

Curriculum highlights: Interactive Math project. Lynnwood Classroom of Tomorrow. Integrated social studies and English with technology.

Other highlights: Strong track and cross-country programs.

Activities include: Drama, band, orchestra, choir, dance, debate, newspaper, yearbook.

Sports: Track, soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, cross-country, swimming. Boys: baseball, football, wrestling. Girls: softball, volleyball.

Safety: Regular fire, earthquake, lockdown drills. Two campus monitors. Police officer on campus.

Parent organizations: Faculty/parent association.

Tops in: State AA champs in boys' track ('93-'94), cross-country ('93-'94, '94-'95). District champs in boys' track, cross-country ('93-'94, '94-'95, '95-'96). Washington State Educator of the Year.

Watch for: Senior project, Certificate of Mastery, alternate schedule, career pathways program. Possible reorganization of school into a junior division that concentrates on fundamental academic and personal skills, with students working toward earning a Certificate of Mastery, and a senior division that would include Running Start (taking courses at college for both college and high-school credit), internships/mentorships, senior projects, college in the high school, service learning.

---------------------- Meadowdale High School ----------------------

6002 168th S.W., Lynnwood 670-7650

Test proficiency: About average. Proficiency trend: Up. UW grades: About average. Stability: Below average.

The numbers: Three-period day; 1,236 students (84% white, 3% African-American, 9% Asian-American, 2% Hispanic, 2% Native-American). 67 classroom teachers (96% white, 1% Asian-American, 1% Hispanic, 1% Native-American). Educational philosophy: 3.

Praise: College-prep program . . . highest test scores in district . . . health occupations program.

Criticism: Communication between administration and teachers . . . building, although it's soon to be remodeled.

Curriculum highlights: Extended class periods (three 100-minute classes per day). Five advanced-placement offerings. Architectural/engineering internship program.

Other highlights: Nationally recognized drill team.

Activities include: Drama, band, orchestra, choir, dance, newspaper, yearbook, Scott's Hi-Q academic quiz program, chess club, international club, peer mediators.

Sports: Track, soccer, tennis, basketball, cross-country, swimming. Boys: baseball, wrestling, football, golf. Girls: softball, volleyball.

Safety: Full-time security person assigned to monitor campus. Lynnwood police officer has office in the building.

Parent organizations: Site council, PTA (budget $5,000), athletic and music booster clubs.

Tops in: National Dance Team Championship 1995. Staff award: Certificate of Merit, a national award given to 11 teachers annually.

Watch for: New high school by spring 1998.

----------------------------- Mountlake Terrace High School ----------------------------- 21801 44th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace 670-7776

Test proficiency: About average. Proficiency trend: Up. UW grades: Below average. Stability: Above average.

The numbers: Six-period day, three different start and dismissal times for students. 1,665 students (76% white, 4%-African American, 15% Asian-American, 4% Hispanic, 1% Native-American). 94 classroom teachers (95% white, 2% African-American, 1% Asian-American, 2% Hispanic). Educational philosophy: 4.75

Praise: Innovative program . . . staff and administration open to new ideas ("Staff works together to meet common goals for student learning.") . . . caring environment . . . senior project . . . variety of classes for variety of students . . . facilities . . . broad vocational/technical offerings, including manufacturing technology, applied material science.

Criticism: Number of students . . . overcrowding . . . has three start times . . . needs more alternatives for at-risk students.

Curriculum highlights: All students must earn C or better. Senior project with public presentation required for graduation. Students must pass prerequisites before taking further courses within a discipline.

Other highlights: Award-winning school newspaper. Jazz band (winner of AAA division at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival). AAA State Champion in girls' high jump (two years). Debate team.

Activities include: Drama, band or orchestra, choir, dance, debate, newspaper, yearbook, chess club, bowling club, hiking club.

Sports: Track, soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, cross-country, swimming. Boys: baseball, football, wrestling. Girls: softball, volleyball.

Safety: Two campus-security employees, plus a Mountlake Terrace police officer. Staff encouraged to be proactive in monitoring student behavior.

Parent organizations: Site council, music boosters, debate parents, sports team boosters.

Tops in: League champs in girls' volleyball ('95-'96), boys' soccer ('94). Math Club second in region, 1995, fourth in region, 1996. Debate, numerous awards and 13 to state in 1995-96. Junior Statesmen of America chapter of the year for NW region (government/politics/debate). School newspaper second in nation in 1995, third in nation in 1996, from Journalism Education Association. Staff awards: Selected by Redbook magazine April 1996 for Best in State award. School for 21st Century award, 1990-94. 1995 Dow Jones Newspaper Fund distinguished adviser. State journalism adviser of the year. Fulbright scholars. Partners in Science Fellowship funded by M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Wesco soccer coach of the year.

Watch for: Further adjustment and fine-tuning in the next two years to align ourselves with the state essential learnings being developed as part of education reform.