Interlake High School
Encyclopedia
Interlake High School, also known as IHS, is a public high school
in Bellevue, Washington
. The school is one of the six high schools in the Bellevue School District
. It is known for its diversity, its students' scholarship, and the International Baccalaureate
program located at the school. The school prides itself on three main aspects: "Integrity, Humanity, Scholarship". Its mascot is a Saint Bernard
named Bernie, and all of the school's teams are known as the "Saints". The current principal is Maria Frieboes-Gee; Jeff Lowell and Katie Klug are the assistant principals.
In 2003, the Interlake High School Construction Project began. Over the next few years, most of the school was torn to the ground and rebuilt while its students continued to attend class in portables. Interlake reopened its brand-new doors at the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year.
Interlake's outdoor facilities include a turf football field with a red track(originally blue, but re-done in the summer of 2011); two concession stands, one run by the music parents (remodeled in 2008), and one run by solar power and various IHS teams and clubs (built in 2008); new baseball and softball fields; seven tennis courts; a courtyard; and several parking lots designated to staff, students, and guests.
Its indoor facilities include three gyms, a Performing Arts Center, a technology wing, a horticulture building, a music wing with four soundproof practice rooms, a large commons area used for lunch and events, and a library that contains a computer lab and study tables.
Interlake has become increasingly prestigious in academics and sports over the past several years. Academically speaking, IHS was rated #14 in the nation, according to Newsweek's Top Public High Schools article in 2010.
Interlake's students include a large variety of races, ethnicities, religions, ideals, and backgrounds. 51% of students are white, 29% are Asian, 9% are Hispanic, 8% are multiracial, and 3% are African-American. Many student organizations have been created to group people of different backgrounds, including the Jewish Student Union, The Reach (Bible Club), Gay-Straight Alliance, Black Student Union, Ginger Club (for redheads), Islamic Cultural Awareness Club, French Club, and ELITES (Estudiantes Latinos Internacionales Trabajando por una Educacion Superior).
More than a third of students speak a first language other than English, and many more are multilingual. Widely known languages at IHS include Chinese, French, Spanish, Hebrew, Hindi, and Russian. Interlake requires two language credits and offers tuition in French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. It also has an extensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program that allows students arriving from foreign countries to learn English as a secondary language.
Another special program at Interlake is its Center program for Special Education. Students with disabilities from all over the district, age 14 to 21, come to Interlake to experience a typical school day adjusted to their individual needs. Interlake's Center program has five classes, including Self-Contained (for the students who are best suited to staying in a primarily Special Ed environment), several classes of students who spend part of their day in the building referred to as the Apartment and part of it in mainstream IHS classes, and the Transition program. The Transition program teaches 18- to 21-year-olds work, interaction, and life skills to prepare them for later life; the students go out and work in different jobs for most of the day to pactice these skills. A unique feature to Interlake's Center program is that mainstream students can sign up to help out in the Center for a period in their schedule.
magazine has consistently ranked Interlake High School among the best high schools in the nation (as measured by the number of AP and IB tests administered, divided by the number of graduating seniors) since it initiated its ranking of U.S. high schools in 2003. Interlake ranked 13th in the nation in 2010.
to Interlake began in 2006, allowing students to be in the program through high school. Due to the PRISM program continuation and the International Baccalaureate program, which students in the PRISM program at Interlake take one year earlier than usual, the faculty expects to see a student population increase.
The program, which is currently in its fifth year of implementation (the 2010-2011 school year), extends the science, English, and social studies classes further in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program
at Interlake High School. In the IB program, PRISM students complete the IB diploma during 10th and 11th grade, rather than the usual 11th and 12th grade. Bellevue College also provides special English and Social Studies classes for PRISM students in their senior year, such as Psychology.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue is a city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States, across Lake Washington from Seattle. Long known as a suburb or satellite city of Seattle, it is now categorized as an edge city or a boomburb. The population was 122,363 at the 2010 census.Downtown Bellevue is...
