About BHS . . . In The Day (In Progress . . .
BELLEVUE SCHOOLS
1996 Dr. Mike Riley is hired as superintendent.
ESL students made up 8 percent of the district’s enrollment. (Source: Bellevue School
District Profiles 1995-1996)
School enrollment – 15,389
1997 Full day kindergarten programs were added to every elementary school with financial
assistance for low to moderate income families.
First-year WASL results from the statewide fourth grade
A new model for evaluating certificated staff was developed (CPEs) and Peer Assistance
and Review Panel in conjunction with the BEA.
School enrollment -15,450
1998 Curriculum changes introduced for grades 6-12 for the 1998-1999 school year.
1999 In the fall of this year, Off Campus High School is moved to the former Robinswood
Elementary building. It is renamed Robinswood High School.
Robinswood Middle School begins in the fall and is also located at the former
Robinswood Elementary building.
2000 Bellevue High School Class of 2000 worked with the City to rename the road leading up
to the school from Kilmarnock to Wolverine Way.
2001 Old Highland School located at 14505 N. E. 29th Pl. burned down after being vacant for
3 months. It had been moved to this location in 1972 when 520 was being built.
Bellevue Schools Timeline
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Olympus, a small alternative school, closes in June after 27 years.
2002 In February, 2002, the voters of the Bellevue School District approved the sale of $324
million dollars in Unlimited General Obligation Bonds with a 73% approval rate. This
approval allowed the District to demolish and re-build eleven of its sixteen elementary
schools; significantly modernize two of the four District high schools; add performing
arts centers at the two other high schools; and provide science room or performing arts
areas at the middle schools. As a result, between 1993 and 2013 all of the District
school facilities will be renewed. Each facility will be brought to common educational
and architectural standards that will reduce the cost of operating and maintaining school
facilities as well as providing the optimal learning environment for students. (Source:
Bellevue School District website – facilities.)
Phantom Lake Elementary – Project began May 2002 – Completed August 2003. The
first completely new elementary school building in 30 years.
2003 Sammamish High School is remodeled - Project began May 2003 completed in Spring
2005. A new Performing arts center was added, a new administrative complex, and
extensively remodeled library media center and new student commons.
Interlake High School - Project began Spring 2003 – completed August 2005.
International School (former Hyak Middle School building) - Project began May 2003 –
completed Fall 2004.
Somerset Elementary School – Project began June 2003 – completed August 2004.
A Bellevue High School student was pictured on the cover of the February 2, 2003
Newsweek Magazine for its rating of America’s top 100 high schools. Bellevue,
International, and Newport high schools were listed in the top 20. Sammamish and
Interlake made the honor roll.
2004 School enrollment – 15,396
Lake Hills Elementary - School Project began June 2004 – completed August 2005.
13 teachers earned their National Board Certification
A new Home School Connection Center opens. Now called Kelsey Creek Home School.
2005 Medina Elementary School – Project began July 2005 – completed August 2006.
Newport High School – Project began July 2005.Classroom addition completed
December 2006. Entire project completed by Spring 2008.
Bellevue Schools Timeline
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2006 School enrollment - 16,000 +
Woodridge Elementary School –Project began June 2006 – completed Fall 2007.
40 hours of community service is a requirement for graduation.
2006 The closed Bellewood Elementary School building continues to be used to house
elementary schools that are being rebuilt.
16 elementary schools. 5 regular middle schools and 2 alternative (Robinswood Middle
School and International School) 4 regular high schools and 2 alternative (Robinswood
High School and International High School.
Upcoming school projects:
Newport Heights Elementary – Project to begin June 2007. Students will remain
in the present building. The new building will be built on the old Lake Heights
Elementary School site.
Sherwood Forest Elementary – Project to begin June 2007.
2007 Superintendent Mike Riley resigns. Karen Clark becomes Interim Superintendent
Bellevue Schools Timeline
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BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUPERINTENDENTS
1918 – 1942 M. Frank Odle
1942 – 1944 Ray Howar
1944 – 1947 Drayton E. Marsh
1947 – 1952 Roy T. Thordarson
1953 – 1959 Dr. George Brain
1956 –1957
(Acting)
Dr. Roy Wahle
1960 – 1965 Myron Ernst
1965 – 1969 Dr. John Brubacher
1969 – 1974 Dr. William H. Morton
1974 – 1984 Dr. Dennis Carmichael
1984 – 1995 Dr. Don R. O’Neil
1995 - 1996
(Interim)
Paul Sjunnesen
1996 - 2007 Mike Riley
2007 –
(Interim)
Karen Clark
Bellevue Schools Timeline
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BELLEVUE SCHOOLS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1887 - 1893 Albert Burrows, J. B. Warren, A. H. Seely, W. E. Conway
1893 - ?
