Annual School Performance Report Skyline High School
2019-20
425-837-7700 • www.issaquah.wednet.edu/skylinehs 1122 228th Avenue SE, Sammamish, WA 98075
Principal Keith Hennig
Welcome In an intentional effort to develop honorable, thinking, skillful citizens who possess integrity, act with honor and pride, and pursue scholarship and excellence in the service of humanity, Skyline High school has established a strong academic tradition coupled with award-winning activity programs that include several state titles. Its education program prepares students with the necessary skills to successfully achieve their post-secondary life goals, whatever they may be.
Mission Our students will be prepared for and eager to accept the academic, occupational, personal, and practical challenges of life in a dynamic global environment.
District Report
To review the Issaquah School District 2019-2020 budget details and more, please visit www.issaquah. wednet.edu/district/annual-community-report/. The Issaquah School District believes in seeking continual feedback from a broad and diverse range of constituents regarding their experiences with the District and their neighborhood schools. See the Community Polling Study site at www.issaquah.wednet.edu/district/polling for more information and survey results.
Data from the Office of the Superintendent of Instruction (OSPI) State testing is required by Washington State (RCW 28A.230.095) and federal law. The federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), enacted in 1965, is the nation’s national education law and shows a longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. On December 10, 2015 President Obama reauthorized ESEA as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). These state and federal laws result in elementary students being regularly tested by the State to assess their progress as they move through school. State tests at the elementary level which fulfill the federal Every Student Succeeds Act include the following: • Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA): English Language Arts (ELA) and Math tests (3-5) • Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS): Science test (5)
Demographic Data
Grades: 9-12
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Enrollment: 2,218
100
96.0%
80 60
47.1%
40
38.0%
20 0
1.2%
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Teacher Experience Data Teacher’s with National Board Certification
9.1
18
Average Years Teaching Experience
Teacher with Master’s/Ph.D
57.6%
COVID-19 Pandemic In an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Jay Inslee ordered all schools in Washington closed as of March 17, 2020. While the initial order mandated school closures only through April 24, 2020, the order was extended to the end of the 2019-2020 school year due to increasing COVID-19 infection numbers across the state. The Issaquah School District submitted its plan for remote learning at the end of March 2020, and remote learning began for all students on Monday, April 20. Students and staff moved to an online classroom setting, using various platforms such as SeeSaw, Classlink, and Office 365. District laptops and internet hotspots were distributed to families in need, and free meals were still provided for families qualifying for the Free and Reduced Lunch program at designated pick up spots around the district daily.
Highlights Humanities Department:
The Humanities department has been working to create global citizens who are critical thinkers, readers, and communicators. Students have been analyzing both primary and secondary sources, crafting essays that support arguments, practicing verbal skills through group and whole class presentations, and exploring themes in history and English that embrace diversity. Students have been utilizing a newly adopted, culturally diverse curriculum that supports technological tools while building skills year-toyear.
Science Department: IB Biology: •
•
International Baccalaureate students in IB Biology, IB Chemistry, IB Physics, IB Computer Science and IB Sports, Health and Exercise Science participated in the Group 4 Science Project. Students worked collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams to examine the Science of Superheroes. Each steam consists of 6-8 students, with a mixture of science disciplines represented. Teams created video representations of their learning, which are accessible upon request. Twenty IB Diploma candidates elected to participate in an a Summer Ecology Research course. The students had a 5 day field trip to a research station on Bainbridge Island during which time they designed experiments and collected data related to a field ecology research problem of their choosing. Student had access to multiple watersheds and forests for data collection and exploration! Time was set aside for students to meet with teachers related to problem question selection, experimental design, analysis and formatting of an Extended Essay (a requirement of the IB Diploma program). It was not all work -- students and teachers managed to have a lot of fun, laughter, team building and adventure too!
Science of Forensics: •
This was a new course offered this year, so it is still growing! Some highlights included investigating mock crime scenes, doing blood spatter analysis and performing gel electrophoresis to solve crimes. Our ISF grant was approved and the class now has a life-size flexible mannequin with self-healing skin that we can use next year for bullet trajectory analysis and in crime scenes. With the school closure we had to cut a few units, but the units we did do (toxicology and ballistics) were surprisingly easy to do virtually. There are a number of virtual labs that work well, and students researched and reported on different toxins to culminate the unit.
General Physics – • • •
We were able to adapt our new curriculum to the 7th period day without reducing the standards covered or increasing student work outside of class. Our new online textbook and resources were hugely helpful this year, especially during the closure. We had a number of projects with student choice, highlighting our students’ passions and interests! For example, students applied what they learned about momentum and impulse to a sport/activity of their choice!
