Mount Si High School

Every good review for this school is from a parent in denial or a staff member. This school does not deserve the good reviews it is getting.
—Submitted by a student

Love the schools, love the teachers, hate the administration. I have never encountered a group so unwilling to listen to differing opinions or answer questions to such a new concept as a freshman campus. Instead they line up the troops and bomb you until you go away.
—Submitted by a parent

If I could give no stars I would. This school does not deserve a 9. I have had 3 kids go this school and 1 graduate, and getting her to graduate was like pulling teeth. When my first child was in her 2nd semester of 11th grade the counselor then decided it was time to intervene and say she will not be graduating on time. Counselors should work with you student through their whole high school career. The staff is infamous for letting students slip through the cracks. However there are a few teachers here that I absolutely adore, because they got done what needed to be done. One of my biggest pet peeves is their class fees. Why should a class have a class fee? Public education should have no cost, especially in core classes. Not everyone can afford these prices and then your students graduation gets held back if you don't pay the fines. To me, seems as though the school is more worried about paying sports related things rather than the education. if I had to move back to the valley, my kids would not go to Mt Si! Look for another school!
—Submitted by a parent

I think the teachers, or hopeful parents (denial?) are rating the school high. The teachers (most) dont teach! The classes are way to easy...the new freshman campus is pulling teachers away and now class sizes are anticipated to be greater than they are already at 30+. A school is only as good as their leaders....this one lacks big time. Neighboring districts refer to Mt Si as Mt "High" for its drug using students! No school is perfect, but this one does not deserve the ratings some have given! Lies...or just lack of perception?
—Submitted by a parent

Just take note that all the good reviews are by parents. NOT by the students who actually go there. Ask me or anyone of my friends and we'll tell you the exact opposite.
—Submitted by a student

Mount Si is committed to excellence and my two kids are receiving an excellent education. In addition, they love going to school at Mt. Si, there is a strong sense of belonging to the school and there are many sports and extra-curricular programs for the kids to stay involved and engaged. Administrators are outstanding and committed to making sure EVERY kids is prepared for post-high school life.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in his second year at Mt. Si High School. We found that with the support of the teachers ,counselors and the principal helped keep him on track. He enjoys the school and has been exposed to the wide variety of classes that Mt. Si offers. He says he would not change a thing. He loves MT Si. 25% of the teachers are new since the new principle started. His ability to attract talented teachers that can connect with the students has changed the culture at Mt. Si. Mount Si High School Principal John H. Belcher has been named the KingCo League Distinguished Principal of the Year. The award, presented by the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals (WASSP), recognizes principals with deep commitments to students, academic excellence and positive school-community relations. Next year 2013-2014 we are looking forward to the first year with new freshman campus. This will reduce the number of number of students on the main campus and will allow Mt. Si to offer STEM classes to the incoming freshman and to the upper classes as well. When you are considering Mt. Si High school I suggest you make an appointment with Mr. Belcher to discuss your expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

Mount Si has turned it around in the past few years. We have two in school there, and one soon to be, and would not consider sending them any other place. With the new principal, teachers are more engaged, there is new/younger staff eager and willing to teach. There is plenty of help for struggling students. There is a wide range of classes from a vast array of AP offerings to construction technologies, video, art, languages and great science offerings like Meteorology and Astronomy. There is a robotics class and computer video class. The culinary arts program is amazing and highly supported. Essentially, something for everyone. The athletics are wonderful, with caring and supportive coaches.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had one daughter graduate from MSHS and have one more to go. I moved to this district because I preferred it over Issaquah and we weren't disappointed. My daughter got accepted at all colleges to which she applied. She had a rigorous education at Mount Si and loved being a part of band.
—Submitted by a parent

MSHS has been a wonderful school for both of my sons. The oldest is graduating in June and will be attending college in September. The courses he was able to take prepared him for this next step. class offerings were good and he was able to take advantage of many AP courses.
—Submitted by a parent

My son loves this school. The new principal, Mr. Belcher, connects with students at Mount Si and empowers them. He is making lots of changes that are motivating staff in positive ways. My student has had great teachers who challenge him, and care that he learns. We look forward to the new STEM opporutunities that all 9th graders will experience next fall at Mount Si's Freshman Campus.
—Submitted by a parent

The current population of students and staff at Mount Si are fantastic! For the most part, it is a community filled with bright, polite, committed students, and staff. The Principal, Mr. Belcher, new in 9/2011, has a strong connection with the kids and is promoting an attitude of success for all and a student-centered environment. Mount Si High has made considerable improvements over the several years and offers a wide course selection with a rich science, construction and technologies dept., AP and Honors courses, multiple foreign languages, award winning: gymnasts, cheerleaders, debate team, football players, and MORE! The students come from award winning Snoqualmie Valley middle schools that rival and even surpass other Eastside and Mercer Island schools with better 'reputations'. It's time to look at the facts, instead of relying on old negative incidents and stereotypes about Mount Si and the statements made by those who choose to make negative reports. There will always be those with a less than perfect experience. Now is the time for those with good news, to share it!
—Submitted by a parent

Mount Si High School of today is not the high school your parents went to. It is on the cutting edge and quickly becoming one of the best highs schools in the state. Principal Belcher is leading the charge and has made many staff changes to meet the demands of the community that now encompasse's the Snoqualmie Valley. The choices in cirriculum is vast and there is a fit for EVERY student. My son loves this school and is flourishing. He will easily have his choice of colleges when he graduates in 2 years. I encourage you to really do your research on how great the Snoqualmie Valley school district has become.
—Submitted by a parent

I personally think that the school is horrible. The peers were fine, i guess, but the curriculum was atrocious. When i transferred to this school, i expected to be put in a single course that challenged me. Instead i got put in below average classes, and i stopped caring about my grades. Up to a month before school was out, i pulled my grades from Cs to B+s and As. I was told that i wouldn't be able to understand geometry. When time came for geometry classes, i sat on my laptop the entire class period. The teachers were kind though. I blame the counselors for being incompetent, and the curriculum for being too easy.
—Submitted by a student

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.

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