Mount Si High School

As a former student who was dismissed by this school and sent to an alternative school I am deeply disgusted. Mount Si High School sent a student (me) away, a potential graduate, struggling with health problems to a school where I was bored and eventually took my GED. Soon thereafter I went to school at a community college and made the honor roll with a 4.0 my first quarter there. The fact that the counseling center, whose job is to help those in need, did not help me graduate despite having been in the honors programs throughout middle school and working my hardest to maintain my grades despite being sick, disgusts me. The fact that I am now on my way to getting my PhD and I have to get my diploma through my college, disgusts me. The counselors are horrible. Absolutely horrible. The administration does not put the kids first and people like me lose their dream of wearing a cap and gown with their friends. Unless you will actively fight for your student's rights, or don't want to deal with incompetent staff, do yourself (and your child) a favor and go to another school. It is worth the drive and effort. It may even save your child the shame of not graduating with their peers.

Ineffective math program. Unsupportive administration. Our particular counselor did not care about my children and their individual needs. We are looking to move out of Snoqualmie to get out of this school district. We had a difficult time with my daughter's math teacher and went to talk to the principal about it. Mr Belcher advised us that we should make sure our daughter was not lying to us. WHAT? and that if change was going to happen my daugher needed to confront the teahcer herself. She did. Things got worse. I moved her from that school
--Submitted by a parent

Improved test scores are due to the changing demographic of the Snoqualmie Valley area. Total lack of leadership in the administration. They would rather sweep things under the rug than deal with parents. Students are given no respect by the administration. No wonder there are so many discipline problems. Police are given access to minor aged students during the school day without parental notification! There are very few quality teachers. the truly outstanding ones teach AP classes so if your child is average or below they will not have the opportunity to be instructed by them. Grade points are greatly effected by teachers not entering grades properly or keeping up with paperwork.
--Submitted by a parent

I have always been a strong supporter of public schools. I always told my children that "school is what you make it." Mt. Si has changed my mind on that. I still support public schools, but won't be sending my other two children to Mt. Si. Principal(s) is completely ineffective, half the teachers are marginal at best, particularly math teachers. Several incidents have shown that all Admin wants to do is keep their rears covered. Student body is not much better - AP classes are dropped from the schedule due to lack of interest. It's a crummy place and I would not recommend it to anyone. Do what you can to get your kids out of district.
--Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, this school is not equip to handle "tough cases." When our child had an inappropriate relationship with a school district employee and tried to run away, the principal actually told us that we should let her move in with that person!
--Submitted by a parent

very discouraging school, if you are a student, or parent of a student with a learning disability.
--Submitted by a parent

School is great. Solid leadership, fine teachers, good parent involvement, safe environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Mount Si has made great strides over the past 4 years. My daughter has had mostly very good teachers. Switching teachers in math improved her situation. We have been pleased with the support offered by the new one, including more time to complete exams. Math tutoring is offered four days per week after school. Teachers are always willing to meet with us, and her counselor is wonderful. Things will be even better with the proposed freshman academy coming in the fall. Parent involvement is improving as well, and I think that is the biggest factor. I would suggest that anyone with concerns attend the monthly PTSA meeting (usually the first Monday of the month in the library) at 6:30 p.m. That meeting is followed by the Parent Advisory Group meeting, and Principal Randy Taylor is available for questions at that time.
--Submitted by a parent

School has been seriously overcrowded for years. Students who need help fall through the cracks. Counselors are pretty much worthless. They (counselors) tend to coerce students to take the classes they want instead of listening to the student's needs and doing what is in the best interests of the students. Counselors also are hard for students to talk to due to the attitudes that the counselors show the students. Education is not much of a priority at this school. Administration ignores issues for as long as possible instead of dealing with them before things get out of control. Administration doesn't keep teachers in check when teachers step out of line and thus students have little respect for the teachers or the administration. Too much focus on the graduation portfolio and state testing. Seems administration is more concerned with test results than making sure students can go on to college successfully.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall a very good school, early in my time there, there were several fights every few weeks, but with the remodel, the addition of cameras in the halls has stopped those. Some of the teachers don't relate to well with the students, and the teachers seemed to focus a lot of time and attention on WASL scores. The counselors are great, and are very interested in seeing the students do well. Mount Si, is one of the few schools in the area that have a club for those interested not only in video but audio as well, giving the students an opportunity to both act as a sound engineer at various events but also as a DJ for school dances, using some top of the line dj equipment. I had a great time there, and if i could go back i would without hesitation.
--Submitted by a student