Middle School Profile 2020-21

Eastside Catholic Middle School ACCREDITATIONS / AFFILIATIONS offers a faith-based and innovative • Accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) curriculum that integrates 1:1 technology • Approved by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) to equip students for the opportunities of • Approved as a by the Archdiocese of the 21st century and empower them to • Approved by the State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) become successful servant leaders. Our • Member of the National Catholic Educational Association exceptional faculty nurtures mind, body • Member of the National Middle School Association and spirit through a rigorous standards- • Member of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools based academic program, grades six through eight, that fosters critical thinking, FACULTY encourages creativity and inspires compas- • 14 EC faculty members are National Board Certified Teachers sion and service to others. • 62% of the faculty hold a master’s degree or higher

CURRICULUM President The middle school offers a small, community-learning environment and a nurturing Gil Picciotto setting during a time of great personal transition. Students are encouraged to think for Principal themselves, test their assumptions and develop sound learning skills – all setting the Ashley Hylton stage for high school success. Assistant Principal Erin Vickers Our holistic curriculum includes not only challenging academics, but also essential life and leadership skills. For students who need additional academic support, we offer Admissions Team English/Math Class and SOAR courses providing math and English assistance as well as Steve Rudolf, Bobby Kubacki help with executive functioning skills. School Counselor Sam Baker Our middle school students enjoy a smooth and successful transition to the high school. Qualified middle school students may take high school level math and world Director of Curriculum language courses at Eastside Catholic High School with permission from the middle Mollie Page school principal. 3 years humanities: language arts, social studies CEEB: 480067 3 years mathematics ISEE Test Site: 480067 3 years science SSAT School Code: 2946 3 years physical education/health Up to 3 years world languages 3 semesters of religious studies, 1 semester per year 45 hours community service ECMS QUICK FACTS LEARNING TO LOVE LEARNING Enrollment 212 Average class size 17 Middle school teachers act as trusted guides, teaching students a deep understanding of the material rather than to just superficially memorize content. The result is that Student-to-teacher ratio 13:1 students acquire invaluable skills in critical inquiry and a lifelong love of learning. Students of color 36% High academic expectations combined with appropriate support allow students to Catholic 45% be challenged and prepared for the next grade level. Students are encouraged to ask Other faith traditions 55% questions like:

• How do we know what we know? • What’s the evidence and how reliable is it? 425-295-3000 • How do viewpoints and implied values influence what we see, read or hear? [email protected] • How are things, ideas, events or people connected to one another? eastsidecatholic.org • Why does this matter? • What does it all mean? STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS Extracurricular activities foster intellectual curiosity, help uncover interests and talents and encourage spiritual growth in our students as they prepare for high school and beyond. Advanced Robotics Bamba Club CYO SPORTS Battle of the Books Fall: Cross Country Bible Discussions Soccer Biology Club Spring: Track Coding with Kids Creative Writing Winter: Finding Kind Geography Bee Intro to Robotics ELECTIVES Leadership Choir Math Team Computer Science THE MIDDLE SCHOOL Meditation Concert Band MENTOR PROGRAM Drama Open Gym The Mentor Program provides a “middle school family” for Visual Arts Pop Culture Club each student. Each “family” meets two times per week and is Reading Club made up of a small group of young people from each grade Spelling Bee and a teacher who knows the age group and the students well. Yearbook By giving students an instant support network of trusted peers THE VALUE OF OUR and mentors, this program greatly eases the transition to the SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITY new personal and academic challenges of the middle school Research suggests that middle school students in smaller years. Lessons during this time focus on our Touchstones and learning communities like Eastside Catholic perform better students’ social and emotional needs. academically, are more engaged in school, have more meaningful relationships and, ultimately, are more successful. ENGLISH/MATH CLASS (EMC)

A school like Eastside Catholic can mean the difference between ACADEMIC SUPPORT a student feeling lost and anonymous, to feeling like they have a Our EMC class supports students with recognized learning gaps place where they truly belong. In our tight-knit community, each in English and/or mathematics. The EMC class is not designed student is known and valued as an individual. to address severe learning disabilities or to provide curriculum modifications.

Using sequential materials that parallel general education curriculum, EMC teachers may provide additional instruction, homework assistance or other aids to meet the needs of individual students. EMC students develop new English and math understanding within a small group and increase their potential for success in middle and high school.

Student placement in EMC is reviewed at the end of each school year. This course is taken in place of the student’s middle school world language class.

SOAR This course is designed for students who require help with organization, work completion, test taking and learning strategies in the classroom. Through this course, students are accountable for work completion in classes and are taught an organization system and study skills to help them reach their potential as a learner. SOAR is open to all middle school students who need this support.

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Eastside Catholic School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, merit awards, tuition assistance and athletic and other school-administered programs.