BEST High School (Kirkland, Washington)

B.E.S.T. High School is an alternative high school in the Houghton neighborhood of Kirkland, Washington, operated by the Lake Washington School District. It is called a 'choice' school because enrollment is purely by choice.. It maintains a maximum of 190 students to maintain a low student–teacher ratio.

B.E.S.T. High School
Location
10903 NE 53rd Street
Kirkland, Washington

United States
Coordinates47°39′20″N 122°11′46″W
Information
TypePublic
School districtLake Washington School District
PrincipalJane Andrew
Faculty11 (on FTE basis)[1]
Grades9 to 12
Enrollment177[1] (2005-06)
Student to teacher ratio16.1[1]
Websiteschools.lwsd.org/best

Description

The school's name is an acronym for Better Education for Students and Teachers. The school serves students who do not function well in a more conventional school environment.[2] Reasons for enrolling most often revolve around difficulties at another, more traditional high school. These reasons can include discipline issues, addiction, teen pregnancy, learning disabilities/differences, difficulty adjusting socially etc. With a very low student–teacher ratio students are able to get much more one-on-one time.[3]

History

B.E.S.T. High School began in 1967 at the old Collins School site.[4]

In 1999, B.E.S.T. High School moved to its current location after the district opened its new Administrative Resource Center in Redmond Town Center.[5]

On October 8, 2003, BEST was the only school in Washington State to be visited by the USDA's "BAC" Mobile on its nationwide tour with physicians who facilitate all-day workshops and activities to promote food safety.[6]

In 2003, the BEST H.S. science department was recognized with the NSTA / Toyota TAPESTRY Award for Innovation in Science Literacy Education for its all-school “Senate Science Hearing."[7]

In 2006, King County (WA) recognized the BEST H.S. science department with the "Earth Heroes at School" award for a school-wide environmental education project.[8]

As of September 2008, the BEST H.S. has been joined by another school, The Family Learning Center. A former principal, Jane Andrews, cited budget issues and administrative efficiency as the reasons for the merge.

In 2009, AMGEN recognized the BEST H.S. science department, which collaborated with Shoreline Community College and the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, with the "AMGEN Award for Science Teaching Excellence" (AASTE.)[9][10]

Rock School

BEST is the site of Rock School, a non-profit organization offering training programs for aspiring rock musicians, ages 12 to 21.[11][12][13]

References
  1. "Best Sr High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  2. Young Kirkland artist doesn’t let physical challenges get in his way, Kirkland Reporter, December 1, 2008
  3. National Center for Education Statistics
  4. "BEST H.S. Webpage". Archived from the original on 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  5. "History of LWSD" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  6. Seattle Times article: "Spreading Word about Food Safety."
  7. National Science Teachers Association NSTA Toyota Tapestry Past Winners: Detwiler Archived 2012-07-27 at the Wayback Machine
  8. KING COUNTY Natural Resources and Parks King County celebrates the Earth Heroes of local schools Archived 2009-06-27 at the Wayback Machine
  9. AASTE Winners AMGEN Award Past Winners
  10. KIRKLAND REPORTER Detwiler honored for Science Teaching Excellence May 11, 2009
  11. Brian Calvert, Will The Next Springsteen Or Madonna Come From Kirkland?, KOMO-TV News, Aug 30, 2006
  12. About Us, Rock School website
  13. Nick Perry, Rock School feeds teens' dreams, Seattle Times, December 11, 2002
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