Who We Are
What Kids Say about BEST What Parents Say About BEST About Our Grads

BEST High School is unique in the Lake Washington School District for its small size and educational focus. The school accepts a maximum of 190 students in grades ten through twelve, which allows us to emphasize individual student learning styles and tailor educational opportunities to specific student goals. The focus of BEST is to provide a unique educational program that helps students be the best people they can be academically, emotionally, and socially. Thus, BEST provides a place that starts with the student and builds his or her ability to perform academically while shaping a positive view of self.

It is a school of choice, which is to say that no students are assigned to BEST High School, the students apply, and they are all here because they want to be here. With the school’s unusual ability to provide high levels of one-on-one instruction, students are able to design their own learning programs, whether it is to pick up missed credits or forge ahead of regular classes and accelerate their education.

BEST is an acronym for Better Education for Students and Teachers. The results of the program have born out the advantages of the program for students who do not thrive in a more conventional school environment.

Our Students
BEST High School serves a very diverse mix of people. Most of our students are very creative, have unique learning styles, and need to move forward in their own way. They are looking for a different experience, a new start, a smaller school that can help them better cope with the present and find hope and solutions for their future. There’s the student who has a gap in his or her education, behind in credits, and feels disconnected, disinterested, or discouraged. There’s the straight A student who wants to work in an open-minded and accepting environment that provides aide for troubled teens. Other students have the capacity to work at a faster pace and wish to graduate early.

Applying to BEST
BEST High School is an open-entry choice program with an application process. This process requires an application form, information meeting, and a student orientation. The student, along with a parent or guardian, attends one of the information meetings, which are scheduled once a month throughout the school year, to learn about the nature of the school. Students can apply anytime; and provided there are openings, they will enroll on one of the seven start dates in the school year. New students are placed in a period 1 class called “Life Skills/Transition”.  There they receive a full orientation for one session. 

Our Philosophy
No student is invisible at BEST High School. All students are known, and they know they are accepted in a caring environment. No person will be permitted to interfere with the work of the school or compromise our community feeling, safety, or the integrity of our program. Because BEST students accept the family philosophy and operating principles, they model this at school, out in the neighborhood, and in the greater community. Parents and community members volunteer in the school, providing more adult interaction with students. Together all adults in the school provide the young people building blocks that enhance their health and well-being and build resilience. Thus, they are less likely to engage in all types of risk-taking behaviors. Included in this positive adult partnership is the police department that is located minutes away from the school.

Unique Program
To address student guidance, our program is built around the Core class. Each student is a member of a Core that meets every day for one class period. Every Core teacher is the advisor and is responsible for working with their Core students to develop a plan for graduation and beyond. Core is the heart of the BEST program. It is a class in personal and social development. It teaches students skills essential to a rewarding, responsible life such as communicating effectively with others, setting goals and participating in their community.

Core Congress is the BEST student leadership group. Each Core is required to elect two representatives. The purpose of this leadership group is to help facilitate communication between students and staff. Student representatives work together as a governing body that participates in creating school policy and procedures and modifying and enforcing school rules. Core Congress also manages the ASB budget and helps plan and lead all-school meetings and enrichment activities. Elected Core Congress members will be randomly assessed by peers concerning the effectiveness of their representation.

Students and staff together develop our policy, which is reviewed annually to make sure that the rules still serve students and program needs. The philosophy that supports the rules is that each student is ultimately responsible for his or her behavior. Students demonstrate their ability to meet this responsibility through both self as well as group monitoring of expectations. Behavior is corrected as needed and intervention strategies are used when warranted, which include behavior and probation contracts, and parent meetings. If an all-school problem is perceived by the students or staff, the issue is brought to the student leadership, Core Congress. They will meet to discuss the concerns and send their recommendations to the staff and Core students they represent.

Academic Initiatives
Two classes were developed at BEST for students who did not reach the proficient level in specific skills on the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning). These students will be ready to take the WASL a second time.

We also have developed a "teaming format" of teaching, where two classes are integrated and credit may be earned in both subjects at the same time.  Biology/Math, Material Science/Math, Physics/Math, English/Pacific Rim, and World History/Computer Applied Applications are classes currently being offered.  Students talk about how this has helped them use concepts from one course to understand the other.

