District Guide

Our Vision, Mission, and Values

Our Vision:
To affirm and inspire each and every student to learn and thrive as creators of their future world.

Our Mission:
To serve each and every student academically, socially, and emotionally, through a rigorous and relevant education that is innovative and individualized. As a learning community that values one another’s humanity, we provide courageous support for an equitable and exceptional education for all students.

Our Values:

  • Service
    We seek to understand our students, meet their needs and those of our families and community, and to serve each other.
  • Integrity
    We earn trust through consistently and accountably following through on our commitments, and by acknowledging and addressing our shortfalls.
  • Excellence
    We pursue and nurture the exceptional achievements of our students, teachers, and staff through hard work and growth.
  • Compassion
    We are mindful of and respond to the thoughts and feelings of others, and are kind, authentic, and self-aware in our interactions.
  • Respect
    We welcome diverse ideas and contributions, assume each other’s best intent, and honor each other’s strengths and traditions.
  • Collaboration
    We build inclusive teams of students, families, staff, and community partners, and engage each member’s contribution on behalf of our students.
School Board

The Bellevue School District’s board of directors is comprised of five community members, one from each of the five geographical districts. Each board member is elected to their post by registered voters for a term of four years.

Learn more about the school board

Enroll for School

Bellevue School District uses a remote enrollment process, all enrollment documents can be accessed on this website and uploaded via a secure portal when completed.

Learn more about the enrollment process

Attendance

Consistent school attendance is critical to student learning. School attendance is mandatory, and unexcused absences and truancy are prohibited. Parents must notify their student’s school about an excused absence. Excused absences include:

  • Student illness or injury
  • Illness, injury or death of a family member
  • Pre-approved planned absences, such as a doctor’s appointment

If you have questions, please contact your school’s attendance office.

School Hours

Start and dismissal times vary by individual school. All schools release early on Wednesday to allow teachers and school teams time for planning, collaboration and training.

Transportation

Free transportation to and from school is provided to students who reside inside the school’s attendance boundary but are outside their school’s walk boundary zone. Visit the Transportation Department page for more information about bus services.

School Lunch

It is our mission to meet the nutritional needs of the students and staff of the Bellevue School District by offering a variety of quality, nutritious meals in a timely, effective manner.

Learn more about Nutrition Services

School Closures

In the event of an emergency, the district may need to modify start and dismissal schedules.

Learn more about Emergency Closures

School Safety

Safety is a top priority in Bellevue schools. The district’s procedures for use in an emergency are reviewed and updated annually. A copy of the district’s emergency procedures can be obtained from your school’s office or in the Emergencies section of the Board Policy and Procedures page on the district website. Each school must have a written plan for evacuation, lockdown and parent/student reunification. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or earthquake, students will remain at school until released to their parent or guardian.

Ensuring a safe environment for all students and staff is crucial to learning. When an incident occurs involving a student which could impact others or raise questions or concerns, the principal and staff of the school work to obtain facts and determine next steps. They may also send a letter or email to all parents and guardians of students at the school to provide facts and information. You can sign up to receive emails through School Messenger at www.bsd405.org/stayconnected.

The Bellevue School District has a no-tolerance policy when it comes to weapons on campus. If a student brings a firearm to school, he or she will be expelled. Principals will report all incidents to police. The district’s annual Weapons Notice is posted on the district website and is available from your school office.

Rights & Responsibilities

Students who attend Bellevue schools have certain rights and responsibilities, based on state laws, regulations and district policies. These rights and responsibilities address everything from participating in athletics and the use of district internet to student discipline and policies on harassment, intimidation and bullying. Student rights and responsibilities are posted on the the district website and are available from your school office.

How Can My School Help?

Most questions about your child’s education can be resolved at the school level. The chart below shows the person most able to help you at your child’s school.

Question or Subject: The First Person to Talk to is:
My child’s test scores or report card Teacher
Has my child earned enough credits to graduate? Counselor
My child says he or she doesn’t understand the material being taught. Teacher
My child doesn’t speak English well and is confused in class ELL Teacher or regular Teacher
I need an interpreter for school meetings. School Office Manager
My child has health concerns that impact his/her learning or safety at school. School Nurse
My child says he or she is bored because school is too easy Teacher
I would like to have a volunteer tutor work with my child. School Volunteer Program liaison
I think there are mistakes in my child’s class schedule. Counselor
My child will try anything to avoid going to school. Counselor
My child says that another child is treating him/her badly. Teacher
My child is having difficulty making friends. Teacher
I worry that my child is not telling me everything I need to know about his progress in school. Teacher
I can’t get my child to do his/her homework. Teacher
My child will not listen to me anymore. Teacher or Counselor
I’d like to know how to volunteer in my child’s class/school. School Volunteer Program liaison
How can I meet other parent’s? See ‘Get Involved’ above or your child’s school
My child is complaining about his teacher. Teacher first, then Principal
why am I being told that my child must attend summer school? Counselor
How can I apply for a scholarship to cover fees for summer school? Counselor
How do I register my student for summer school? Counselor
How Can the District Help

Most questions about your child’s education can be resolved at the school level. If you need information beyond what can be provided at the local school level, help is available at the district level.

