Brace yourselves for a tale of learning and growth, because we’re about to dive into the heart of Islander Middle School. Islander Middle School is the only public middle school on Mercer Island. It is located at 7447 84th Ave SE.
Islander Middle School hosts sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Imagine the energy and excitement that fills these halls each day.
Leading this vibrant community are co-principals Mary Jo Budzius and Aaron Miller. They are supported by associate principals Becky Mullvain and interim associate principal Katie Gallagher. Together, they guide approximately 105 staff members and 950 students. That is a lot of people.
Islander Middle School uses a district-adopted curriculum as its foundation for core classes. But it doesn’t stop there. Islander Middle School offers a variety of engaging learning electives too.
Beyond academics, Islander Middle School provides a wide selection of after-school clubs and activities. There is something for everyone. Math, art, robotics, gaming, drama, and chess are all on offer. A homework center is available too.
For students interested in team sports, Islander Middle School has options for them, too. Cross-country and volleyball are offered in the fall. Wrestling takes place during the winter. Track and field happens in the spring.
Islander Middle School believes in upholding the humanity and dignity of all its students, staff, and community members. This is evident in their mission.
The mission of Islander Middle School is clear. They strive to ensure a challenging, relevant, and engaging experience. Every student is able to advance to a greater level of understanding, ability, and performance. Islander Middle School seeks to meet the unique needs of students in the middle grades. They work to be a caring community where all members feel safe to take risks to grow. Islander Middle School strives for high quality in all they do. Islander Middle School values diversity and believes in respect, cooperation, and kindness. These values provide the foundation for the Islander community.
In 2024-25, Mercer Island School District is implementing MI Phone-Free Schools during the school day at Islander Middle School. This will help foster healthy social and emotional development.
Islander Middle School has received recognition for its students’ achievements. IMS eighth graders Alice Liang and Kavya Muralidhar were guests on Studio 13 Live on FOX 13 Seattle. They talked about their Honorable Mention Awards in the New York Times How To Writing Contest for Teenagers. Liang’s submission was titled “How To Survive Middle School Hallways.” Muralidhar’s submission was titled “How To Play Out of Tune On the Flute.”
The Mercer Island School District recognized Islander Middle School, Island Park Elementary, and Northwood Elementary for student growth during the 2021-22 school year. West Mercer Elementary was recognized for student growth during the 2022-23 school year. All four schools were recognized by the Washington School Recognition Program.
Islander Middle School is also turning into a hotbed for robotics. Team Slippery Penguin won at the Washington State VEX Middle School Championship earlier this spring. Then they traveled to the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas.
The seventh and eighth grade orchestras at Islander Middle School have been chosen to be a Concert Hour Exemplary Honor Group for the 2025 National Association for Music Education’s All-NW Conference.
Islander Middle School has 28 combined lunch clubs, after school clubs, competing clubs, and athletic teams. These give students numerous opportunities to connect and feel belonging.
From academics to extracurriculars, Islander Middle School provides a well-rounded education for its students. It’s a place where students can grow, learn, and thrive. It’s a place where they can discover their passions.