• •
The physics adoption and ITP brought us closer to 1 to 1 in our classrooms. This allowed for exciting online applications, student guided learning, and time for students to work on lab reports during class time. We were excited to see students engaged in learning through the year, even during the closure!
Astronomy: • •
Students were able to take their learning beyond the classroom with constellation observations! This year was exciting with the naming of the Mars rover in 2020, the first human space flight to launch from US soil in nearly 10 years, and a number of exciting astronomical events in the news!
General Chemistry – • • • •
Chemistry students saw safety in action! The Chemistry classes put out fires using the fire extinguishers during out safety unit. Students learned how to be safe in the Chemistry lab. Students saw an alkali metal demo showing increasing reactivity in water. BOOM! Students became alchemists and made “gold” pennies in a lab! Some chemistry classes have made ice cream at home during the online learning.
IB Chemistry – • • • •
We learned acid-base Titrations and compared the percentage of Acetic Acid in different brands of Vinegar. We compared the percent of Calcium Carbonate in different types eggshells. We learned about Calorimetry and calculated the calorie values in different types of chips and Marshmallows. For the Internal Assessments, students compared the pH values of different brands of shampoos, Coffee, Tea, and Apple Cider Vinegar, effect of Temp on Crystallization, use of Turmeric in place of phenolphthalein and comparing the toxicity of various brands of cosmetics
Visual and Performing Arts Department:
The Visual and Performing Arts Department includes opportunities in drawing, sculpting, orchestra, choir, band and theatre. Each of those individual arts excel yearly! This year, all three of our orchestras received Superior ratings at the Eastshore League Festival. Members of choir, orchestra and band ensembles were selected for All-State, All-Northwest, and All-National groups. Several members also placed at State Solo & Ensemble. Members of the orchestras and choirs frequently have the opportunity to trave as ensembles, for performances and adjudicated competitions. Members from SHS Bands travel on alternate years to California for performances and clinics in the L.A. area. Our Jazz groups compete both regionally and out of state yearly. The Skyline theatre department produces two plays and one musical each year, and competes in the ESUUS Shakespeare Competition and 5th Avenue Theatre Awards. The Thespian Troupe also attends the WA State Conference each year in March. From the art department, Nehara Rajakaruna won the PSESD Superintendent’s Choice Award. It was purchased by PSESD and now resides in their permanent collection.
CTE Department: • • •
DECA – Over 200 Introductory and IB Business Management students qualified for the State DECA competition with 80 qualifying for the International Competition in Orlando, FL, where 20 students earned top 20 honors at the International Competition in Orlando, FL. Computer Science - Introductory and IB Computer Science classes participate in the FIRST Robotics club which won the Houston World Championships in 2018 and was a division finalist in 2019. Our Graphic Design classes produce media for student and local community organizations. The yearbook student staff uses their photography and page-building skills to successfully publish a 300+ page yearbook.
World Language Department: • •
•
We offer a wide variety of classes in Japanese, Chinese, French and Spanish. Our French classes (1-IB) offer rich culture experience as well as grammatical expertise. Similarly, Japanese offers 1-IB. Frequently, Japanese classes participate in local speaking competitions scoring very highly. They make up an important part of the Japanese cultural event at Issaquah High School. Our internationally known Chinese program holds an event at a nearby college that includes dignitaries from our state and from China. Skyline enjoys wonderful success in IB Spanish. 99% of all students who take the IB Spanish test not only pass it, but with well above average scores. In 2018, 21 students scored a 7/7 on the standard level test. School wide, there were 42 scores of 7, meaning that the Spanish students made up a full 50% of all top scores. More than half of all of the standard level testers scored a 6 or higher. The worldwide standard level average was 5.07 and the Skyline average was 6.05. The higher level students did well also scoring an average of 5.5 while the global average was 5.38. Our numbers have grown in the past two years and we continue to achieve close to those same high percentages overall.
