505 Spring Street Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-6393 FAX (360) 378-4220
Margaret Hope, Head of School,
Director of Admissions, Director of College Counseling
CEEB/ACT Code 480413

The Island Community

Friday Harbor is a town of 1,900 on rural San Juan Island. It is the county seat of San Juan County, whose total population is approximately 12,500. San Juan Island, located 22 miles off the coast of Washington and reached only by ferry, plane, or private transportation, is one of four major islands in the county. The University of Washington Marine Biology Laboratories and a branch of Skagit Valley College are located on San Juan, as is an active community theatre.

The School

Spring Street School is an independent, non-profit, coeducational, college preparatory day school, grades 6 through 12, with an enrollment of 46 in middle school and 44 in high school. This year's senior class has seven members. The School draws from throughout the San Juan Islands, with students from Lopez, Shaw and Orcas Islands commuting by ferry up to two hours round trip per day.

Spring Street School was founded in 1995 in response to community interest in an alternative school with a rigorous academic program. The School opened with 32 students in grades 6 through 9; this year's senior class will be the third to graduate. The School is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and is pursuing membership in the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools. The School’s unique setting facilitates educational experiences within the local environment and the use of specialists in the community to provide additional resources. Because the School fosters global, environmental and social consciousness in its students, it has established educational and service centers in Central America and Asia. Study and service programs at these centers are offered in collaboration with the School’s sister organization, the Institute for Village Studies, which issues credit to college students from schools across the U.S. for participation in the programs.

Admissions

Admissions are competitive and are based on previous academic work, recommendations, test scores, and extra-curricular talent. Strong personal character and a commitment to learning are of primary importance in admissions decisions. Parents also commit to volunteering time, which reduces program costs and enhances family involvement in the School. Tuition for 2000-2001 is $6,400.

Faculty and Staff

Of the 10 faculty members, 7 are certified, 4 hold advanced degrees, and 2 have advanced degrees in progress. The faculty has an average of 13 years in teaching. Additional staff include a professional technology coordinator; a certified drama instructor who is also a professional actor and director; and an experiential education professional who leads field and wilderness trips and assists in the direction of the overseas programs. There are 3 administrative assistants and many parent volunteers. Each student has a faculty advisor.

Grading System -- Graduation Requirements -- Class System

The grade point average is calculated on a grading scale of A = 4.0. A cumulative GPA is calculated every semester. Advanced Placement courses do not receive additional points. Each single semester half credit is weighted equally, with the exception of pass/fail courses. 23 credits (18 required and 5 elective) and 80 hours of community service are required for graduation.

All students take the SAT, the PSAT in their junior year, and an ITBS annually. About half of the seniors also take the ACT and/or the SAT II tests. SAT scores for this year’s seniors to date average 575 verbal and 535 math; last year’s seniors averaged 628 verbal and 604 math.
Six of the School’s seven seniors this year are college bound. Because of its philosophy and small size, the School does not rank its students. Individual honors and awards are limited.

Curriculum

All academic courses in the Upper School are college preparatory. Not all AP classes are available every year.
Mathematics (4 years required): Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Statistics; business math or computer science alternatives after Algebra II requirement is met.
English (4 years required): English 9-12 including AP English Language and Composition, and AP English Literature and Composition.
Science (3 years required, minimum 2 lab): Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Physics.
Social Studies (4 years required): U.S. History, World History, Civics, AP U.S. Government, Constitutional History, World Affairs, AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics, Asian Civilizations, World Religions, and Philosophy.
Foreign Language (3 years required): Spanish I, II, III, and independent study in other languages. Other classes include Art, AP Studio Art, Computer Sciences, Media Studies, Ethics, PE/ Health, and Photography.
Environmental Science and Oceanography are independently available at Skagit Valley College and credit is accepted at Spring Street School.

1999 and 2000 Collage Acceptances

Beloit College, Colorado College, The Evergreen State College, Fairhaven College at Western Washington University, Friends World Program at Long Island University, Kalamazoo College, Lewis and Clark College, Linfield College, New College of the University of Southern Florida, Marlboro College, Pacific Lutheran University, Prescott College, Reed College, Rocky Mountain College, St. Andrews University in Scotland, Sarah Lawrence College, Seattle University, Southern Oregon University, Stanford University, Unity College, University of Hawaii, University of Washington, Whitman College.