Bellevue Public Schools District 405

Did my K-​12 time in the BSD! I was first incarcerated at Medina Elementary, then worked my way through Chinook Middle and Bellevue High School. Got my release papers almost 4 years ago now but still have a few thoughts to share.
For those parents (MOMS) who complain about the bullying here, you’re delusional for thinking that doesn’t go on everywhere. Yes a lot of kids come from very rich families and there can be pressure to have expensive things, but these schools are very safe. I never once worried about my physical safety in my 13 years here. And that should count for something.
I can’t say how things are done today (Medina and Bellevue have both been remodeled since I went there) but I thought they found ways to skew the national school ranking. Bellevue has since fallen down the list, but when I attended there was a huge emphasis on AP classes. The more AP tests students take, the higher the school will be ranked. On one hand it was good that students were encouraged to push themselves. But it was also frustrating. I think honors classes were created so students who excelled in a subject could take the harder class and learn more instead of being bored in the core class. Bellevue wants everyone to take the harder classes and it totally slows down everything. The smart kids are bored, and the average kids are confused. It might look better for the school but I think it defeats the purpose.
Another thing that has changed is Robinswood, the alternative school. When I attended this is where the «bad» students were sent (read: the students bringing the school average down.) Robinswood has since been closed and I’m not sure what they do with the problem students now, but that was another way they made the school look better overall.
My last comment is about the BHS football team. They won state 3 out of the 4 years I was there. I hate football and thought too much emphasis was put on it. BUT at the same time, I get very defensive when people (usually dads) from outside the school say that Bellevue «recruits» players from other districts. Maybe they do… But I can say for certain that almost all the players were in the BSD before they even started playing junior football. Seriously though… Why don’t other schools start doing that wing T play shit???
For public schools, these were really good schools and I think people put too much stock into the ranking and football. The majority of the teachers really care and I felt like I got a rounded, quality education.

Smaller communities, great access to large city, nationally-​ranked test scores, and top-​notch teachers. This school district is the best in the Northwest.

One of the best school districts I’ve ever gone to. Then again, most of my life I spent inside many different schools in Las Vegas, so it’s like trying to compare the rich to the poor.
I transferred to this district after leaving a «special» school for math and science. How much I learned in middle school after leaving was just … WOW. Things are much different in the 405 and it’s for good reason.
I’d have to disagree with Selena — that most teachers actually care here. Unlike in Vegas, where the teachers are bogged down with many more students due to overcrowded classrooms. You can come back here a few years later and many teachers will still remember you individually and strike up a conversation.
Many of the schools in this district keep ending on the top 100 Newsweek, which is something to mention. Bellevue High, Newport High and at the top is International High School.
So, before sending your kids to that private school (which we saw quite a few transfers at freshmen orientation), just try out the public system. It’s not that bad.

Where do I start… one of the high schools in this district pays there head football coach over 100,000 dollars. they aim for diversity, by bussing some of the better black athletes in seattle over to the beautiful eastside.
When visiting a school in the district for a basketball game, it was disgusting to hear the chants from there student section. Hey kiddies, be creative, not rude.
If I lived in this district. I would send my son to Garfield or Ballard High… due to the pressure of being so IN at these schools. I will give them some props for passing school bonds, which is unheard of in this state.

Wow. I can write a review for my school district? This is awesome.
Okay, I’m a product of BPSD 405… Medina, Chinook then Bellevue.
Although the schools are ranked fairly high on a national level, the overall atmosphere was not that friendly and most of the time I’m personally left worried about the state of national public education. If this is GOOD… how bad is the bad?
Most of the teachers are really not that into their students, the school counselors don’t give a rats ass about caring for their students or helping them truly find ways to pursue their interests (which may not be found at an Ivy league), and the parents compete on who can dote the most on their child by giving them BMW’s and Mercedes for their sweet 16. It’s a Laguna Beach want to be school district.
On the quality of education, I guess its rated on the better side, but if you can, parents send your kids to private school where kids will get a better foundation on basic English, math, etc skills.