Lake Washington High School

Look, I've gone to only one public high school, so I can't really say whether this is a good or bad school in comparison to any other. For this reason, I've decided to play it safe and give the school two stars. I am an ex-Quest program student (part-time at Sandberg El, Full time Kamiakin JHS) and I was terribly disappointed in most every class offered. A few teachers there were decent, more laid back and made an effort to get you to like them and the work you were doing. They would give you a little wiggle room so that you could truly own your work and be take their studies in your own direction. The vast majority, however, were all notes and worksheets. Some of the administrative staff was alright, but its been largely replaced by pseudo-authoritarian figures. I suppose I wrote a couple good essays in my one and a half years there, (transferred to LW Technical College to do their Academy program. I HIGHLY recommend it, for students of any GPA) but I mostly just slept and did lots of drugs. Parents of '12, be sure to ask your kids about 'Thizzin Thursdays,' if you have a chance. That should be a laugh and a half. The house system is also a little unsettling.
—Submitted by a student

Lake Washington High School is outstanding for many reasons. They have a very proactive principal who is driven to make this school a top one in the district. They recently earned 3 Washington State Achievement Awards: Overall Excellence, Language Arts, & Overall Improvement. This school offers excellent honors and AP classes. The staff communicates with parents and are very available for students and care about their success. The stunning, brand new school was opened in Fall 2011. They are one of the smaller high schools in the Lake Washington District which is beneficial for students and staff getting to know one another.
—Submitted by a parent

The Staff at Lake Washington High School are very attentive to each students needs and highly encourages the best from each student!! I would recommend Lake Washington HS!

I struggled with some personal issues in 10th grade and the school was awesome at helping me out with that. I was able to take the time i needed to get my life back together. Upon returning to school i relized what I was missing all along. That motivation is key in doing well in school. Sadly I found this motivation from only a few teachers most all of it (motivation) had to come from myself. That would be my biggest problem, the teachers, good or bad, are not always more than just individuals that seem to have a base of information but not always the means to get that information to us. That is not to say there are not awesome teachers at this school. Some the the most helpful people in my life are teachers as LW.
—Submitted by a student

This school has its qualities but I have serious misgivings about the principal Brad Malloy who seems to worry more about being buddies with the football team than running a school. For the neighborhood, the academic standards should be much higher. (See Bellevue, ICS)
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated with the class of 2005, I could say that it seems due to a recent visit, that the quality of the school has dramatically gone down. I know for a fact that with my graduating class, majority of the dedicated and quality teachers left only to be replaced with incompetent teachers. This school does not prepare you well for college. This school needs to set it's priorities straight, as education should be the number one priority over other things. This school is highly unmotivated and has no leadership. The educational standards in this school are not very high. Do not go to this school if you want a good education, maybe if you want a sports career or something. There are other better schools out there such as Bellevue or Newport High School.

This school has great potential but has no leadership. There are some good teachers, but quite a bit if deadwood too. The math department is absolutely horrible. The prinicipal is extremely weak and will not deal with poor teachers. Good leadership could make this a great school. My kids are all college bound, but this school was not helpful. The elementary school (Peter Kirk) and Junior High (KJH) were great.
—Submitted by a parent

School is great, but the kids moral and participation are low. We need to work on that
—Submitted by a student

I am a junior and i feel very welcome in this establishment but it is not a perfect school. A perfect school is as hard to find as the perfect __(insert something here)___.
—Submitted by a student

Alot of the teachers are below average. The schools government system doesn't work. They go ou of thier way not to do thier job. The teachers don't trust the students, so nothing gets done. The teaching is below average, and the leadership in teachers to students is nonexistant. Alot of bad techers, can't choose classes or change teachers, even if they are incompetant. Alot of the classes are jokes. If you do well here, you will probably not do well in college.
—Submitted by a student

good teachers. nice kids most of all. good curriculum. teachers are friendly.
—Submitted by a former student

I have been a student at Lake Washington High School for several years now. I beleive that it is an overall good school. The academic program is highly branched and the extra-curriculars are varied and well organized. In general, the PTSA in not that involved in school since it is run mostly by the school administration with some imput from the ASB officers.
—Submitted by a student

Lake Washington is a great school. The math and science departments are very strong as well as the arts. The administration does a good job with student discpline.
—Submitted by a teacher

Wonderful school my daughter really loved it.
—Submitted by a parent