Question or Subject: The First Person to Talk to is:
I don’t agree with the principal’s decision. Principal, then Directors of School Support 425-456-4109
I’m not happy with my student’s current school and would like to transfer my child to a different school. Student Placement Office 425-456-4200
When does school begin and end and when are the school holidays? Ask your school for a copy of the district calendar, which is also posted on the district website.
When it snows, how do I know if classes are cancelled? Visit the Emergency Closures page
I don’t know who to call. Communications 425-456-4000 or Contact Us page on the district website
My child has a disability and the school has developed a plan to provide services. I disagree with the plan. Special Education Department 425-456-4144
How do I have my child tested for Advanced Learning Services? Advanced Learning Services 425-456-4136
Why must my student attend ELL classes at a school outside our neighborhood? ELL Office 425-456-4135
Where can I get more information about summer school? Summer School Office 425-456-4089
I was told my student will be bussed to a different school. I am concerned. Deputy Superintendent of Operations 425-456-4025
My child was suspended or expelled and I disagree with this punishment. Supervisor of Pupil Management 425-456-4201
How can I apply for a scholarship for preschool or full-day kindergarten? Early Learning Programs Office 425-456-4030
Glossary of Frequently Used Terms and Acronyms

AP: Advanced Placement.  Students in grades 9-12 may participate in AP courses.  AP courses are academically rigorous courses that help prepare students to be successful after high school.  In contrast to many other districts, we encourage all our high school students to take AP courses.

ASB: Associated Student Body. The official organization that oversees middle and high school program of sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities.  Students must pay a fee to participate in ASB-sponsored activities.  Those who cannot afford to pay these fees should see a counselor to apply for a scholarship to cover them.

AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination.  AVID is a student-support program designed to ensure that all students, especially the students in the middle, complete a college preparatory path.  AVID teaches study skills and questioning strategies to help these students succeed.

AYP: Adequate Yearly Progress.  AYP measures each school and district’s success or failure in meeting annual targets in reading and math proficiency. Test scores are separated, by grade, into nine different groups or cells.  Those subgroups are all students; English Language Learners (ELL); students whose family incomes make them eligible for free-and reduced-price lunches; African American, Asian, White, Hispanic, and Native American students; and special education students.  Every cell must meet the same proficiency targets.

BECCA: A state law that requires students to attend school regularly and has very specific consequences for those who do not.  More details…

CADR: College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs) refer to college admissions criteria established by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  CADR reflect the minimum number of credits required in six subject areas that students must earn to be eligible for routine admission consideration by four-year public baccalaureate institutions.

Conferences: Parent-teacher conferences are private meetings held at elementary and middle schools between parents and teachers.  It’s important to attend the conferences to discuss your child’s strengths and areas for improvement.  Each school sets its own schedule for conferences.  You may also contact your child’s teacher at any time if you wish to discuss your child’s progress in school.

Counselor: School counselors help in many ways, such as working with students to solve personal or behavior problems, choose courses in middle and high school, plan for college, find outside resources, monitor student progress and meet with parents.

Curriculum Night: Also called “Back to School Night”.  This is a school wide event that takes place in the evening with every classroom teacher discussing what students are learning and what the teacher expects from both students and parents.

Early Dismissal: On Wednesdays, school is dismissed early.  The early dismissal days allow teachers time to work together in grade level teams and attend special training.  See your School Profile page for Wednesday dismissal times.

EOC: End of Course Exam.  EOC exams in Math are new state tests, as of June 2011. The EOC Biology exam will be given for the first time in June 2012.

ESL/ELL: English as a Second Language or English Language Learners.  Students whose native language is not English and who are not completely fluent in English receive English language instruction.  More information.

Family Connections Centers: Family Connections Centers, located in some elementary schools, serve families across the District by providing resources such as backpacks and used clothing for children.  They also connect families to agencies that can help them with legal, financial, personal or health problems. More information…

Free and Reduced: Some students are eligible to receive school lunches for free or at a reduced cost, based on their family’s annual income.  The identity of students participating in this program is completely confidential.  Families must fill out an application form for this program.  Forms are available online and at each school.