Albert Burrows, Isaac K. Bechtel, Charles Meyers, Lucien Sharp
(Clerk)
1893 - ? John Zwiefelhofer, A. J. Fagerberg, and S. H. Fosnaugh (Clerk)
(Northup District 96)
1930 - ? Tony Aries, Wilfred Swanson, Chris Nelson, Victor Lysell
1932 – 1942 Borghild Ringdall (Highland School District No. 57)
1942 – 1943 Kemper Freeman, Sr.
1942 – 1949 Stanley Donogh
1942 – 1943 Williard Hanson
1942 – 1947 Story Birdseye
1942 – 1948 Borghild Ringdall
1942 – 1948 Dan Conley
1943 – 1947 George Marshall
1946 – 1950 Marion Gauntlett
1947 – 1953 Lawrence Carlson
1948 – 1954 Dr. Paul Lund
1948 – 1952 William Ottinger
1949 – 1950 Harold B. Ridgway
1950 – 1952 Kenneth Cole
1950 – 1970 Dr. Fernley W. Duey
1952 – 1960 Al Thompson, Jr.
1952 – 1954 Norman O’Farrell
1953 – 1954 Edwin E. Spaulding
1953 – 1971 Ruth Morrell
1954 – 1963 Nan Carkeek
1954 – 1963 Philip Bronson
1960 – 1962 Dr. Jack B. Rice
1962 – 1969 Axel Julin
1963 – 1970 David G. Douglas
1963 – 1964 John Pehrson
1964 – 1972 Donald Nordstrom
1969 – 1974 George Kargianis
1970 – 1978 Allen G. Oakley
1970 – 1972 Margaret Ruch
1971 – 1977 Charles Sparling
1972 – 1983 Margaret H. Raymond
1972 – 1975 James K. Wellman
1974 – 1981 Emilio Cantu
1975 – 1979 Earle Murray
Bellevue Schools Timeline
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1977 – 1979 Peter Lucas
1978 – 1981 Donald Bazemore
1979 – 1987 Judith Williams
1979 – 1987 Mike Creighton
1981 – 1989 Vivian Albertson
1981 – 1989 James Church
1983 – 1991 Philip Noble
1987 – 1991 Malcom Douglas
1987 – 1991 Sherrie Mill
1989 – 1993 Ann Lukens
1991 – 1994 Richard Hanks
1989 – 2001 Wayne Tanaka
1991 – 1997 Kathleen Brown
1991 Judy Bushnell (Term expires 2011)
1993 – 2004 Steve Miller
1994 – 1999 Karen Penewell
1997 Peter Bentley (Term expires 2011)
1999 - 2007 Jan Still
Page 19 of 21
RESOURCES
Bowden, Angie Burt. Early Schools of Washington Territory. Seattle: Loman and Hanford Company, 1935. 542 pp.
Karolevitz, Robert F. Kemper Freeman Sr. and the Bellevue Story. Mission Hill, SD: Homestead Press, 1984, 162 pp.
Kirk, Ruth and Carmela Alexander. Exploring Washington's Past A Road Guide to History. Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1990, 542 pp.
McDonald, Lucile. Bellevue: Its First 700 Years. Fairfield, WA: Ye Galleon Press, 1984, 152 pp. "Presented by the Bellevue Friends of the Library." Revised and republished by the Bellevue Historical Society 2000 with a 36 page introduction by Charles P. LeWarne.
McDonald, Lucile. Lucile McDonald's Eastside Notebook: 701 Local History Vignettes. Redmond, WA: Marymoor Museum, 1993, 231 pp. and map. Edited by Lorraine McConaghy.
McDonald, Lucile. The Lake Washington Story A Pictorial History. 1979.
McDonald, Lucile. Historical articles written by her for the local newspaper.
Ficken, Robert E. and Charles P. LeWarne. Washington A Centennial History. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1988.
Bibb, Thomas William. History of Early Common School Education in Washington. 1929.
Stein, Alan J., HistoryLink Staff and Eastside Heritage Center Volunteers. Bellevue Timeline The Story of Washington’s Leading Edge City From Homesteads to High Rises, 1863 – 2003. 95 pp.
