Blog
Senior Spotlight: Samara McDonald | Summit Sierra, Seattle
When Samara first walked through the doors of Summit Sierra as a ninth grader, she had no idea that decision would change the course of her future. “I wanted a school that would push me toward my goals,” she says. “I needed a place where I could grow, where college was a priority, and where I could see a clear future for myself.”
Senior Spotlight: Charlotte Davis | Innovation High School, Spokane
“It’s a lot different than a standard high school,” Charlotte explains. “The teachers actually know what your name is and we call the teachers by their names. It’s a personal relationship. Before, I couldn’t get the hands-on learning I needed. Now, I feel encouraged to do my work and I try to recommend it to as many people as I can.”
Senior Spotlight: Rose Miller | Lumen High School, Spokane
As a new parent, Rose needed an environment where her teachers treated her as a whole person and understood that she had to balance school with her parenting responsibilities. She found that at Lumen.
Senior Spotlight: Sawyer Hollis | Spokane International Academy, Spokane
As the valedictorian of the first graduating class in the school’s history that started at SIA as freshmen, Sawyer is proud of his accomplishment and of his classmates.
Senior Spotlight: Suhayb Ismail | Summit Sierra, Seattle
Suhayb describes himself as confident and curious. He’s always trying to learn new things and he never shies away from a public speaking opportunity.
Supreme Court Upholds Public School Integrity
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Oklahoma’s ban on religious charter schools safeguards the constitutional separation of church and state, protects public funds for Washington’s 17 charter public schools, and reaffirms that millions of charter students nationwide can keep accessing a high-quality, tuition-free public education with full civil-rights protections.
Supporting Students, Families, and Schools in Uncertain Times
We understand that President Trump’s Executive Order 11155 may create uncertainty about the supports and resources available to students, families, and public schools across the United States, and that it also raises concerns about disruptions to critical services for students and teachers, oversight of educational quality, and critical protections that ensure all students have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive during their time in public schools.
Teacher Spotlight: Celebrating Culture and Community
Maria Torrón-Gómez (Sra. Torrón), WIHS Spanish Teacher, sees her role as more than just teaching Spanish; it’s about providing a learning environment where students feel empowered to explore their identities and the world around them.
Cultural Humility in Action: Yolanda’s Journey as a Parent Advocate for Washington Charter Public Schools
“We have to build a different world where we have education options that center empathy and have spaces where our children and their families feel safe.”