Students also simulate an Energy and Natural Resources Senate Hearing. This school-wide effort includes students role-playing senators, physicists, university professors, research officials, local dairy farmers, lobbyists, and media.

BEST High School has implemented a process that integrates the use of technology in a student-centered, project-based approach in all curriculum areas to access, analyze, synthesize and present information. Although students need to learn specific skills to use technology appropriately, the majority of what students do with technology at BEST is in the application of its use to learning. Examples of technology tools available to students include graphing calculators and computers which are all online. All tools are accessible to all students in the classrooms and library.

Meeting New Challenges
In the 2002-03 school year BEST implemented the first phase of the new district graduation requirements. In 2005 all students are required to demonstrate proficiency in communication (writing three essays and a culminating project) to receive a diploma. At BEST every course provides opportunities for students to reach the communication performance standards for graduation.

The Culminating Project is included in the communication graduation standards. Last year BEST developed a pilot for one class of students who volunteered to complete an individual project. The students agreed to partner with the school, giving feedback as to the kind of structure and support is working and what could be improved. This year all students who plan to graduate will be working on a Culminating Project.

Grants

• Toyota TAPESTRY Grant – to continue the school’s work around the Senate Hearing Project. BEST was only one of 23 schools nationwide to receive the grant and the only school in Washington State.

• RESPECT (Relationship Equality & Safety: Peers Educating Community Teens) - a co-ed peer education program, provided through the Youth Eastside Services Teen Dating Violence Program, includes a 20-hour training on campus, a one-day retreat, and follow-up meetings throughout the school year to continue training and prepare for peer presentations at BEST and junior high schools

BEST Night School
In addition to the day program, BEST has a night program, developed for students who need to work during the day and want to earn a high school diploma. Students qualified for the night program have already earned at least 14 high school credits. All classes are self-paced, independent study. All students in the day and night program are required to have an individualized learning contract for every class and independent study project. It is developed in partnership with the student and teacher. This written contract includes a description of specific learning goals and performance objectives and evaluation and assessment of the student’s progress.

What Kids Say About BEST

• "I'm not sure if you remember me...but then again...how could you forget me! Well, I'm doing really really well! I've been clean for a little over a year now, and doing amazing! I went to the AVEDA institute in St. Pete, FL to get my Cosmetology License, and I'm now working at an salon that specializes in Extensions! $$$$ I'm also working with photo shoots, and I've had the opportunity to do a little bit on runway. So it's all very exciting! I just thought that I'd drop a line and say thanks for putting up with so much of my garbage. It really means a lot to me."
   
• "Hello, I am a BEST graduate.  Most of you will know who I am, and some of you I just met along the way, but you are on this list because within the last five years you have either helped me in life or made a great impression on me.  
        This letter is intended to be a very big thank you to everyone that has helped me academically, personally and professionally.  I finally graduated from Washington State University a few weeks ago, and started my first "real" job on January 4, 2007.  I will be working at LDM Worldwide, which is a company that assembles video crews for entertainment events.    
        The road has been very fun and a little bumpy, but I couldn't have achieved the success that I have if it were not for your help and support.  I appreciate everything that has come to me, and I wanted to make sure that you were all acknowledged."
   
• "First of all, I want to say how proud I am of being a past student of BEST. I graduated in 97 and I know that I would have never made it through without BEST. I think about high school every day and miss it dearly. I was a teen parent and I know from experience that I, along with a lot of others, would have been drop outs if it wasn't for BEST. I just want to say thank you for being there in the time of need for all of these kids!"
   
• "To the entire staff at BEST: We just needed to say thank you for all you have done for us! I am finishing my first year in college and my fiancé is starting his in the fall. We got engaged at Christmas and will not say 'I do' until we both have our degrees. Just wanted you guys to know how much you really help troubled teens!"
   
• "My final reason that I think BEST would be a better school for me to attend is the family environment......   I really got the feeling that BEST did not function as “succeed or drop out” type of school......   I believe that BEST has the “no student gets left behind” mentality, and I think that is extremely important."
   

• “BEST is like home schooling with your friends.”

• "We love our teachers, because they really want to help the kids."

• “There is only one thing wrong with BEST, and that is there is nothing to complain about BEST.”

• "I’m sick of giving up . . . at BEST I changed my attitude about going to school and boosted my confidence on wanting to learn and get a good education."

