Explore Lower School and Early Middle School

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The Bear Creek School is a national leader in classical Christian education. We believe that only when faith, mind, and heart are fed together can we experience the fullness of education, which produces leaders of wisdom, compassion, and courage.

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TABL E OF CO N T E N TS WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

QUICK FACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Our Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Strength of Academic Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Portrait of a Bear Creek Student . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Tuition and Tuition Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

A National Blue Ribbon School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Bus Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

What is Christian Liberal Arts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

LOWER SCHOOL AND EARLY MIDDLE SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Academics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Campus Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Student Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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WELCOME 6

On behalf of our entire community, welcome to The Bear Creek School.

As you begin the process of researching schools, please join us on campus to see firsthand how our dynamic learning environment, the dedication of great teachers, and rich curriculum offer something dramatically different in shaping the lives of students at Bear Creek.

The Bear Creek School is a national leader in providing a high-quality, Christian liberal arts education by intentionally developing the Christian worldview through an academically challenging college preparatory curriculum that spans the early grades through grade 12. In the spirit of the ancient classical tradition, education at Bear Creek nurtures the heads, hearts, and hands of young men and women so they are equipped to lead by engaging the world with wisdom, compassion, and courage.

As you explore Bear Creek, we hope you sense the intentionality of our mission expressed throughout every aspect of our community.

Grace and peace,

Patrick B. Carruth President and Headmaster

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O U R M I SSI ON

MISSION Our mission is to provide a high-quality, Christian liberal arts education in a nurturing environment that will enable each student to become the individual God intends.

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P O RTRA IT O F A B EA R CR EEK ST UDEN T Listens carefully. Reasons persuasively.

Articulates precisely. Acts with discernment. Thinks clearly. Respects others. Honors humility. Recognizes cultural influences. Expresses faith through love. Embraces virtue.

Possesses wisdom. Leads courageously.

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A N ATION A L BLUE R IB BON SCH OOL Bear Creek was selected as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School in the Exemplary High Performing category based upon overall academic excellence schoolwide.

Bear Creek was one of 50 private schools nationwide to receive this honor and was the only school in the State of Washington to earn this distinction.

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Blue Ribbon schools are models of consistent excellence and a resource for other schools and districts. We celebrate them for their tireless effort and boundless creativity in reaching and teaching every student.

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ARNE DUNCAN, U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION 2014

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All the teachers make learning enjoyable, and they are cultivating a passion in students to learn.

That’s something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

REED W. PARENT

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W H AT I S C H R I S T I A N LIBERAL ARTS? “OUR WORLD IS CHANGING. At a time when each of us can electronically access facts and information quickly and easily, tomorrow’s leaders will need an education which teaches them to think both critically and creatively, analytically and artistically.

CHRISTIAN LIBERAL ARTS IS A PARADOX. It prepares students for a lifetime of vocation—for their calling—with specific information and skills. But it also prepares them with a worldview from which to discern and make wise and influential decisions—to dream and then to do—because it is rooted in the beginning and end of knowledge. Like the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the church at Colossae, ‘For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones

or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.’

IN THE END, A CHRISTIAN LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION CREATES TENSION; IT INSPIRES AND HUMBLES. It enables us to pursue dreams, to aspire toward greatness, and to nurture the human soul, while also reminding us we are creatures and not the Creator.

It is a dangerous and beautiful legacy.”

Patrick B. Carruth Dare to Dream: The Bear Creek School 2020 Strategic Plan

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LOWER SCHOOL AND E A R LY M I D D L E S C H O O L 16

KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 4 HIGHLIGHTS • Advanced academics • Accelerated and individualized progression in math and reading beyond grade level • Character development, emphasizing kindness and responsibility • Safe and secure community • Intentionality in music, drama, and art • Nurturing faith, mind, and heart • Teachers who inspire wonder

GRADES 5-6 HIGHLIGHTS • Accelerated and individualized progression in math and reading beyond grade level • Latin studies • Strengthened leadership capabilities through problem-solving, selfmanagement, and interpersonal skill development • Fine and performing arts programs including award winning Shakespeare Immersion Program • Scientific method and applied research • Teachers who inspire depth

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ACA DEM IC S

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ACADEMIC INTENTIONALITY

INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Bear Creek’s curriculum consists of a thoughtfully structured, classical Christian course of study. Your child will experience a curriculum that is designed to encourage just the right level of challenge. Each teacher’s priority is to build a warm and caring classroom community where your child will feel safe and secure.

