Bellevue High School

My daughter, a high achiever motivated to go to a good college, thrived in this school. After graduation, she is accepted to the honors program of a nationwide well known university. The level of academics in this school is comparable to college prep private schools found throughout the region. So any student with college aspirations and motivation to work hard will find what they are looking for in this school.
--Submitted by a parent

If you're son is looking for a football experience that no other school on the westcoast can offer, this is the school for him. the football team is one of the top programs in the country and the staff is hands down one of the if not the best in the country. It is loaded with ex-nfl and college players who truly care about the kids. The players learn valuable life lessons through the program, lessons that cannot be taught in the classroom. The coaching staff stresses progress and success in the classroom and will not allow a player to play if they feel he is slacking in school. The basketball teams as well as the lacrosse team are very talented as well.
--Submitted by a parent

Bellevue High has good academics if you take the AP classes, although they do push AP too much on students who are not ready or capable of it. However, if you want to take more than 3 or 4 AP classes, they will try to block you. I also found that the only way to move out of an AP class that I didn't want to take was to move into a different AP class, which reflects badly on their focus on AP classes versus what the students need. The counseling system is very poorly set up. Some counselors just don't care about their students, while those who do care are overwhelmed and slowly pushed under by the sheer number of students hey are responsible for (5 counselors for ~1400 kids). The administration in general is extremely unhelpful, with the exception of the people in the registrar's office.
--Submitted by a student

Serious need of better counselors. Parents need to educate themselves about how to get their kids into college. Don't need an outside coach, just get engaged in the process. My daughter has an IEP and is a 4.0 student. Kids need to advocate for themselves with teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

My son got into Stanford University and MIT from Bellevue high.
--Submitted by a parent

Bellevue is easily one of the best schools in the state. The student population is way more diverse than people say, it's demographics are rapidly changing with its generally upper-class neighborhoods. Academic programs are stellar, the majority of students take and pass AP courses. Obviously it has some great sports programs as well. In recent years other clubs and organizations are becoming involved. The mostly student-run LINK program has made tremendous progress in changing the overall attitude of students at BHS. Overall, Bellevue is an academically challenging school that will prepare your student for whatever they decide to do post-high school. Mike Bacigalupi and several staff members have helped transform this to a stereotypical 'upper class' school into a place where students are safe and learn about the real world.
--Submitted by a parent

BHS is a very excellent high school! caring teachers, great extra curriculars and great student body involvement. Bellevue is easily the best academically and sports wise! One con is that some courses are more advanced than they should be. for example, freshman are learning sophomore math in HIAG 2! Meaning sophomores take 11th grade level math in HIAT 3! What is the point in that when only basic 10th grade math skills for the WASL?
--Submitted by a student

*Counselling is abyssmal. Check out the huge student:counselor ratio.
--Submitted by a parent

Tha academic programs are excellent. My son enjoys taking musical course which merges into curriculum and gives students many chances of participate all kinds of orchestra. ESL (English as second language) teacher is very experienced. If anyone needs ESL class, this is the best one. Generally speaking, parents are highly involved in school activity.
--Submitted by a parent

A strong public school with a wonderful music program. Extracurricular activities could be stronger, as could parental involvment. Also, rather privileged student-body population.
--Submitted by a former student