High School

Grades 9th to 12th are considered high school education, and the Issaquah School District has four high schools. Students in 9th grade are called freshman; in 10th grade, sophomore; in 11th grade, junior; and in the 12th grade, senior.

*All the high schools are closed campus. 9th graders cannot leave the campus during the school day without parent permission.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate from high school, students must meet four requirements:

1. Earn enough credits by passing required classes. The state requires students to earn at least 24 credits in specific subjects to graduate from high school. Credits show that a student has passed a class and met learning goals. This rule applies to all Issaquah School District high school students in the Class of 2026 and beyond. For a full list of which classes and subjects are required, visit: https://www.isd411.org/academics/high-school-curriculum-pathways/graduation-requirements/credit-requirements

2. Complete a High School and Beyond Plan. Every student must make a High School and Beyond Plan. This plan helps students think about their goals for high school and what they want to do after graduation—like college, job training, or a career. Students create this plan with help from their parents and school staff.

3. Meet a graduation pathway. Students must also meet the requirements of a Graduation Pathway approved by the school district. This is another way to show they are ready for life after high school. Each student should talk to their school counselor to learn more and choose the best option for them.

4. Pass Washington State History. All students must pass Washington State History to graduate. Most students finish this class in middle school.

GRADES

Teachers use the letter grades A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, and F. A to D are passing grades. F means failing. It is important to read the syllabus from each teacher to understand grading expectations and contact the student’s teacher directly if there are any academic concerns. High school students get their grades after each semester. Parents/caregivers (and students) can check their grades through Family Access. There is no ranking system in the United States. Colleges and employers look at high school transcripts, which is a record of all your high school classes and grades.

AP Advanced Placement

At Liberty, Skyline, and Issaquah High Schools, students can take these college-level classes. Students may receive college credit depending on their test scores and the college they attend.

IB International Baccalaureate

This is a Diploma Program that students at Skyline High School can obtain and is a two-year advanced program for juniors and seniors. It is recognized by colleges around the world. During their sophomore year, students will be asked to sign a contract outlining their classes for 11th and 12th grade.

ONLINE AND RUNNING START

All high school students can choose to take up to 2 classes each semester online. Students in 11th and 12th grade can join Running Start to take college classes and earn both high school and college credits at the same time.

WASHINGTON NETWORK FOR INNOVATIVE CAREERS (WANIC)

WANIC is a high school skill center that offers advanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses for 11th and 12th graders. Students can earn three high school credits in a school year with a total of 540 hours. They have 21 Skill Center programs across 9 locations throughout the seven school districts. Programs are offered at different schools and teach real-life job skills. To learn the details of the WANIC program and how to apply, please visit: wanic.org

TRANSCRIPT

This is an official record of a student’s grades for high school-level classes. Colleges and employers only look at high school transcripts (not middle school or elementary report cards).

WORLD LANGUAGE CREDIT

Students can get a World Language Credit if they take tests and meet scoring requirements. This is a great way for bilingual/ELL students to get credit for fluency in their first language. Ask your high school counselor for details.

COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER

Every high school has excellent resources for students and parents who need information about postsecondary education and career decisions like financial aid, part-time jobs, volunteer opportunities, etc. Look for all this information on the school’s website. Students with disabilities can get extra support through a program called ACT (Academy for Community Transition) in the Issaquah School District. It will provide training and support to let young, differentlyabled adults (the ages of 18-21 years old) connect with community-based employment experiences and fine-tune social, vocational and life skills. For ACT details, check https://www.isd411.org/programs-services/special-services/special-education-programs/academy-for-community-transition-act

DANCES

Schools organize optional dances for students. Homecoming is in the fall. Students often dress up to match a fun theme. Students typically wear formal attire (e.g., dresses and suits). In addition, at the end of the school year, especially in the senior year, schools organize the Prom, a very formal event.

DRUG-FREE ZONES

Schools in the Issaquah School District are protected as drug-free zones, as established by the City of Issaquah and King County. Drug-free zones provide for possible double penalties for anyone caught trafficking controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a designated school, school bus stop, or public park.

GIBSON EK HIGH SCHOOL

This high school opened in September 2016, and it is not open to ALL high school students. Families need to apply during the open enrollment timeframe during the students’ 8th-grade year. This school uses a Big Picture Learning model that encourages students to use “out of the box” learning methods. At Gibson Ek, students learn through projects that have been carefully chosen instead of attending classes like ones at a regular high school. New learning methods work better for some people. If you have questions or want to learn more about the school, visit https://gibsonek.isd411.org/

HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND PLAN

Xello is a District-provided online program that students use to complete the High School and Beyond Plan graduation requirement. Each student has a Xello account beginning in 6th grade. They can explore careers, post-high school opportunities, and a wide variety of college options through their Xello account.

Each middle or high school student’s first parent/ guardian listed in Family Access will get an email invitation from Xello with a link to access their Xello Family account. To learn more about Xello and Xello Family, please check https://www.isd411.org/academics/high-school-curriculum-pathways/graduation-requirements/high-school-and-beyond-plan

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR EVENTS AND GRADUATION

When students enter 12th grade, it is commonly known as their senior year of high school. Each high school in the Issaquah School District hosts a variety of special events throughout the year to celebrate seniors, including a graduation ceremony.

The Issaquah School District offers free interpretation services during the graduation ceremonies. Parents and family members can access this service using a smartphone or tablet.

For details about senior events and graduation ceremonies at each school, please visit the following links:

• Gibson Ek High School: https://gibsonek.isd411.org/student-life/seniors

• Issaquah High School: https://issaquahhigh.isd411.org/student-life/seniors

• Liberty High School: https://liberty.isd411.org/student-life/seniors

• Skyline High School: https://skyline.isd411.org/student-life/seniors