. The school is one of the six high schools in the Bellevue School District
Bellevue School District
Bellevue School District No. 405 is a public school district in King County, Washington, USA that serves the communities of Bellevue, Clyde Hill, Medina, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point, Beaux Arts Village, and portions of Newcastle, Kirkland and Redmond. As of October 1, 2010, the district has an...
. It is known for its diversity, its students' scholarship, and the International Baccalaureate
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
program located at the school. The school prides itself on three main aspects: "Integrity, Humanity, Scholarship". Its mascot is a Saint Bernard
St. Bernard (dog)
The St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. The breed has become famous through tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its large size.-Appearance:The St. Bernard is a large dog...
named Bernie, and all of the school's teams are known as the "Saints". The current principal is Maria Frieboes-Gee; Jeff Lowell and Katie Klug are the assistant principals.
History and general information
Interlake High School was first opened in 1968 to serve students from the East Side, mainly those within a few miles of Lake Sammamish. In 1997, Interlake became an International Baccalaureate school, and in 2006, the GATE (Gifted And Talented Education) program started as an extension of the middle-school PRISM program (discussed below).In 2003, the Interlake High School Construction Project began. Over the next few years, most of the school was torn to the ground and rebuilt while its students continued to attend class in portables. Interlake reopened its brand-new doors at the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year.
Interlake's outdoor facilities include a turf football field with a red track(originally blue, but re-done in the summer of 2011); two concession stands, one run by the music parents (remodeled in 2008), and one run by solar power and various IHS teams and clubs (built in 2008); new baseball and softball fields; seven tennis courts; a courtyard; and several parking lots designated to staff, students, and guests.
Its indoor facilities include three gyms, a Performing Arts Center, a technology wing, a horticulture building, a music wing with four soundproof practice rooms, a large commons area used for lunch and events, and a library that contains a computer lab and study tables.
Interlake has become increasingly prestigious in academics and sports over the past several years. Academically speaking, IHS was rated #14 in the nation, according to Newsweek's Top Public High Schools article in 2010.
Demographics and special programs
As of the 2010–2011 school year, Interlake has approximately 1,420 students, the largest enrollment since the 1980s. Interlake's class sizes have grown larger and larger in recent years, beginning with the 250-student freshman body of 2006.Interlake's students include a large variety of races, ethnicities, religions, ideals, and backgrounds. 51% of students are white, 29% are Asian, 9% are Hispanic, 8% are multiracial, and 3% are African-American. Many student organizations have been created to group people of different backgrounds, including the Jewish Student Union, The Reach (Bible Club), Gay-Straight Alliance, Black Student Union, Ginger Club (for redheads), Islamic Cultural Awareness Club, French Club, and ELITES (Estudiantes Latinos Internacionales Trabajando por una Educacion Superior).
More than a third of students speak a first language other than English, and many more are multilingual. Widely known languages at IHS include Chinese, French, Spanish, Hebrew, Hindi, and Russian. Interlake requires two language credits and offers tuition in French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. It also has an extensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program that allows students arriving from foreign countries to learn English as a secondary language.
Another special program at Interlake is its Center program for Special Education. Students with disabilities from all over the district, age 14 to 21, come to Interlake to experience a typical school day adjusted to their individual needs. Interlake's Center program has five classes, including Self-Contained (for the students who are best suited to staying in a primarily Special Ed environment), several classes of students who spend part of their day in the building referred to as the Apartment and part of it in mainstream IHS classes, and the Transition program. The Transition program teaches 18- to 21-year-olds work, interaction, and life skills to prepare them for later life; the students go out and work in different jobs for most of the day to pactice these skills. A unique feature to Interlake's Center program is that mainstream students can sign up to help out in the Center for a period in their schedule.
Academics
NewsweekNewsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
magazine has consistently ranked Interlake High School among the best high schools in the nation (as measured by the number of AP and IB tests administered, divided by the number of graduating seniors) since it initiated its ranking of U.S. high schools in 2003. Interlake ranked 13th in the nation in 2010.