• "The staff doesn’t intimidate me to the point where I would rather fall behind than ask a question.....  I will ask questions.....  the way the sessions are set up helps to make the work-load seem manageable."
  

What Parents Say About BEST

"I want to thank each and every one of you for the difference you have all made in my daughter's education and more importantly, in her life. She earned high credit last session. You can not imagine how proud she was yesterday as she thrilled over her success. If only you knew what a nightmare we went through before she came to BEST. Then, life began anew here with all of you…  Your support, your encouragement, your undaunted courage to stand  compassionate yet firm is an inspiration. I am reminded of Martin Luther King’s words: 'we need tough minds and tender hearts.' Not an easy task. So, hats off to you all, as you most definitely exemplify these qualities.
     A special thanks to Darin’s Core where my daughter found a safe and secure landing place, from where she dared to spread her wings and chance the flight to the stars. What a boost!
     'It takes a village,' and oh, what a tribe you are!! "

"Many thanks to all the teachers who have worked so hard to make sure BEST students stayed on track and got the job done! Had I known my daughter was going to take it right down to the wire, I would have given each of you a whip at the beginning of the year! Your accomplishments with these kids is an example of what can and should be done in all our schools. I am so thankful that we were lucky enough to find the BEST teachers and staff anywhere! Your patience and perseverance really is appreciated."

"My daughter graduated from BEST last year and we were very proud of her achievements there and the fact that she won so many scholarships for college.

    As co-scholarship chairman for my DAR chapter this year, I have added BEST High School to our list of eastside schools eligible for our scholarship.

    Enclosed is this year's application for the Cascade Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution scholarship for eastside seniors. This scholarship used to only apply to students seeking a career in education as a teacher. Now it is available to all students seeking higher education, and is for $1000.

    I look forward to speaking with you later in the year. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Good luck to your students. Application deadline is March 31."

"My son transferred to BEST at the beginning of this last session . Those of you that have met him can attest to the fact that he is not a traditional learner.

     Almost immediately after his transfer to BEST I noticed a major positive change in his well-being. His outlook on life improved, he actually started SMILING, I no longer had to drag him out of bed in the morning, he is managing his anger better, and the list goes on. Not only that, but he comes home every day and actually talks to me about school. It has been a most welcome change.

More Parent Comments:

• "BEST is a model for schools in the future." 

• "This is the first time that my son is up and ready for school every morning."

• "This is exactly what my daughter needs, she now likes school!!"

• "I am so happy that my kids are at BEST, they are very excited and they love school."

• "This is how science should be taught, I wish I had this when I was in school."

• "I don't know how you do it, but keep up the good work".

• "This is the first time I have ever gotten a good report on my son, and I haven't had to drag him to school this year either."

• "I have to thank BEST High School for saving the lives of my children. Where once we had no hope, BEST has restored my children’s desire to learn."

• "I went to your web site and was very impressed by the teaching style of your school. There is a partnership between the teachers and the students, which in my opinion is very beneficial to the students. BEST High School also analyzes which approach should be used so the students get the most out of learning."

• “It’s amazing! He does work, and sees the results right away! He feels an incentive to work hard, because he sees that it counts immediately. This is like a miracle!”

•       "I would like to thank you for the education my son received. I attended his informal graduation ceremony a few days before the winter holidays and was very touched by the love and patience you all seem to have with these kids.
         I would rate this graduation ceremony as the best one I have ever attended, and probably the most personal in nature. My son was blessed by his path crossing yours. I am impressed with how motivated he became after attending your school for a short while. I attribute his improved self-esteem to your system of teaching and feel that you did things even his parent would have difficulty achieving."
        I have the highest regard for BEST High School and all the educators I have met there. I can't thank you enough!"
  

About Our Grads

BEST High School graduated 91 students during a recent school year.  

• 49 graduated from BEST High School.

• 42 graduated from BEST Night School.

• Students went on to attend many colleges and universities, including the University of Washington, Bellevue Community College, Seattle Art School, Lake Washington Technical College, Ashmead College,  and Shoreline Community College.

  • 40 went to two year colleges.

  • 7 went to four year colleges and universities.

  • 7 went into the military.

  • 10 entered the work force.

  • 1 went to art school.

  • 1 went to beauty school.

• Scholarships were received from  the Kirkland Rotary, Masons, PTSA, Windermere, and the Lions Club.

   

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