International Community School's first graduates

Seniors laughingly recall the "good old days," when they were among the first students at the fledgling International Community School.

The year was 1997. The small, academically rigorous public school occupied five portable classrooms behind Redmond High School with an acting principal, a secretary, a handful of teachers and 107 seventh- and eighth-grade students.

There was no running water. The intercom system was wired to Redmond High, so until it was disconnected, classes were interrupted by the other school's announcements. Redmond High students called it "the backyard school."

"It was tough at first," said senior Prem Kumar, 18. "No one knew anybody here; it was kind of scary. But we've grown into a family."

And the school's first students have grown out of high school. The first senior class of the International Community School — a tightly knit group of 25 — graduates Monday.

"I feel that they are proof that this school is operating as it should be and even better," said Principal Cindy Duenas, who became principal partway through the school's first year. "It's a great feeling."

The Lake Washington School District's first community-initiated school — which has topped out at 370 students in the seventh through 12th grades — was created at the urging of a group of parents referred to as "the founding four." The parents approached the district about creating a small school that offered six years of in-depth curriculum with a theme of international studies.

"The parents developed this vision and school-philosophy statement," said Cindy Meilleur, the district's assistant superintendent of student services. "They came and met with me, and we said, 'OK, let's look at it.' "

The International Community School is one of the district's 10 "choice" schools, which are specifically designed to meet students' diverse needs. Creating a choice school requires gaining approval from an advisory committee made up of parents, teachers and staff members.

School's first graduation The first graduation at the International Community School will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. A reception will follow in the lobby. Tickets to the graduation are available at the school office, 11133 N.E. 65th St., Kirkland.

International Community School students are chosen through a lottery, and there's a waiting list of nearly 200 for next year.

Two years ago, the school moved into a space in Kirkland formerly used by the district for special services. Students take core classes in humanities, math, science, arts, world languages and international studies for five years. As seniors, they have the option to take elective courses at other district high schools or community colleges.

"I liked the idea of the six core subjects ... the continuity of it," said Judi Heintz, a parent who has been actively involved in the school since Day One. Her son, Kyle, will graduate Monday. "There wasn't much fluff involved. To survive at this school, you have be pretty dedicated."

International Community School students have consistently outscored state and district yearly performance in several standardized tests, including the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. All 25 graduating seniors have been accepted by the colleges they chose, including Stanford University, Reed College, Boston University and the University of Washington.

But there are some downsides to attending a school so focused on academics. There are no sports teams or drama clubs or pep rallies. But students can play in intramural sports or with teams at other district high schools.

"We do miss those things, but we have the best of both worlds," said junior Alison O'Neill, 17.

"I play softball for Eastlake High School. We have the family atmosphere (at school), and you can play sports at your home high school."

Teachers and students are close, often seeing each other in class for several years.

"We have a better sense of where they're coming from and where they're going," said John Heil, who has taught science at the school since it opened. "Some of the students I've had for five years."

Students say the small and open environment makes them more comfortable in class.

"When we have class discussions, you can open up more," O'Neill said. "Everyone respects everyone else's opinions, even though we often disagree."

The first graduating class also enjoyed the freedom to create what they didn't have.

"We put together the ASB (associated student body). I organized the prom," said senior Cindy Bevan, 18.

"As students, we have actually put together everything ourselves."

They chose a mascot (a phoenix), school colors (crimson, gold and black) and a motto ("Forever We Rise").

"It was exciting being in on the process of building a school identity," Heintz said.

"(The students) have bonds you just don't see anywhere else, and it stems from being in that first group and sticking with it."

Pam Sitt can be reached at 206-464-2376 or psitt@seattletimes.com.