Research Kamiak High School Public Schools in Mountlake Terrace, Washington

“We moved into the school district so that our kids could attend the quality schools in this area such as Kamiak, Harbour Pointe, and Columbia. We have not been dissappointed. The teachers and staff are dedicated and really work together. Opportunities are endless for any student with clubs and specialized classes in so many diverse areas. Standards are High and communication is outstanding.”

“This school has a lot more opportunities than most, and students who look for and engage in them will feel better about their time spent here. The best classroom experiences at Kamiak come from those that the student applies him/herself to, so challenge yourself. The Honors/AP teachers are excellent.”

“Our school is great! We have great teachers (Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Micheal, Mr. Kirkpatrick, and Mr. Davis to name a few.) We have great art programs and the majority of the students are good.”

“Kamiak is a good school as far as challenging classes and a fair amount of good teachers. The enviroment is not the best and its very easy to get lost in the everyday crowd. The school is also over crowded and you cant even fit everyone into an assembly. I would recomend Kamiak if you have a high self esteem and your up to challenging classes.”

“Perhaps it is not the most diverse school of all, due simply to it's location, but it is definately one of the top learning facilities in the area.”

“I attended this school for four years and have to say the overall quality of the school was awful. Not only does Kamiak offer nothing in the way of diversity, it is rife with teachers who are both apathetic and unskilled. That's not to say there weren't a few gems - Ms. Boucher, Ms. Russell, Mr. Costello, Mr. Beckner, Mr. Steves to name a few - but for the most part the teachers were awful.”

“Having spent four years at Kamiak and graduating in 2005, I can say that this is a school with a lot going for it. Unfortunately, this school's not without its problems. The most striking thing about Kamiak is the sheer number of people. The teaching staff is streched. However, the most important thing I took away from Kamiak was the sheer dedication of the teaching staff, not only to their respective subjects but to the students that they teach. I can credit three special teachers for my decision to become a teacher myself. One of the issues that kamiak faces is a lack of funding for their academic programs. At the same time, some of the sports teams get new uniforms every year. It seems to me that the district needs to stop focusing on winning football games and focus more on getting every student involved and learning to their fullest.”

“Kamiak was a great school for my child to attend. She had great teachers that made a difference in her life. The sports departments are great. The Music department is excellent. My neice is now attending this school and has done great.”

“I love this school! arts are great. Teachers return email immediately and the principal is caring, compassionate and has the best interest of the students. The football coach teaches guitar and football, and was even available for students during the summer. Low end...High percentage of very high income families who give their kids bmw's and other over the top cars...And designer clothes, which makes for a hostile environment to try to develop equality among the high school community. Only about 100 students out of a couple of 1000 show up for dances because the music played is not what the students want. It's what the pto and counselors allow. Overall...Its an amazing school, with amazing faculty. There needs to be more focus on 'listening' to what the students would like in the form expressing themselves within reason.”

“I am enrolled at KHS and I love every day there! The english and fine arts departments have extremely high reviews from my peers, and the staff rocks! Go Knights!”

“Over all Kamiak is a great school. We have wonderful teachers any kind of club you could dream about, superb art and music programs, and great involving coaches for sports. We also have a wonderful acedemic prgrams including honors programs. Many of these atributes do however come to us because of our slightly upperclass surroundings, making the parental involvement high. But overl all Kamiak is a consideribly good school”

“Good School. Seems like they have a high student to teacher ratio. High parent involvement and commitment.”

“My daughter went to HP middle for 3 years. Her first year at Kamiak lasted 1 month before she transfered to another school. The teachers are impossible to get a hold of and had no concern of my daughters grades. Treated more as a college student then a freshman in HS. Big change from middle school right next door.”

“This is an excellent high school, offering more AP courses than any other school in Snohomish County. Some 44% of the juniors and seniors will take at least one AP course. The school itself is only 11 years old and is in a community that s in the late stages of development, meaning that enrollment continues to grow and the class size is the worst I ve seen. But there s enormous community pride in the school, one that shows in high participation in activities such as orchestra, theatre, band and sports. The 2004 Kamiak class sent 90% of its students on to college, with students collecting more than $3 million in grants and scholarships. There were 4 National Merit Scholars. Drug issues are never non-existent in American high schools but the problem at this school is widely overblown. Which is not to say that the school doesn t have problems: classes are often at the maximum of 31 students - a limit set not by the district or state but thankfully by the teachers contract. Virtually every room in the school is in use, including temporary classrooms and the school is well above the capacity it was built for with new housing still being constructed in the area. Management at the school board level was disgraceful before 2000. It has since stabilized but the district superintendent was fired in 2003 and the high school is on its 3rd principal in 3 years after the superintendent removed the school s first principal. Still, the teaching staff is devoted and involved. And the district has a commitment to introducing the International Baccalaureate program to the school next year. There are some good online resources about the school, not the least of which is the high school s own web page. The Seattle Times evaluation of college prep capabilities: http://schoolguide.seattletimes.nwsource.com/story.cfm?slug=collegeprep Seattle Times School Guide: http://schoolguide.seattletimes.nwsource.com/schoolprofile.cfm?profileID=4433MLH One of the hidden gems for parents is on the Kamiak website, the Daily Student Bulletin which gives parents the chance to see what s going on within the school in a detailed fashion: http://schools.mukilteo.wednet.edu/ka/bulletin/index.htm”

“I attened kamiak 3 years ago and would never put my child in this school. The after school activities are wonderful, ap classes will get you ready for college and the arts programs are very nice. But the teachers, counselors, ext are not involved and do not care. Students that participate in varsity sports will get the attendtion they need, other will not. I transfered schools in my junior year to try and get a better education. I dont reccomend this school for your child.”

“At Kamiak High the drug problem is not as big a problem as it used to be. Now it is tottaly under control now and is not as bad now that there are many extra after school activities for students to partcicipate in. You defintly find alot of good influences from the great suburban neighborhoods. Many of the students are very well mannnerd and courteus. The parents are very invovled. And the Sports are very good in the state. The Performing arts is one of the best in the Northwest. You defitnitly will find alot of nice cars, and Abercrombie at Kamiak. you will definitly fiond alot of acceptance. The new students are very welcomed by the students. Overall Kamiak High School is one of the best schools here in Western Washington.”

“Overall this school has many opportunities and it is up to the child/parent to choose from an array of such. It has a serious drug problem but with guidance to your child it can be avoided. The music/drama department has the least of the drug problems, with athletics being near the top. The students are a bit self-involved. It is not uncommon to see BMW,Lexus's, and Infinities,ets in the parking lot. They are NOT the teachers. It is common for parents to give their kids these cars. Overall the school is a good one although highly political in nature. The wealthy control this school so (kids)dress nice. Drama and music seem to have the best overall students(attitude and grades).I find that some of the teachers need a serious attitude ajustment as they dont seem to feel the need to help the kids learn.Just stay involved....”