Schools

LWSD Introduces Three-Period High School 'Signature Programs'

By 2014, all high schools in the district will offer at least one thematic, STEM-focused program for juniors and seniors.

High school students in the Lake Washington School District will soon have new options for exploring career tracks in science, technology, engineering and math—collectively known as STEM disciplines.

Starting this fall, LWSD will begin rolling out thematic "signature programs" to junior and senior high school students across the district. At least one signature offering will be available at each high school by 2014-2015.

Will your child be participating in a signature program next year? Tell us in the comments section.

Find out what's happening in Redmondwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The three-period instructional blocks will focus on disciplines such as global health, engineering, sustainability and digital media/game design. Students will able to enroll in the signature programs through their school's regular course selection process.

“Every high school graduate should find viable ways of pursuing both a career and a meaningful post-secondary degree or credential,” LWSD Superintendent Traci Pierce said in a news release. “The concept of work-linked learning can be extraordinarily powerful in engaging students.”

Find out what's happening in Redmondwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

STEM education is quickly becoming a key focus of many school districts around the country, including LWSD. The district's new STEM secondary school opened in Redmond this year, which raised concern among some parents that science-focused learning opportunities would be lacking at other schools, according to LWSD spokeswoman Kathryn Reith.

"This is one of the ways to ensure that there are strong STEM programs at all of our high schools," she said.

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation, Microsoft and Waste Management have all provided funding for the launch of the new signature programs.

Here is where the programs will be offered in the 2013-2014 school year:

  • Emerson High School: Sustainability 
  • Juanita High School: Global Health
  • Redmond High School: Global Health: Policies, Problems & Solutions
  • STEM: Environmental Engineering & Sustainable Design; Digital Media and Game Design; Forensics/Psychology

The following offerings will be added in 2014-2015:

  • Eastlake High School: Innovation by Design
  • International Community School: Grand Challenges of Engineering
  • Lake Washington High School: Engineering

Students who would like to participate in a signature program not offered at their home school may apply for a variance to attend a different school, Reith said, but bussing between schools will not be provided.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Redmond