This edition of Issaquah, Sammamish and beyond… focuses on the link between strong local schools and a strong community, and demonstrates that we can’t have one without the other. If we want the advantages of a vibrant, healthy and prosperous community, we need to do everything possible to make certain our school system is well-funded, supported by the community and able to graduate students who are prepared for today’s job market.
Readers, whether you have active students at home or not, you materially benefit from strong schools in your neighborhood. Schools with excellent ratings and reputations produce higher property values and healthy local economy. In other words, the school system is a barometer of health for the entire community.
To that end, we have dedicated this edition to exploring the Issaquah School District. You will discover how the district has changed over the past 18 years and how healthy it is today. Why 18 years? The 2009 graduating class turned 18 this year, and it seemed like a good span to measure change.
As you read, we believe you will be surprised, as we were, to find that today’s students and teachers deal with a significantly more complex and nuanced environment than that faced by previous generations.
So please take a look, learn more about today’s schools and find a way to become personally involved.