Mercer Island School District thrives and maintains a high standard for student achievement in and out of the classroom. We emphasize three core tenets: amplify our message and promise of a dynamic education, elevate our systems and practices to deliver an exceptional education experience, and develop a school community that thrives. We strive to not only be recognized as the top school district in the state of Washington but also to be a point of pride for our community, staff, and students.
Upon graduation Mercer Island students are committed, motivated, and poised to succeed both in and out of the classroom, backed by our value of supporting the whole child.
MIHS cross country runners Owen Powell and sisters Victoria and Sophia Rodriguez were highlighted in the KING 5 Prep Zone prior to the 3A State Championship Cross County Meet. Owen and Sophia are the defending 3A State Champions. Powell set a national record with the fastest time on a 3-mile high school cross country course on September 21 at the Doug Speck Sweepstakes race at the Woodbridge Cross County Classic at Great Park in Irvine, California.
KMIH 88.9 The Bridge was named the Best High School Radio Station in the Nation on November 2 at the 2024 John Drury Radio Awards hosted by WONC-FM at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
The MIHS Marching Band is leaving November 19 to participate in the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Chris Cashman from KING 5 TV highlighted the MIndy 500, a unique fundraising event the Marching Band undertook to help raise funds for travel to the parade.
13 students earned recognition as National Merit Semifinalist scholars.
KING 5 TV and KIRO 7 TV were on hand for the announcement of the MIHS Marching Band being invited to perform in the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Our student athletes won seven athletic state championships.
The community support of our two levy propositions in February set the tone and launched 2022 in a positive trajectory. The approval margins for both the Enrichment and Capital-Technology levies were the highest in the state, communicating both locally and regionally the value Islanders places on education.
90% of Class of 22 graduates attending 4-year colleges.
A Continuation of Services Provide a Personalized Experience
MISD Highly Capable Services (HiCap) are provided to meet the needs of students who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments in our District.
MISD Special Services programs serve students with disabilities from birth through twenty-one years who reside on Mercer Island. Students with disabilities are served in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent possible. Thus, at all our schools, there are students with special needs participating as appropriate in general education classrooms and general education curriculum.
Special education services include individualized, specially-designed instruction in academic, self-help, communication, motor, vocational and social skill areas. Individual Education Programs (IEPs) are developed at least annually. IEP goals are written for each student based on the results of formal and informal testing and observations. Some student will also have objectives for each goal. The district carefully sequences instruction and maintains data about student progress.
Multilingual/English learners will meet state standards and develop English language proficiency in an environment where language and cultural assets are recognized as valuable resources to learning.
The Mercer Island School District provides limited English proficient parents with information in their own language so that they can make informed decisions about their children's education. This includes providing interpretation and translation services for vital meetings and communications.
Mercer Island School District provides Learning Support Services (partially funded through state and federal funding). These services support readers in developing their skills to close any gaps in reading early. Specialists working with students are highly trained in the Science of Reading (SoR) and instructional strategies and techniques grounded in 50 years of research.
Services provided to students who are identified may be provided in a pull out or push in model, depending on the school, grade, and students' needs. These services work to close any learning gaps quickly, so that students can read proficiently and find success in all grades and contents.
Celebrating Reading and Start of School and Seahawks Season
Enrollment Information For Families New to Mercer Island
Visit Niche to read why we are ranked so high on the platform and what parents, students, teachers, and alumni have to say about our district and schools.
Students must be five years of age by August 31 in the the year they are looking to start kindergarten.
Every January our four elementary schools have a Kindergarten Orientation Night for new families to introduce them to their school and answer questions they have.
We did a fun interview serieswith kindergarteners who provided some sage advice for future students and their families.
We also have a Kindergarten: Day In The Life video below that highlights the learning done in kindergarten.
Our school registrars are happy to answer questions new families might have about enrollment, registration, classes, or other school specific topics.
WELCOME New FamilIES
At the beginning of every school year the PTAs at our schools host a Welcome Back event for families. This is a great first opportunity for new families to meet students and families at their school.
Each elementary school and IMS host a Curriculum Night in September. Families are invited to these events to learn more about curriculum in our schools.
Every October MISD hosts a New Family Event at Islander Middle School (IMS). This evening for new families introduces them to MISD community partners, athletic teams, and civic groups who have a table in the IMS Commons
A MIHS event that went away during the pandemic, but is being brought back by the MIHS Key Club is a New Student Night.
Students In Foster Care
MISD supports students who are experiencing homelessness and students who are in temporary foster care placement. This includes students living in, transitional housing, temporary group homes, doubled-up with other families, moving from home to home, living unsheltered, living in a hotel or motel, or other temporary or inadequate nighttime accommodations due to financial or catastrophic circumstances (including domestic violence & fire).
Every January the Mercer Island School District publishes an Annual Report. You can read past Reports on our Annual Reports page. Annual Reports are mailed to all residents of Mercer Island and provided to District partners.
At the beginning of every year MISD produces a School Profile for each of our six schools. These profiles, which reside on our School Profiles page, provide school administration contact information as well as how the school is implementing its School Improvement Plan (SIP).
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation (MISF) is a 501 (c) (3) public service, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and improving the quality of education provided to ALL MISD students by obtaining contributions for the public schools.
Started in 1981, the Foundation has raised over $26 million for our students thanks to our generous community. Since its founding, the Foundation has become the catalyst for the island community to guarantee every teacher has access to the most up-to-date, innovative educational materials that guarantee exceptional teaching and learning experiences for every student.
The tremendous success of the organization lies in the simple fact that MISF was born in a community that places value on quality education. Learn more about the impact of MISF’s commitment to education.
Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) licensed mental health counselors are a critical part of the learning environment in each school on the Island.
Counselors work collaboratively with students, families and school staff to support the social and emotional needs of students in every school, helping them build a strong foundation for their future.
We encourage all parents to reach out to your child’s MIYFS school counselor, just as you would their teacher, as they can be a valuable resource for helping your children thrive in school.
Visit the MIYFS Website for a full description of the services provided by MIYFS at our elementary schools, middle school and high school.
The mission of the Mercer Island PTA Council is to serve as a resource to unit PTAs, families, and community members within the Mercer Island School District – and to advocate for the health, well-being, inclusion, and education of every child.
The strength of our PTAs lies in its membership—the parents, teachers, school administrators, business leaders, and community members who devote themselves to making a positive difference in the lives of children. Members are the lifeblood of PTA and provide the passion, leadership, and hard work needed to fulfill PTA’s Mission.