City of Bellevue. Bellevue Chronicle 1863 - 1992. Bellevue, WA: Information Department, 1992, 42 pp.
City of Bellevue. Bellevue Historic and Cultural Resources Survey. Bellevue, WA: 1993 Updated July 1997 Prepared for the City of Bellevue Design and Development Department by Caroline C. Tobin and Lee F. Pendergrass.
Greater Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. Greater Bellevue Washington. Yakima, WA: Republic Publications, 1956, 92 pp.
Bellevue School District. Facilities Master Plan: Bellevue, WA: 1993.
The Bellevue Story, a long-range plan for the Bellevue Schools. Developed by local citizens, the school staff, and the King County Planning Department and Commission. 1951.
Bellevue Schools Timeline
Page 20 of 21
2000 Microsoft launches the technology access foundation Academy, or TAF Academy, a public-private partnership with the Bellevue School District, at Newport High School.
Enrollment – 15,970
TAF Academy’s enrollment is 70 percent students of color, with more than 60 percent of the students living in poverty.
2001 Enrollment – 15,878
2002 Enrollment – 15,884
2003 Bellevue High School undergoes extensive renovations.
2004 Bellevue High School completes renovations.
2005 Bellevue High School is named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
2006 The Bellevue School District begins a program to replace older schools with new buildings.
2007 The Bellevue School District opens a new facility for the Puesta del Sol Elementary School.
2008 The Bellevue School District completes the construction of a new building for the International School.
2009 The Bellevue School District begins implementing a district-wide technology plan, which includes providing laptops for every high school student.
2010 The Bellevue School District launches a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program at Bellevue High School.
2011 The Bellevue School District completes renovations at several elementary schools, including Cherry Crest, Eastgate, and Somerset.
2012 The Bellevue School District opens a new building for Odle Middle School.
2013 The Bellevue School District implements a new district-wide initiative to improve student engagement and achievement.
2014 The Bellevue School District launches a new dual-language immersion program at Lake Hills Elementary.
2015 The Bellevue School District opens a new building for Sammamish High School.
2016 The Bellevue School District begins construction on a new building for Clyde Hill Elementary.
2017 The Bellevue School District opens the new Clyde Hill Elementary building.
2018 The Bellevue School District completes renovations at several middle schools, including Tyee, Tillicum, and Chinook.
2019 The Bellevue School District opens a new building for International School.
2020 The Bellevue School District begins construction on a new building for Big Picture School.
2021 The Bellevue School District completes construction of the new Big Picture School building.
2022 The Bellevue School District begins planning for a new high school in the downtown area.
2023 The Bellevue School District launches a new strategic plan focused on equity, innovation, and student achievement.
2002 Paul Mills (Term expires 2009)
2004 Chris Marks (Term expires 2009)
2008 Michael Murphy (Term expires 2011)
Research and information compiled from various sources by Mary Ellen Piro
Updated February 2008
Any additions or corrections are welcome
Eastside Heritage Center
P.O. Box 40535
Bellevue, WA 98015
425-450-1049
www.eastsideheritagecenter.org
Bellevue Schools Timeline
Bellevue Schools Timeline
Page 21 of 21
Peterson, Delbert G. and Jesse Hartman. The History and Development of the Long-Range Plan in the Bellevue School District, 1959.
Howard, Ray W. Some Recollections on the History of Bellevue School District. 1973, 3 pp.
Bell-Views. Bellevue Public Schools staff publication. April 1966.
BELLEVUES. Staff publication of the Bellevue School District, March 1968.
Your Bellevue School Report. A newsletter to citizens. October 1968, 4 pp.
"Connections to the Past" Bellevue School District School Report. Prepared by Interlake High School Journalism students and Interlake Graphics Communication Program. 1989, 8 pp.
Rohn, Tom and Junior History Class. History of Bellevue. Bellevue High School. 1971.
Bellevue Historical Society Timeline 1863-1970. 1994, 7 pp.
Lake Washington Reflectors Published by W. E. LeHuquet. 1918-1934.
Overlake Outlook 1946, 1952.
Bellevue American 1944-1952.
The Beacon 1924 - 2006 Bellevue High School Yearbooks
The Barque Bellevue High School Student Newspaper
Bellevue School District Website
Conversations with long time Bellevue residents, Bellevue School employees, and former students.
Puget Sound Regional Archives
Bellevue Historical Society & Marymoor Museum Collections
Eastside Heritage Center Archives Winters House. 2102 Bellevue Way S.E. Bellevue, WA 98015
425-450-1046