Gifted and Talented Program
The PRISM program continuation from Spiritridge Elementary School and Odle Middle SchoolOdle Middle School
Odle Middle School is a public middle school in Bellevue, Washington, USA. The school is one of seven middle schools in the Bellevue School District, and was named posthumously after Frank Odle, who taught in the district for 55 years before retiring in 1968...
to Interlake began in 2006, allowing students to be in the program through high school. Due to the PRISM program continuation and the International Baccalaureate program, which students in the PRISM program at Interlake take one year earlier than usual, the faculty expects to see a student population increase.
The program, which is currently in its fifth year of implementation (the 2010-2011 school year), extends the science, English, and social studies classes further in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
at Interlake High School. In the IB program, PRISM students complete the IB diploma during 10th and 11th grade, rather than the usual 11th and 12th grade. Bellevue College also provides special English and Social Studies classes for PRISM students in their senior year, such as Psychology.
Clubs at Interlake
The following include some of the popular after-school activities at Interlake.- Newspaper Club creates the school's newspapers. Over the years, this club has grown tremendously, with students meeting every Thursday to write and edit articles. They publish a professional-looking newspaper that is soon distributed to the entire school.
- Math Club takes part in math competitions around Washington. Many students also joined ARML in which they competed in Las Vegas. Interlake has won many trophies with many students taking advanced math classes at Interlake. Scot Millhollen coaches Math Club.
- Key Club is part of the international Key ClubKey ClubKey Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
organization, the oldest and largest service program for high school students. Key Club is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. They meet on Wednesdays after school in the library to inform the students about upcoming service events and opportunities. Key Club is a great way to meet other students and have fun while serving the community. - Saints Robotics is a FIRST RoboticsFIRST Robotics CompetitionThe FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST. Each year, teams of high school students compete to build robots weighing up to , not including battery and bumpers, that can complete a task, which changes every year...
team (Team 1899) consisting of about sixty students. They meet after school on Wednesdays and Fridays to create robots for the annual FIRST Robotics Competition as well as the VEX Competition. They also maintain a website, participate in the 3D animation competition, and are involved in their community. Saints Robotics has won several competitions, including the Website Excellence and Autodesk Excellence in Design competition (for 3D animations). The VEX team, constituting mainly of freshmen and several upperclassmen mentors, earned fifth place at the Worlds Competition in 2009. In March 2011, Saints Robotics, along with two other teams, won the Olympic Regional in the FIRST Robotics Competition. - Amnesty International is a club that works to prevent and end abuses of human rights. They do various projects such as selling T-shirts to promote awareness of the crisis in DarfurDarfurDarfur is a region in western Sudan. An independent sultanate for several hundred years, it was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. The region is divided into three federal states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North Darfur...
. - Green Team is a club that promotes a greener school, reducing paper use, reducing the use of electricity, and promoting recycling.
- Fleur de Lys is a club for upperclassmen that run major school events such as graduation, 8th-grade parent night, and tolo.
- Future Problem Solvers is a student-coached club participating in the Future Problem Solvers International program. The club is highly successful, and has received numerous awards at the state and international level.
- Honor Society is a club that works to promote service to the community, both in and outside of school. They do various projects such as valentine grams, food drives, and work with the local YMCA organization.
- Chemistry Club, also known as Chem Club, is an after-school club that meets every week to do unique experiments/labs not normally conducted in class and at the same time discuss questions about chemistry.
- Chess Club, coached by Michael O'Byrne, has competed in nationals and has won state. Notable alumni include National Master Michael Chen.
- Speech and Debate is the recently-founded school debate team. They compete in various regional tournaments, and are closely associated with the nearby Newport High SchoolNewport High SchoolNewport High School may refer to:* Newport High School * Newport High School * Newport High School * Newport High School * Newport High School * Newport High School...
debate team, with whom they train and travel. Speech and Debate has enjoyed significant successes in its first few months, with the top team members winning numerous speaker awards in Impromptu Speaking and Public Forum Debate. - DECA is a club based around business and marketing. Interlake DECA has attended the DECADECA (organization)DECA, also known as Collegiate DECA on the college level) is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service . DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing,...
international competition.
