Wondering what makes the Environmental and Adventure School so special? It all started in 1999. The school began as a staff-initiated “choice” school. Lake Washington School District families now have options within the public school environment. The Environmental and Adventure School receives the same funding as other district schools.
Back in 1997, the Lake Washington School District superintendent asked teachers to design new schools. The goal was to provide more options for students. Four teachers responded Eileen McMackin, Brian Healy, Wayne Tannhauser, and John Hamilton. They shared a common vision. They believed students needed teamwork and a sense of belonging. They also wanted to provide academic, social, and physical challenges. Active involvement in learning was key. Developing leadership skills was also important. Connections with nature were a must.
These beliefs shaped the Environmental and Adventure School’s mission. The teachers drafted a statement. It became the basis for their school proposal. The vision focused on interdependent relationships between people and their environments. This theme integrates social studies, science, and health. Students read, write, and use math while doing research.
The school’s founders presented their proposal to the LWSD Staff-initiated School Committee in October 1997. They envisioned a “choice” school for 140 students in grades 6 through 9. The Environmental and Adventure School aimed to help students understand how people influence and are influenced by their environments. Students would learn to take responsibility for creating healthy environments.
Studies show that using the environment as a learning context has many benefits. Students perform better in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Discipline problems decrease. Engagement and enthusiasm for learning increase. Students take greater pride in their accomplishments. Students’ self-discipline improves through hands-on activities. Language arts skills improve in reading, writing, and speaking.
The Environmental and Adventure School has a “Level Three” curriculum focus. The goal is to help students become successful members of society. They learn about protecting and sustaining healthy environments. The school maintains a core of 6th through 8th grade students. Students investigate local and global environmental issues. They use technology to process and share information.
Students engage in extensive research and hands-on learning. They investigate interdependence within environments. They work on projects to restore habitats. They have opportunities to teach and guide others. The school also develops students’ leadership and teamwork skills.
The Lake Washington School District approved the initial proposal. The school was assigned a site on the Finn Hill Jr. High campus. Teachers began planning units of instruction around major concepts. They linked community-building events to the instructional plan. This allowed flexibility for extended learning opportunities outside the classroom. The Environmental and Adventure School formalized partnerships with community organizations.
The school hosted informational meetings to recruit students. Enrollment reached 90 students by May 1999. The Environmental and Adventure School opened its doors in September 1999. By 2001, it reached its capacity of 140 students. Today, the Environmental and Adventure School continues to thrive. It provides a unique learning environment. It emphasizes environmental stewardship and adventure. It integrates academics with real-world experiences. About 142 students attend the school. The school also devotes three weeks each year to adventure education.