IB: International Baccalaureate.  The IB diploma program is an academically rigorous college preparatory program which focuses on classical liberal arts and sciences.  A full IB program is offered at Interlake High School.  Students in IB courses earn college credit if they perform well on national IB exams.

IEP: Individual Education Plan.  These plans are developed for students with certain kinds of disabilities who have been identified as needing Special Education.

IHP: Individual Health Plan.  If your child has health concerns that may impact their learning or safety at school, an IHP can be developed, with input from you, your health care provider and the School Nurse.

ILT: Instructional Leadership Team.  Each school in the District has established an Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) and Professional Learning Communities (PLC).  The ILT includes the school Principal and a group representing certificated teaching staff.  The PLC involves all certificated staff in the school.  The ILT and PLC establish goals to improve student learning and determine strategies for reaching those goals.  Staff members take part in professional development around those strategies, practice with peers and open their classrooms to observe each other’s teaching strategies.

LAP: Learning Assistance Program.  This is a supplemental program offered in some schools specifically for students needing extra support with reading skills.  Contact your classroom teacher if you think your child is in need of these services.  More information…

NBCT: National Board Certified Teacher.  Teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review.

NCLB: No Child Left Behind.  Under the 2002 NCLB Act, states are required to test students in reading and math in grades 3-8 and once in high school.  All students are expected to meet or exceed state standards in reading and math by 2014.

OT: Occupational Therapist.  An OT works with students who have been identified as needing Special Education services by helping them improve the functioning of fine motor skills lost through illness or injury.

PAAC: Parent Action and Advisory Committee. The PAAC parent group works to promote the highest levels of academic achievement for all students, with a special focus on English Language Learners and culturally and racially diverse students.  PAAC takes an action-oriented approach to develop programs and practices that create the conditions for parent involvement and student success. Learn more…

PLC: Professional Learning Communities.  Each school in the District has established an Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) and Professional Learning Communities (PLC).  The ILT includes the school Principal and a group representing certificated teaching staff.  The PLC involves all certificated staff in the school.  The ILT and PLC establish goals to improve student learning and determine strategies for reaching those goals.  Staff members take part in professional development around those strategies, practice with peers and open their classrooms to observe each other’s teaching strategies.

PT: Physical Therapist.  A PT works with students who have been identified as needing Special Education services by helping them improve the functioning of gross motor skills.  An example of a gross motor skill is moving in or out of a wheel chair.

PTA or PTSA: Parent Teacher Association or Parent Teacher Student Association.  This group of parent volunteers provides many services for schools including sponsoring social events and school-wide educational programs.  PTA volunteers help schools stretch their resources. More information…

Resource Room: Students who are identified as needing Special Education services, generally under guidelines set up in a child’s IEP (see above), may be assigned to a Resource Room.  Students are pulled from their regular classroom for these specialized services.

Room Parents or Classroom Parent: Parents who volunteer in their student’s elementary classroom.  They often help to plan parties, but also assist teachers with office tasks and help individual students.

School Newsline: Parents can call the School Newsline to hear a recorded message and find out if schools are closed because of snow or other weather-related emergencies.  The School Newsline number is 425-456-4111.

SIP: School Improvement Plan. We expect each school to be engaged in a process of continuous improvement, and the SIP is an avenue for schools to report on and monitor their work. Through the SIP process, schools reflect on their goals, assess their progress and strategies, and refine their approach as needed. Learn more…

SLP: Speech Language Pathologist.  A SLP works with students who have been identified as needing Special Education services by diagnosing and providing services to students with speech and communication disorders.

Social Workers: Mental health specialists from community agencies such as Youth Eastside Services, who, when parents give their permission, work with students to solve specific problems such as coping with parents’ divorce, eating disorders, and alcohol and drug abuse.

STEM: STEM is short for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.   STEM content can also be found in career and technical education (CTE) and vocational education courses.  Skills developed in STEM courses, such as critical thinking, collaboration, self-directed learning, creativity and communication, are considered essential for success in college and career in the 21st century.

Title 1: A federally funded program that allows schools to provide extra help for students in certain middle and elementary schools in reading and mathematics.  More information…

Tutorial: A 30-minute period immediately following the final class of the day in all middle and high schools for students to complete their homework or ask teachers for help.

The Bellevue School District acknowledges that we learn, work, live and gather on the Indigenous Land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here, since time immemorial.