Below is a summary of local programs.  Please see attached pages for details on each program.  These are a sampling and do not represent all the programs that are available.

BEST HIGH SCHOOL

425-828-3289

www.lwsd.org/best

Degree offered:  High School Diploma

FUTURES SCHOOL

425-823-7613

www.lwsd.org/fut

Degree offered:  High School Diploma

LAKE WASHINGTON TECHNICAL ACADEMY

425-739-8107

www.lwtc.ctc.edu

Degree offered:  High School Diploma, Two Year College Technical Degree

GED @ LAKE WASHINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE

425-739-8115 – Testing info.

425-739-8100 x363 – GED Prep Course

www.lwtc.ctc.edu

Degree offered:  GED

GED @ BELLEVUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

425-564-2243

www.bcc.ctc.edu

Degree offered:  GED

CAREER EDUCATION OPTIONS (CEO) @ BELLEVUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

425-564-4035

www.bcc.ctc.edu/ceo/

Degree offered:  Certificate or AA degree in a professional-technical program

JOBCORPS

1-800-733-JOBS

http://jobcorps.doleta.gov (national)

http://cascades.jobcorps.gov/ (Washington State

Degree offered:  GED or High School Diploma

HOME SCHOOLING – FAMILY LEARNING CENTER

425-702-3331

http://schools.lwsd.org/flc/

Degree offered: contact FLC for info.

Benefits

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 nine 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 first attend a two-day orientation to learn about the program in depth, build their class schedule, and meet their staff advisors and student mentors.

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.

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.

Futures School is a “Choice School” in the Lake Washington School District located @ Juanita High School.

Before Applying all students must first complete an intake interview. This can be scheduled by calling the Dean of Students or emailing.  Phone: 425-823-7613 or email: obritsova@lwsd.org

After the interview application papers will be given out and should be completed promptly.                                                                        

A completed application includes:

The Futures School team will review your application and make a decision at the next weekly meeting following receipt of a complete application packet.

Lake Washington Technical Academy, formerly Otteson High School, offers eligible high school juniors and senior students, ages 16 to 21, the opportunity to concurrently train for a career and earn a high school diploma. Lake Washington Technical Academy is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and is a full-time high school program located on the campus of Lake Washington Technical College in Kirkland, WA. The program enrolls 400-450 students annually and we accept students from 30 regional school districts. Students have access to most of the training programs and support services of LWTC. Eligible students are required to be enrolled full-time in a technical training program and general education classes to complete the high school diploma. Students have the opportunity to not only complete their high school diploma but also earn a two year college technical degree.

What Types of programs are available? Most programs are available to high school students, although some highly selective admission programs such as Dental Hygiene and Licensed Practical Nursing have a separate application and admission process and may not be suitable for high school students.

Eligibility Criteria

Continued Eligibility after admission

Steps to Enroll

Assessment Center - GED Testing
West Building, W204
(425) 739-8115

General Education Development (GED) is a series of five tests developed by the American Council on Education to enable persons to obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma. Earning a GED provides students with greater access to employment, advancement and higher education opportunities.

The college is a designated testing center for GED exams. Testing appointments must be scheduled in advance by visiting or calling the Assessment Center at the number above.

The college also offers GED preparation courses. Please contact Shannon Ludwig at (425) 739-8100, extension 363, or the Academic Skills Center at (425) 739-8100, extension 656 for information on these courses.

GED (GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT)

The GED credential is widely recognized by colleges, training schools, and employers as equivalent to a high school diploma.

The GED class for adults is designed to:

Classes are offered to review and prepare for the GED exam. The class consists of a combination of individual and group work with exercises and practice tests. The GED preparation class may be taken for two quarters.

Requirements for the GED class:

Call Anne Dolan, GED Instructor, at (425) 564-2067 for more information on the class. Students interested in GED classes taught in Spanish should contact our partner program, Proyecto PODER, at (425) 456-7827.

Requirements for taking the GED exams:

Call the Assessment Office at (425) 564-2243 for the mandatory registration/orientation test schedule.

The Career Education Options program is designed for students aged 16-20, without a high school diploma, to receive education and job skills at BCC.  This program provides students with a second chance at their education, and will provide tools to succeed in the college environment.

CEO's Mission and goals for student success

The Career Education Options program is dedicated to working with youth who have left high school prior to graduation by providing them with a new and unique opportunity to reach their education goal.  We are committed to helping our students find that potential that will reconnect them to their individual path of success in education and career.

As a devoted and dedicated staff we promise each qualified student:

What will Bellevue CEO provide?

How do I qualify?

Bellevue CEO students must meet the following qualifications:

CEO students work towards a certificate or AA degree in a professional-technical program at BCC.

Who do I contact?

If you are interested in continuing your education in an exciting career field, call the CEO office at (425) 564-4035, stop by the CEO office in Room A202, or simply fill out the online form provided.

www.bcc.ctc.edu/ceo/

Job Corps is a national residential training and employment program administered by the Department of Labor to address the multiple barriers to employment faced by disadvantaged youth throughout the United States. Visit the National Job Corps website: http://jobcorps.doleta.gov.

The purpose of Job Corps is to assist young people who need and can benefit from a comprehensive program, operated primarily in the residential setting of a Job Corps Center, to become more responsible, employable, and productive citizens.

Cascades Job Corps Center is a high-performing center according to the Outcome Measurement Standards applied to all Job Corps centers nationwide.

Career Development Services System

What is CDSS? It's Job Corps. Putting the most important lessons first. Designing a plan for every student. Teaching the skills that match the jobs. Providing the resources students need to succeed. Staying in touch to ensure success.

You Make the Decision

Job Corps benefits those who desire a career and are willing to take advantage of the opportunity to master the skills necessary for employment. As a young adult you will be faced with many challenges and decisions. Your motivation, desire and commitment are the price you pay for our training.

Enrollment Facts: Who Should Apply?

How Do I Apply for Enrollment?

Interested young people apply to join the program through a Job Corps Admissions Counselor. If they are eligible, they are assigned to train at one of the Job Corps Centers where they will take part in academic, vocational, and social skills course-work. The training is provided at no charge by the U.S. Department of Labor. Student-trainees receive a living allowance and learn at their own pace. Many youth complete their training in as little as eight months.

After student-trainees complete the program, Job Corps provides placement assistance or helps with further education. Job Corps provides career support and transitional assistance for up to 12 months after initial placement.

What are the Benefits?

If you are accepted into the program, Cascades Job Corps Center has everything you need to make the most of your training. There are classrooms, offices, counseling centers, dormitories, a cafeteria, and recreational facilities.

Cascades Job Corps Center offers a safe, supportive community where our trainees live in residence halls or dorms. The dorms are part of the campus. Everyone helps keep the dorm living areas clean. Laundry facilities are also available.

GED or High School Diploma?

Students can earn their GED or high school diploma through the program! Cascades has a partnership with Sedro-Woolley High School to help you earn your high school diploma. You can earn your GED right here at Cascades Job Corps Center.

THE RESULTS

More than 2 million young adults have benefited from the program since 1964.

Family Learning Center offered through the Lake Washington School District and offers K-12 Home School support.  Please call FLC for more information.