Improving Student Achievement
Skyline High School provides a safe and challenging learning environment for a population of approximately 2,000 students. Student enrollment information and assessment data provides Skyline stakeholder’s valuable insight to facilitate the creation of appropriate levels of academic, social and emotional supports to our changing demographic representation. School achievement trends across the years have been positive and Skyline High School continues to outperform both Issaquah School District and Washington State percentages of students who meet state standards in all noted areas and graduation rate. While teaching and learning is a complex and difficult task, Skyline strives to ensure all students are prepared for and eager to accept the academic, occupational, personal, and practical challenges of life in our dynamic global environment. At the root of this mission are two important aspects of successful teaching and learning – establishing systems to improve student regular attendance and ensuring students accumulate the necessary credits for graduation (i.e., not failing courses). Regular attendance provides students the opportunity to engage in the academic, social and emotional activities, programs and interventions designed to enhance individual student skills and knowledge needed for success in post-secondary life. With a focus on regular attendance and ensuring students have the programs and supports needed to pass credit-bearing courses, Skyline will continue to have a clear/shared focus with high standards and expectations for all students. To this end, Skyline’s School Improvement Plan will focus on reducing course failures through the application of intervention, supports and resources designed to connect our students to school and support effective teaching and learning for all connecting students. Ensuring that to our school through supports, resources and/or intervention - ensuring students have the skills and knowledge necessary to gain credit allows Skyline’s stakeholders to feel involved, invested and responsible for the success of all students.
Special Programs
Issaquah Scholars, International Baccalaureate, 7th Period Options, Think First! Robotics, TEALS partnership with Microsoft, ECE Preschool, Running Start: College in the High School, WANIC, Shakespeare in the Classroom, Mental Health Social Worker partnership with Swedish, Drug and Alcohol Interventions with Friends of Youth
Extra-Curricular Activities
Activation Through Art, Art Club, ASB, ASB Dance Committee, ASL Club, Automotive Club, Badminton Club, Band, Biology Club, Black Student Union, Board Game Club, Cheerleading, Chess Club, Chinese Club, Choir Club, Classical Music, Club MED, Computer Science club, Cube Club, Cultural Diversity Club, Cupcakes for a Cause, Cryptocurrency Club, CSI Club, Dance Team, DECA, Drama Club, Engineering Club, E-Sports Club, Evergreen Philharmonic, FCCLA, Film Club, Financial Literacy & Beyond Club, Free the Children Club, French Club, Games Club, Glee Club, Global Studies, Green Team, GSA, Guitar Club, Japanese Club, Japanese NHS Club, Jazz Band, Journalism, JSA, Key Club, Korean Club, LEAP Club, Link Crew, Marine Science Club, Math Club, Mock Trial Club, Model UN Club, National Honor Society, New Generation Club, Orchestra, PAWS Club, Ping Pong Club, Project Agape, Red Cross Club, Relay for Life, Robotics Club, Rocketry Club, Science Club, SHOCK Club, Science National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Speech & Debate Club, STEM Outreach Club, Stock Investment Club, Strong 4 Sam Club, Students Affirming Gender Equity, Tech Theater Club, Technology Student Association Club, Teen Link Club, Traffic Student Court, Ultimate Frisbee Club, We Care Club, Writer’s Club, Yearbook
Athletics
Skyline High School strives to develop and maintain athletic programs in which student-athletes recognize their full potential by providing participants unique experiences and situations that are difficult to duplicate in the classroom. Lessons learned and experienced through athletics will last a lifetime and enhance the student-athlete’s high school experience. Academically this past year 679 student-athletes participated in our athletic programs during this abbreviated year during two seasons. Varsity student-athletes earned a 3.52 cumulative GPA in 2019-2020. The average GPA for all of the athletic teams this year was a 3.00. Along with their academic success, Skyline Student-Athletes and teams have garnered many state placers. In the Fall season, two members of the Girls Cross Country team participated in the state meet. Senior, Mia Crocker placed tied for 27th place and Freshman, Anna Tasky placed tied for 36th place. The Boys Cross Country team was represented by Junior, Matthew O’Keefe who placed tied for 50th. At the Girls Swim and Dive State Meet, Courtney Gross placed 2nd in the 50 Yard Freestyle and in the 50 Yard Backstroke. In the Winter season, the Skyline Boy’s Swim and Dive Team won their second team state championship in a row. Individually, the 200 Yard Medley Relay team of Senior, James Zheng, Senior, Colin Huynh, Senior, Jeremy Kim and Senior, Ryan Zhang place 2nd. Sophomore, Niels Chrisstoffles placed 2nd in the 200 Yard Freestyle. Senior, Colin Huynh place 7th in the 200 Yard Individual
Medley. Senior, Jeremy Kim placed 6th in the 50 Yard Freestyle. James Zheng placed 7th in the 100 Yard Butterfly. Junior, Finn Heneghan placed 4th in the 100 Yard Freestyle. Niels Christoffles placed 3rd in the 500 Yard Freestyle. The 200 Yard Freestyle Relay team of Neils Chrisstoffles, Jeremy Kim, Ryan Zhang and Colin Huynh placed 2nd. Finn Heneghan placed 5th in the 100 Yard Backstroke. The 400 Yard Freestyle relay team of Niels Chrisstoffles, Junior, Ross Nakamura, James Zheng and Finn Heneghan placed 3rd. The Skyline Cheer Staff won a State Championship for their 4A Super Large Game Day performance. Jacob Inton placed 6th at the state wrestling meet in Tacoma. In February, 16 Skyline student-athletes participated in National Letter of Intent Signing Day. Here are the colleges that Skyline Student-Athletes signed at: University of Washington, Wofford College, Harvey Mudd College, Columbia Basin College, Central Washington University, Claremont McKenna College, Boise State University, Arizona Christian University, Western Washington University, Stanford University, Syracuse University, Christopher Newport University, and Everett Community College. Outside of the athletic arena, many of our athletic programs regularly participate in community service events from clothing drives, to youth camps, all of which help to build a stronger school and unify the local community. Skyline Athletics above all else, strives to develop the entire person by teaching the values of honor, pride, scholarship, integrity, and excellence.
