Through partnerships with Lake Washington Schools Foundation, Lake Washington School District has established a district innovation program.

It intends to make funding available to schools to implement innovative ideas. The goal is to celebrate and recognize innovative programs in schools.

As LWSD strives to accomplish its vision of Every Student Future Ready, it explores innovative strategies and programs to increase student engagement, increase student achievement, provide students with additional challenge and rigor and close achievement and opportunity gaps.

Below are some of the schools that are part of the program, and what opportunities will be offered as a result of the program.

Lake Washington High School

Urban Gardening: A newly developed course will focus on the basics of plant identification, the benefits of growing and maintaining your own garden, and how urban gardens present sustainable solutions inspired by local community issues. Grant funds will provide startup funds for gardening and green house materials.

Lake Washington Learning Community (Elementary):

Elementary STEM Symposium: The traditional science fair gets a new look at three Lake Washington Learning Community Elementary Schools. The STEM Symposium includes in-class STEM learning opportunities culminating in a Symposium of STEM learning projects and community presentations. The three participating schools will be identified by staff survey.

Thoreau Elementary School:

Attacking the Gap at Thoreau-A Multi-Faceted Approach: Teacher leaders from Thoreau Elementary will participate in a “Pathway to Equity” learning experience focused on strategies for closing the achievement gap through literacy practices and, with building leadership, guide staff through implementation of innovative teaching strategies and cycles of inquiry.