Alternative schools in Seattle suburbs? (Bellevue, Kirkland: school districts, college, live in)

[jjinla]

In researching the schools in Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, etc. I have a hard time understanding all of these random alternative schools. Are they giving up on these kids and schlepping them to a lesser school or doing them a huge favor by sending kids that learn differently to schools that do a better job of teaching nontraditional styles well (as in, they still get into and flourish in college).

I have a very smart kid with ADHD that also happens to be a visual-spatial learner and I've yet to decide if public is an option long-term. Right now he's young but as soon as school gets harder I worry what will happen to him.

[Hemlock140]

I can only speak about Lake Washington, they are offering a variety of schools based on parent/student preference for the way the kids learn. Students are enrolled there by choice. They are not alternative schools in the sense of place for bad kids or slow learners, in fact may be the opposite. For example, the international school has more focus on international studies and languages. STEM is so popular there is a lottery to get in, and they focus on problem solving, technology and innovation.

[jojo7]

Here is a list of alternative schools in Seattle. I don't live in Seattle so I don't know much about them except for Salmon Bay because my son's friends have moved on to that school from his private school in Seattle. It's a lottery to get in like the ones in Bellevue. I believe it's from K-8 but you would have to check. All I can tell you is the parents I know personally that send their kids there love it.

I remember researching School No. 1 for my son but I'd have to be a Seattle resident and didn't follow through any further. I found a review and experience from a parent who explains the philosophy and attached the link below. Hope that helps.

Seattle School No. 1
Alternative School #1 at Pinehurst (AS 1) in Seattle, WA 98125 | Parents Connect Local


Alternative School No. 1
Alternative Elementary II at Decatur
Pathfinder Elementary
The Options Program at Seward
John Marshall High School
Nova Alternative High School
Salmon Bay School - Coho-NOMS
Summit K-12

[jjinla]

Thanks, AS 1 sounds perfect for my type of learner, but I'm trying not to land in Seattle PSs proper. Do Lake Washington, Bellevue or Issaquah have anything similar that you've heard about?

[jojo7]

Originally Posted by jjinla

Thanks, AS 1 sounds perfect for my type of learner, but I'm trying not to land in Seattle PSs proper. Do Lake Washington, Bellevue or Issaquah have anything similar that you've heard about?

Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a school like AS 1 in Bellevue. The only "alternative" school that fits your description is Bellevue Big Picture which is a middle school/high school that I have mentioned previously. Thought I would mention, it's only been two weeks at Big Picture School but so far my son really likes this school a lot. Very specific expectations and great organization skills are being inforced which exactly what my son needs to succeed with ADD.

Maybe Lake Washington or Issaquah has a school like AS 1 but I am not familiar with these school districts.

[kreebby]

A warning about alternative schools: I did go to a private alternative school for my ADHD and they did not have a strong educational curriculum and in fact the school functioned more like a special ed school than a school for different styles of learning. They didn't even offer advanced courses. So do a LOT of research before you decide. The other thing is that alternative schools aren't just for geniuses with adhd, they are also for kids with serious behavior problems so watch out.

I eventually switched to a private college preparatory high school in which I did a lot better. For me what made a world of difference was having the small class size (5-10 students instead of 20-30). The teacher was actually able to focus on me and cater to my style of learning instead of applying the same methods to two dozen students. Look into ALL the options. Sometimes just a regular old private school will help.

[Ira500]

Lake WA School District has the Community School:
Home - Community School

[jjinla]

Thanks. Yes, we are very wary about alternative schools as we want to ensure that they are truly college-track schools, not dumping grounds for problem kids. Big Picture touts a 95% college bound rate, which is reassuring, but we may indeed need to do private for at least him at some point once school gets harder.

It sounds like you were able to successfully manage your ADHD, which is fantastic. That is why unlike some other diagnoses, schools can make all the difference between success or failure. It's sad that all kids don't get that chance.

[jojo7]

Originally Posted by kreebby

A warning about alternative schools: I did go to a private alternative school for my ADHD and they did not have a strong educational curriculum and in fact the school functioned more like a special ed school than a school for different styles of learning. They didn't even offer advanced courses. So do a LOT of research before you decide. The other thing is that alternative schools aren't just for geniuses with adhd, they are also for kids with serious behavior problems so watch out.

I eventually switched to a private college preparatory high school in which I did a lot better. For me what made a world of difference was having the small class size (5-10 students instead of 20-30). The teacher was actually able to focus on me and cater to my style of learning instead of applying the same methods to two dozen students. Look into ALL the options. Sometimes just a regular old private school will help.

Alternative schools are definitely not a good fit for all. Depends what is going on specifically with your child. I have done so much research on schools for my son, I don't think I left a stone unturned. Bottom line is.... what's good for one child may not be good for another and that includes private schools and alternative schools. We have been burned by private schools and public so it really depends upon the school, the teachers and the head administrator and what their philosophy is on reaching students at all levels. It's difficult to find the perfect place but when you do, it makes a world of difference.

[BellevueNative]

Originally Posted by jjinla

Thanks. Yes, we are very wary about alternative schools as we want to ensure that they are truly college-track schools, not dumping grounds for problem kids. Big Picture touts a 95% college bound rate, which is reassuring, but we may indeed need to do private for at least him at some point once school gets harder.

It sounds like you were able to successfully manage your ADHD, which is fantastic. That is why unlike some other diagnoses, schools can make all the difference between success or failure. It's sad that all kids don't get that chance.

jjinla, if I were you, I think I would look into the Lake Washington SD. It has a reputation for doing good things for kids with ADHD, Asperger's and autism. The area has lots of very successful and smart, but older, parents who work at Microsoft and Amazon, and therefore the schools have seen more kids who are highly intelligent but don't learn in the same ways as some other kids. My boss has her kids in the LWSD because one of them has Asperger's, and she's mentioned to me that the district has more resources for that than many other districts. You might want to visit some of the schools there to find out more about how they're working with kids with similar needs to your son's.