What’s New •
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The 2019-2020 school saw the addition of a 7th period, two days of extended learning periods (80 minutes) and academic intervention time (Flex Time) built into the school day. Skyline staff worked extremely hard during the 2018-2019 school year to prepare for the schedule adjustments by creating a new bell schedule, participating in professional development offerings around extended learning and developing an intervention time to meet our student and school needs. We are excited about the schedule adjustments and how they will benefit our students! The addition of Flex Time into our weekly schedule, Skyline built in time for students to have intentional social, emotional, and behavioral learning activities. With the objective of establishing and maintaining positive relationships and making responsible decisions, lesson topics over the year include: substance abuse, mental health/suicide prevention, digital dignity, behavioral expectations, hate speech reporting, what it means to be “normal,” and healthy relationships. In conjunction with the Issaquah School Foundation, Skyline brought the educational program “SAFER Choices: Dating, Communication, Respect, and Sexual Assault Awareness” to campus. All student participated in the presentation with a message to influence students’ ability to make better, safer choices in their lives, and in the lives of their peers. In addition to our student assembly, Skyline offered a free evening program designed specifically for parents. The program entitled, “HELP! My Teen is Dating - Real Solutions to Tough Conversations” was a fun, interactive, and thought-provoking, talk leaving families with a few simple tips they could apply in their home. Under the leadership of Principal Keith Hennig and with community support from the PTSA and ISF, Skyline staff continues the “Issaquah Scholars” program geared to smooth the transition for incoming ninth graders. In the fall, Skyline hosted the Think Again program (led by Eastside Fire and Rescue) for sophomores for the fourth time; it encourages safe, sober and not distracted driving. We will welcome them back this spring to work with our juniors and seniors in a program they call “Choices.” It too encourages safe and sober driving through a collaborative simulation and follow up discussion.
State Testing Two tests given to high school students—The Smarter Balanced Assessment and the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science help indicate how well Issaquah students are learning.
COVID-19 Disclaimer
Due to early facility closure and suspension of end of year testing, 2019-2020 assessment data is not available. The data below relfects the school’s scores for the 2018-2019 school year.
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)
The SBA consists of two parts: a computer adaptive test and a performance task. Writing is included at every grade level and students are asked to solve multi-step, real-world problems in math. Performance tasks ask students to determine an array of research, writing, and problem solving skills. The SBA results describe student achievement (how much students know at the end of the year). The Grade Level Total ELA and Grade Level Total Math charts on the right-hand side of the page indicate the percent of tenth grade students who met or exceeded standard in ELA and Math on the SBA compared to the percent of tenth grade students who met or exceeded standard district-wide.
60
60 90.0%
89.0%
40
0
0
Gr ad
e
Di st r ic
e Gr ad
t
20 10
20
75.8%
71.1%
t
80
Di st r ic
100
80
40
Math
10
100
English Language Arts (ELA)
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) The WCAS fulfills the federal requirement that students100 be tested in Science once at the elementary level. The WCAS measures the level of proficiency students have achieved (what students know and can do) 80 based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The WCAS assesses all three dimensions of the learning standards (Science and Engineering Practices, 60 Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts).
40 60.5%
20
t ric st Di
11 e
0
29.6%
Gr ad
The numbers on the chart represent the percentage of students in eleventh grade who met or exceeded standard on the WCAS compared to the percentage of students in grade 11 who met or exceeded standard districtwide. Given that a limited number of students took the WCAS, scores may not provide a full picture of science achievement.