Building your child’s technical and digital literacy is a critical competency in today’s world. All students will have the opportunity to develop skills utilizing various software, hardware, and Internet tools. Students in grades K-4 participate in an Innovation Project, building physical structures in partnership with a peer. Young students learn to apply basic engineering principles of collaboration, creative problem solving, and the process of structural design. In grades 1-6, students explore keyboarding, graphic design, and will also have the opportunity to learn basic programming.

ACCELERATED MATH PROGRESSION Our math acceleration program is unique and distinctive, where age does not solely determine a student’s math class placement. Instead, your child will be encouraged to advance to the appropriate math class that matches individual aptitude and development. Students thrive in this system, allowing them to advance according to ability—not by grade.

LAB-BASED SCIENCE Science courses are taught in a fully equipped science lab by a skilled lab teacher who is dedicated to inspiring young scientists. By engaging the scientific method, your child will refine discovery, analysis, and research skills. The annual Science Fair is a community event in which your child will display and present scientific discoveries. Grade 3 students exhibit a research paper and visual presentation board at the fair. Grade 5 students demonstrate their ability to use the scientific method, presenting the results of their science experiments in research reports and with visual displays.

SPANISH AND LATIN Students in grades 1 and 2 meet regularly with a Spanish teacher, exploring culture and vocabulary. Starting in grade 3, your child will learn Latin to understand the roots of English vocabulary and its complex grammatical concepts, which provides an excellent foundation for future language acquisition. Latin also improves analytical and problem solving skills and will expose your child to cultural and linguistic history.

FIELD TRIPS Frequent field trips will give your child an amazing opportunity to experience hands-on learning. Field trips are integral to the overall curricular plan to help students directly apply their learning in a variety of settings outside the classroom.

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ARTS

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VISUAL ARTS

MUSIC

All students in grades K-6 meet bi-monthly with an art specialist and follow a thoroughly designed curriculum which introduces visual art concepts such as color, tint, tone, shade, texture, line, shape, and space, while carefully observing God’s creation.

Your child’s class will also have the opportunity to meet bi-weekly with a music specialist with culminating vocal performances at Christmas and Mothers Tea in May. As part of the general music curriculum, all students in grades 3 and 4 learn to read music and play the recorder. For some students, this is their first experience playing a musical instrument.

EXPERIENCING GREAT ART Your child will experience a monthly in-classroom art lesson taught by an art docent. Students will have the opportunity to create projects which emulate the styles of the great masters and explore art history that enhances the core curriculum.

DRAMA The Bear Creek School was recognized by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Exemplary School Programs Award for our Shakespeare Immersion Program.

Students in grades 4 and 6 investigate and experience theater by studying and performing classical Shakespeare.

This window into the Elizabethan era provides an exceptional platform to teach about the human condition, biblical themes, learn stage presence, and develop rhetorical skills.

BAND, STRINGS, AND CHOIR Students in grade 5 learn to play a band or stringed instrument and perform twice a year in January and May. In grade 6, students may choose between band, strings, and choir (in addition to music class). Band and strings students continue with the instruments they learned to play in grade 5.

Choir students start to sing choral arrangements. All groups perform in January and May. Grade 6 band and choir perform for adjudication at a music festival in the spring.

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When they come through my classroom, my job is to ignite that spark and that passion so that when they grow up to be doctors, engineers, or lawyers–it doesn’t have to be a music or arts profession–music can still be part of their lives and they will still have that passion.

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DEB MAURER MUSIC TEACHER

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CAMPU S L I F E CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Nurturing minds and hearts together, your child will explore the attributes of God as the Creator and see how biblical truths apply to how we live each day through work, play, study, and community activities.

Students learn and practice virtues including wisdom, compassion, courage, kindness, and manners as a part of our Bear Creek Leads program. Specific character qualities are taught, modeled, and practiced throughout the year.

“Growing in Virtue” awards are given weekly to students who demonstrate these important virtues.

CHAPEL Weekly Chapel is a time of worship, praise, teaching, and reflection. Chapel topics focus on a particular Bible verse, story, or passage and are presented by faculty and special speakers. A parent-led worship team creates a thoughtful yet energetic Chapel experience.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Our students are given the opportunity to put faith into action through Compassion in Action projects. Each year, students participate in several school-wide community service projects such as food and clothing drives, global outreach, or hands-on classroom projects to benefit those in need.

