The Issaquah School District is educating the innovators, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders
of tomorrow. Students here set the state and national high-water mark for standardized
test scores, but Issaquah teachers aim for more. They create passionate lifelong learners
who want to achieve their personal and professional potential in a rapidly changing world.
The district has grown with Issaquah over the past 100 years as the city transformed from a sleepy mining town to the heart of a vibrant economic and cultural region. Almost 16,000 students are now enrolled in the district’s 24 schools, which cover a span of 110
square miles in seven municipalities.
The District serves a generally upper middle-class community, with notable pockets of diversity. Residents lead and work at local corporate giants such as Microsoft, Costco, Starbucks, Tully’s Coffee, and Boeing. It’s no surprise that community members here are exceptionally tech-savvy and involved in local education in a sophisticated way. Schools have 100% PTSA membership or close to it. Administrators partner with a parent coalition that has effectively lobbied for education finance reform. Business members help shape career curriculum. And voters consistently pass school ballot measures.
Issaquah schools offer a well-rounded curriculum. Students excel in gifted magnet programs, in the district’s alternative high school, and in cooperative career and technical classes. District teachers are respected professionals:90% of community members have
rated them “excellent” in ongoing polling, and 63% of staff have master’s degrees or doctorates.
While Issaquah schools are always academically celebrated—Pine Lake Middle School
just earned the prestigious national Blue Ribbon School honor—their true character
shines through the passion, compassion, creativity, and diverse interests of students and
staff. In the past several years, Issaquah’s honors symphony has traveled internationally;
schools raised more than $62,000 for tsunami relief; students won the state spelling and
geography bees; sports teams earned state championships; and a teacher represented the
U.S. in an international Latin dance competition in Helsinki.
The district has also been recognized for its fiscal management by earning the highest bond
rating of any school district in the state.
The Issaquah School District is truly world class.