The Bear Creek School

Wrong assumptions, 9/2/10. High performing talented students with kind caring dispositions and their families can and do experience the negative issues described in many of these reviews. There's many good families and staff with integrity and commitment to Jesus Christ, but also everyone else in between. Christian schools certainly should strive to put the kingdom of God first and truly prioritize Gods agenda through the infrastructure to build up relationships and build up the children in the process of educating them. A genuine community in the name of Christ should be undergirding academic and athletic achievement. The priority of God's purpose for the school should not be eclipsed by what is temporary success as much as we do want to support our children to grow, do, and serve well. May it not be at the expense of genuine Christianity and the eternal perspective. We're missing out on true excellence.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has a bullying problem which is well-known among most parents. Unfortunately, the school has no set standards on how to remedy or discourage bullying. Our child and others were physically injured and bullied by another student on multiple occasions at school, in front of teachers & classmates. When brought to the teacher and administration's attention, their response was "what proof do you have besides your child's report and it seems to us that you're just being too sensitive." They take a very defensive approach to any criticism or complaints.
--Submitted by a parent

I truly believe my kids are getting an excellent education at Bear Creek. They have been attending since kindergarten and 1st grade and now are in 6th and 10th grade. The classical approach in a Christian environment is really preparing them for college. The teachers truly care about the students and the overall sense of community is great.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent education, couldn't be happier. We are the parents of two students and have been at TBCS for ten years now. Our ninth grader is better educated then either of us were at graduation from public high school. Teaching the students how to be critical thinkers and not followers. The academics are rigorous and not for everyone. The only sports the school lacks are football and swimming. Lacrosse is now available for boys. This may be a small school, but the end results are very big.
--Submitted by a parent

Small school, with corresponding disadvantages. Limited sports. The discipline is a joke. Our son was physically attacked by another student on multiple ocassions RIGHT IN THE CLASSROOM (things that would result in automatic suspension in public school) and nothing was done. The students themselves scoff at the supposed administrators. This space is not large enough to tell the full story. Agree completely with 5/3/2011 review - quite a few spoiled brats to be sure. Insular culture. There are a handful of very good teachers, but the rest are so-so. Unfortunately, the culture and environment impede learning. Ditto on TCBS handbook ... the school doesn't really have a code of conduct. Also, our son was independently tested (by a well-regarded professional) as advanced in math, and had a recommendation for honors math from prior math teacher, but the school put him in lower math saying he failed their own brief evaluation by one question! As we find out, the truth is, they didn't have enough spots in the advanced class. This school's small size forces them to often compromise the best interests of individual students. Don't expect a well-rounded education here.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall, a better school than most we visited but the alternative is mediocre at best and vulgar at worst. We believed the marketing material.This would then be a great school if it adhered to these stated standards and practices, but it does not. Most disappointing , is its " Christian in name only" families. While it does not reach the low level of indecency and disrespect that is evidenced in some private or PC public schools, these are not the standards to gauge TBCS Christian commitment. Students can be mean spirited, self-indulged, spoiled, elitist and demeaning. Parents do everything for their "extremely bright child" to stay ahead of others including reviewing others test grades and gathering or sharing test answers. This is way too much parent involvement, IMHO. Administrators tolerate behavior problem students (disrupting class, physical attacks on students, verbally abusive or vulgar action toward others, etc) with lip service only from President on down. Do not expect values of TBCS handbook or materials. Knowing this going in, we would have kept on looking for a true Christian school in word and action for our children. We just grin and bear (no pun intended) it now.
--Submitted by a parent

After five years of public elementary school in the Lake Washington School District on the Sammamish Plateau, we ditched that and headed to The Bear Creek School. What a change! The kids were actually learning concrete knowledge and there was no political correctness, and the homework was actually useful, instead of "draw a picture of a feeling" (yes, that was really a homework assignment at Mead in 2nd grade). The students were so much more civil and substantive, and there was no swearing on the elementary campus like at Mead. The three Rs are definitely taught here, and your child's precious school time will not be wasted. Totally worth it. We couldn't be happier, and both of our kids went on to finish out their high school years at TBCS. Wouldn't go anywhere else! Strong math program. My kids had the opportunity to play large roles in many extracurricular activities in ways they would not have a chance to at a larger public school.
--Submitted by a parent

We started at the Bear Creek School in kindergarten. My son is now going into 6th grade. The K- 5 teachers are amazing! However, the administration is stuck in the 90's! They are very resistant to change and anything new! IF YOU HAVE A CHILD,INTERESTED IN SPORTS, THIS IS NOT THE SCHOOL FOR YOU!!! My son has been on the A-B honor role and the homework was not a problem. The Bear Creek School makes it clear that they prefer Girl's because they are leas trouble for the teachers! If you have a boy or girl that loves chess club or math club, this is your school! They clearly look down on the kid's that are athletic!
--Submitted by a parent

From a student's perspective, this is an excellent school. Sure, there's a lot of homework, but it serves a purpose--it's not just "busywork". Also, good time-management is practiced, students have time to participate in athletics, the arts, community service, etc. (I play two varsity sports and am actively involved in other activities). Teachers are excellent: they legitimately care about students as whole people, not just as kids they get paid to have sit in class. Student conduct, on the whole, is also good, and rarely are there disciplinary issues. I will admit that the middle school (7th and 8th grades) is a weaker aspect of the school: when I was there, the atmosphere felt micromanaged and the curriculum seemed weaker than that which I experienced in lower (elementary) and upper (high) school. As a whole, the school helps students become intelligent, balanced individuals prepared for college and life.

Unfortunately, with the school's entire focus being on achieving academic excellence, they have neglected the other core fundamentals that make up a healthy, well-balanced young adult: 1. Time for outside activities (athletics, serving ministries, time just to be friends and family, etc). The hours and hours of endless homework, which primarily start in the sixth grade on up to 12th, effectively turns the student into a one dimensional person. Our children left here and could not be happier at their other academically challenging but yet far more balanced school.
--Submitted by a parent