Notable alumni
- Michael AllanMichael AllanMichael Christopher Allan is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
– former tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
for the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Larry Andersen – former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player from 1975 to 1994 - Chris DeGarmoChris DeGarmoChris DeGarmo is an American heavy metal and hard rock guitarist. He co-founded Queensrÿche in 1981 and played with the group during their most commercially successful period. Since departing from the band, DeGarmo has continued his involvement in the music business in a much smaller capacity...
– former guitarist for the Grammy Nominated band QueensrÿcheQueensrÿchethumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton.... - Luke EsserLuke EsserLuke Esser was the chairman of the Republican Party of Washington from 2007 to 2011. He was elected on January 27, 2007, when he defeated incumbent chairwoman Diane Tebelius, was re-elected in 2009, but lost to Kirby Wilbur in 2011....
– state senator and chairman of the Washington State Republican PartyWashington State Republican PartyThe Washington State Republican Party is the state affiliate of the national Republican Party, headquartered in Bellevue.The Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party is Kirby Wilbur, former host of the morning drive show on 570 KVI radio in Seattle for over fourteen years. The Vice Chair... - Tom FlickTom FlickThomas Lyle Flick is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 4th round of the 1981 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 190 lbs. quarterback from the University of Washington, Flick played in seven NFL seasons from 1981-1987...
– former quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for University of WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
and former NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
quarterback with the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Jim MoraJim L. MoraJames Lawrence "Jim" Mora is an American former NCAA defensive back and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for the NFL Network....
– former NFL head coachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, University of Washington LBLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
-DBDefensive backIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... - John OlerudJohn OlerudJohn Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball. Olerud played with the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Mets , Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox ....
– former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. - Timothy OmundsonTimothy OmundsonTimothy Michael Omundson is an American actor perhaps most notable for his supporting roles as Sean Potter on the CBS television series Judging Amy, Eli on the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, and as Carlton Lassiter in the hit USA Network series Psych...
– professional actor, currently on PsychPsychPsych is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks and broadcast on USA Network. It stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened observational skills" and impressive detective instincts...
(USA Network) - Steve PelluerSteve PelluerSteven Carl Pelluer is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 5th round of the 1984 NFL Draft. A 6'4", 209-lb...
– former quarterback for the University of Washington, the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
and Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Matt PitmanMatt PitmanMatt Pitman is an American public address announcer for the Women's National Basketball Association Seattle Storm.Pitman is also a broadcaster with KIRO in Seattle, Washington. He has worked at KIRO covering all Seattle area sports, as well as serving on the pre and post game broadcasts of the...
– former Public addressPublic addressA public address system is an electronic amplification system with a mixer, amplifier and loudspeakers, used to reinforce a sound source, e.g., a person giving a speech, a DJ playing prerecorded music, and distributing the sound throughout a venue or building.Simple PA systems are often used in...
announcerAnnouncerAn announcer is a presenter who makes "announcements" in an audio medium or a physical location.-Television and other media:Some announcers work in television production , radio or filmmaking, usually providing narrations, news updates, station identification, or an introduction of a product in...
of the NBA's Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonicsThe Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as... - Chuck SwirskyChuck SwirskyChuck Swirsky is the radio play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. He was formerly the longtime play-by-play voice of the Toronto Raptors....
– radio play by play announcer of the NBA's Chicago Bulls - Nancy Wilson (rock musician) – co-leader with her sister Ann of the world famous band Heart; class of 1972
- Michael WiltonMichael WiltonMichael Wilton is an American guitarist for the progressive metal band Queensrÿche. Wilton attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle where he met future Queensrÿche drummer Scott Rockenfield and began recording in 1981...
– guitarist for the Grammy Nominated band QueensrÿcheQueensrÿchethumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton.... - Brian WoodBrian Wood (journalist)Brian Wood is a television news anchor, reporter and managing editor.-Biography:Brian Wood is currently anchor and reporter for KATU-TV in Portland, OR...
– anchor and reporter for KATU-TV in Portland, OregonPortland, OregonPortland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States... - Craig Leen – city attorney of Coral Gables, FloridaCoral Gables, FloridaCoral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....