The Results Are In - Any Thoughts?

The Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction has, as promised, announced on their site the public schools  "report card" for 2009-2010. 
Here are the results:

Student Demographics Enrollment October 2009 Student Count 1,027,231 May 2010 Student Count 1,021,621 Gender (October 2009) Male 529,328 51.5% Female 497,903 48.5% Race/Ethnicity (October 2009) American Indian/Alaskan Native 25,460 2.5% Asian 80,823 7.9% Pacific Islander 8,665 0.8% Asian/Pacific Islander 89,488 8.7% Black 57,053 5.6% Hispanic 165,391 16.1% White 654,562 63.7% Special Programs Free or Reduced-Price Meals (May 2010) 399,878 39.1% Special Education (May 2010) 123,278 12.1% Transitional Bilingual (May 2010) 82,349 8.1% Migrant (May 2010) 14,881 1.5% Section 504 (May 2010) 11,874 1.2% Foster Care (May 2010) 4,926 0.5% Other Information (more info) Unexcused Absence Rate (2009-10) 344,723 0.3% Annual Dropout Rate (2008-09) 16,410 5.1% On-Time Graduation Rate (2008-09) 58,687 73.5% Extended Graduation Rate (2008-09) 63,238 79.2%

Financial Data (2008-09)

Per Student Amounts Percent Total Revenues $9928 100% State 6648 67% Federal 1304 13% Local Tax 1909 19% Other Sources 68 1% Total Expenditures $9807 100% Central Administration 659 7% Building Administration 582 6% Maintenance and Operations 811 8% Food Services 302 3% Transportation Services 347 4% Teaching 6856 70% Other 249 3% Teacher Information (2009-10)  (more info) Classroom Teachers 59,294 Average Years of Teacher Experience 12.4 Teachers with at least a Master's Degree 65.8% Total number of teachers who teach core academic classes 49,968 % of teachers teaching with an emergency certificate 0.1% % of teacher teaching with a conditional certificate 0.1% Total number of core academic classes 129,884 NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher Information % of classes taught by teachers meeting NCLB highly qualified (HQ) definition 98.6%    % of classes taught by teachers who do not meet NCLB HQ definition 1.4% % of classes in high poverty schools taught by teachers who meet NCLB HQ definition 98.0%    % of classes in high poverty schools taught by teachers who do not meet NCLB HQ definition 2.0% % of classes in low poverty schools taught by teachers who meet NCLB HQ definition 99.0%    % of classes in low poverty schools taught by teachers who do not meet NCLB HQ definition 1.0%

Grade Level	Reading	Math	Writing	Science
3rd Grade	72.0%	61.7%
4th Grade	67.1%	53.6%	61.0%
5th Grade	69.5%	53.6%		34.0%
6th Grade	64.5%	51.8%
7th Grade	63.3%	55.2%	70.2%
8th Grade	69.2%	51.5%		54.4%
10th Grade	78.8%	41.6%	85.9%	44.7%

Bumber-Fans Get Ready

Running September 4th-6th in Seattle Center, this years Bumbershoot line-up is knock-your-socks-off fantastic. Featuring big names such as Bob Dylan, Hole, Weezer, Rise Against, Mary J. Blige, and many more - get excited for the "end of summer" music festival.

Don't miss the opportunity to secure your tickets here and now - and spare yourselves the long lines at the gate.

Need to know more?  Be sure to check out the Bumbershoot 2010 website - for any and all festival information.

Cheers!

*Bumbershoot Logo sourced from www.Bumbershoot.org

Welcome to the "Ultimate refinement in sustainable luxury."

Leave it to the powerhouse auctioneers and real estate experts in my Realogics Sotheby's Realty office to find creative and innovative ways to showcase one of Seattle’s premier developments – Olive 8. Each detail of this property is thoughtfully planned with the most discerning tastes in mind. This fabulous development encapsulates the feeling of Northwest luxury – making it “Luxury’s new address” inside our Emerald City. 

So, where does the innovation come in?  On Sunday, September 19th doors to this luxury property and Hyatt Hotel will open floors 18-26 to bidders for the Olive 8 Auction.  

Preview the full gallery, sustainably green facts, over-the-top features, and luxe amenities on Olive 8's website, or contact me with any questions.  Talk about "talk of the town," this project is truly show-stopping.  

Cheers!

Buckle Down & Hit The Books

It's that time of year again, and for many back-to-schoolers, it's time to buckle down and get back into the school routine.  Many people can relate to my feeling that although this is an exciting time of year, it is also a hectic time of year.  Be it shopping for school supplies, a fresh fall wardrobe - finding that perfect first day wear, new school shoes, school open houses, teacher meetings, sports preparations, bus schedules, stocking up on lunch sack-sized treats, the list goes on -  I'm quite sure you understand what I mean - it can get busy.

Despite all the running around, there is more to think about this time of year than a new pair of Nikes or those funny erasable pens, and for all you Moms out there, you may already know where I am going with this.  Washington State Public Schools have done a wonderful job making a "report card" readily available and accessible online.  With toggles directing between all schools in our state, you can compare how your child's school stacks up against any (public school, that is). Although some data reads a bit vague, it is a step toward learning more about how your school dollars are being spent.  

School testing scores are scheduled to be released August 31st by the Office of Superintendent of Public Schools.  Our community report cards are just as important as our children's, and as residents and parents, we have every right to know the grade.

Curious on the rest of the country?  Here is an article published by U.S. News titled - "America's Best High Schools 2010." The Gold Medal Winners? Bellevue's International School ranks 10th on their Top 100 in the nation, Kirkland's International Community School pulls in at 29th place, and Bellevue makes the list again with Newport High School coming in at number 72. 

Similarly, Newsweek Magazine published "America's Best High Schools: The List" where they name around 40 Washington State schools.  

Keep your eyes peeled for more information to break and please share - 'tis the school season!

Here's hoping for a great start to a new school year!