Stella Schola

My child attended Stella Schola for three years and loved it. They have developed a wonderful and challenging curriculum. The teachers are passionate about what they teach. The students really receive a private school education at no cost. It is truly a wonderful program and I would highly recommend this school.

I cannot say enough good things about this small choice school except I wish it were bigger, so more students could get such an amazing, excellent education. Stella Schola has all the benefits of a private school without the cost. The curriculum is history/chronologically based, and all subjects are integrated. So the students start learning about the Big Bang Theory in grade six, and I believe they finish up by the World Wars by graduation in grade eight. The integration of subjects makes SO much sense, too; for example, students will be reading medieval literature when they're studying that period in history, and learning the mathematics and scientific theories and formulae of the periods in question. There are so many related field trips and hands-on experiments each month, too, all related to the subjects the kids are learning that session. What does this mean? In a word: retention. The kids tend to retain what they've learned far better and longer.

My eldest daugher was lucky enough to attend this school. Yes, it was rigorous and required more from the students than other schools. Yes, there was more homework assigned, and harder homework, but it was balanced out by the school-sanctioned social events and the classroom bonding experiences (which were many). Yes, the standards were higher than other schools (what might garnish a low A grade elsewhere could get a C, say, at Stella). How do I know this? My youngest child attends another public middle school in the Lake WA School District. She desperately wanted to get into Stella, but she didn't get picked in the "lottery" to get in.(Luckily, she was placed on a waiting list and her number came up, so she will be entering Stella this year, in grade 7. Our family is SO happy!).

There might be a higher turn-around at this school than elsewhere, but I suspect that is because: 1. it's a small school with only 30 students per class, 90 students total. So if 2 or 3 leave, that's a higher attrition percentage than elsewhere. 2. As mentioned, the standards are more rigorous here than elsewhere. The school is very very clear to students and their families about this in advance. They want students to be aware that they will be expected to work hard. Despite the advance notice of the workload and espectations, some students decide that it's just too rigorous. They'd rather get higher grades elsewhere and perhaps not work as hard. I've known families where this played into the decision to have thier child leave Stella (and other harder choice schools).

I want to discuss the teachers here. They are capital-A Amazing. They are always accessible for individual meetings and tutoring with the students (and the parents, too, when needed). There is one teacher assigned for all subjects in grade 6; one for all of grade 7; and, the Stella headmistress and school Latin intructor, Mrs. Brigitte Tennis, teaches all of grade 8. I can't say enough about all the teachers - especially Mrs. Tennis. She has helped my child grow in ways I cannot articulate - not just academically, but socially, too. She believes in balance in life. She believes every single student can succeed. She believes in giving all students the foundation and tools to succeed in life. She believes in hard work, to be balanced with quality "play". She has intervened whenever student dramas unfolded, some petty, some not. She has nipped a few inter-student problem relationships in the bud before they became larger. This is how she runs the school: with fairness, and intervention when appropriate (although she attempts to first let the kids work out their problems themselves. But she definately will mediate when needed. She did so with my child, when problems arose with another girl).

What is the result of this 3-year program? Between the high standards expected of students, the emphasis on writing and quality studying, and the availability of excellent and caring teachers, Stella students have consistently gotten the highest MSP grades in the state of Washington. More importantly than that, though (in my opinion): the students obtain the confidence and tools to excel in high school and beyond. They are able to budget their time better. They are more confident in public speaking. They have better skills in reasoning, and reading and writing. They have better social skills for life. I wish more public schools were like Stella, and more students had access to them.

BULLYING ACCEPTED AND PROMOTED HERE - Having had a child at Stella Schola I am extremely DISSAPOINTED. The main reason is the Headmistress Brigitte Tennis. After several conversations with Brigitte about bullying she REFUSED to take any action at ALL - let me repeat - NO ACTION, no conversation with students, nothing. We eventually removed our child. Just look at the retention rate of students... Not the enrollments. Stella Schola has a HIGH turnover for the school size, especially considering this is a "choice" school and a three year program. Brigitte refuses to see anything wrong with the school at all. Every school and organization can always improve. Brigitte is a publicity seeking narcissist who cannot see beyond her own reflection. Unfortunately there are a couple of teachers who are very good and caring, but powerless to do anything... What a sad depressing place...Starting from the sub standard third world classrooms and facilities... If you love your child don't send them to this school.

Stella Schola is truely the BEST. SCHOOL. EVER. I have gone there for all the three years, and have learnt valuable study skills, and useful life skills, while having an intruging time with people who practically become your family. The teachers are absolutely amazing. All of them decicate themselves to help the students be the best they can be while having tons of fun along the way.If you want your child to look forward to school send them to Stell Schola.

The best kept secret in the Lake Washington School District. A model the district should seriously examine to study ways to replicate the success of this school so kids throughout the district might someday have the same opportunity.

The secret of its success? A dedicated teaching staff of 3 who instilling a passion for learning, an integrated cirriculumn that inspires students, a building of bonds between students who study together in one room with one teacher each year, encouraged involvement of parents. All of this accomplished in 3 temporary structures set in the back of the Rose Hill Junior High campus. All of this in a *public* school.

These kids get an education that kids at private schools on the Eastside don't get at the cost of thousands of dollars. Why do parents have to enter a lottery to get their kids into this school??? Why can't the district's goal be to make this level of quality available to every kid in the Lake Washington School? District?