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BIG AND LITTLE BUDDIES A monthly highlight for students is the time they spend with their “buddies.” Students in grades 3-5 are paired with “little buddies” in grades K-2. Together they read, write, and enjoy a mentoring relationship.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS Parents play a critical role in building strong and supportive Lower School and Early Middle School communities. Students benefit from many parent volunteers who provide additional reinforcement of academic skills in the classroom, field trip support, and one-on-one encouragement. Parents benefit from supporting one another and building strong friendships throughout the parenting journey.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS - BEAR CREEK PLUS Bear Creek Plus offers distinct enrichment programs that are available daily or on a flex-days schedule. Clubs and Teams are designed for all ages, K-12, led by specialists.

Our Homework Help sessions provide teacher-guided assistance with homework for grades 3-8, and Study Hall accommodates independent study for grades 5-8.

For our younger students, we also offer Extended Day options that provide tailor-made enrichment activities for students in grades K-2.

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ST U DE N T SU C C ES S OUTSTANDING TEACHERS Great teaching is at the heart and soul of Bear Creek. Sparking curiosity, encouraging responsibility, and instilling confidence in our students are central aspects of the Lower School and Early Middle School teaching philosophy. Our credentialed teachers work as a team of highly intentional professionals to bring the best educational methods to the classroom.

SMALL CLASS SIZES Small classes (averaging 16-18) create a classroom experience which allows your child to be well known, enabling our teachers to nurture unique individual academic, social, spiritual, and emotional needs.

ACADEMIC INTENTIONALITY Our curriculum is intentionally designed to encourage the right level of challenge for each student. We believe that it is important to keep the bar high and nurture students, giving them the support to accomplish extraordinary things. A priority for each teacher is building a warm and caring classroom community where students feel safe and secure.

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UPPER SCHOOL In the fall of 2015, we opened our new 50,000 squarefoot Upper School building and Performing Arts Center, adjacent to the K-8 Main Building on Redmond Campus.

The new building has a distinctive collegiate style designed to shape the way students collaborate, build community, and fully invest in the high school experience.

Special features include: • Innovation Lab • 350-seat theater (anticipated opening in 2018) • Student leadership development suite • Collegiate-level biology, chemistry, and physics labs • Art studio and gallery • Music composition and digital arts labs (anticipated opening in 2017)

© Aaron Locke/BCRA

© Aaron Locke/BCRA

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© Aaron Locke/BCRA

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QUICK FACTS

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8,774 Grade Level

Annual

Preschool P3 – Two days P3 – Three days P4 – Three days P5 – Four days Enrichment Day – One day

$3,925 $5,150 $5,150 $6,800 $1,300

Kindergarten – 2/3 Day Two full days (T,Th) and three mornings (M,W,F)

$13,275

Kindergarten – Full Day

$18,975

Grades 1-6

$18,975

Grades 7-12

$22,495

Use our Tuition Assistance Estimator Visit www.tbcs.org/tuitionassistance

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hours of community service performed by our Upper School students in 2015-2016 Upper school speech and debate team members qualified for Nationals in 2015-2016

$1.6

million dollars in tuition assistance and scholarships were awarded to 20% of Bear Creek families in 2015-2016

61%

of faculty in Middle School and Upper School hold advanced degrees at the master’s level and doctoral level

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of Upper School and Middle School students played on at least one Bear Creek sports team the number of times Bear Creek has won the WIAA Scholastic Cup, which is in the top five for schools in the state of Washington regardless of classification

BUS ROUTES: Kirkland, Mercer island, and Bellevue

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Invested in students. Intentional in outcome.

VALLEY CAMPUS

MAIN BUILDING

UPPER SCHOOL

(Preschool) 19315 NE 95th Street Redmond, WA 98053 (425) 885-9401

(Grades K- 8) 8905 208th Avenue NE Redmond, WA 98053 (425) 898-1720

(Grades 9-12) 8525 208th Avenue NE Redmond, WA 98053 (425) 898-1720

ADMISSIONS Christie Hazeltine, Director of Admissions admissions@tbcs.org (425) 898-1720 ext. 437

VISITBEARCREEK.ORG

Invested in students. Intentional in outcome.