Alternative schools are popping up now more than ever. Most schools fall under the company of Big Picture, which has lots of innovative schools in America and even more across the world. One of them is in Issaquah, Washington. It’s named Gibson Ek High School after the last names of the first graduating class of Issaquah High School in 1911. Their names were Mary Gibson, Olive Gibson, and Mabel Ek. This new school is what is known as an “innovative school”. Just like my school, Highline Big Picture, students pick out their own projects to do, accomplish them, and then present them to the teachers and students.
I went to the school to look around and see what they were up to. Their school building used to belong to Issaquah Middle School, but then they moved across the street from Issaquah High School and Gibson Ek moved into the old building where IMS used to be. There’s a cafeteria for students to have lunch in and multiple classrooms for them to work in. In addition, there’s a small library in the hall, a few science labs, and places for students to sit down, talk, and relax.
I talked to some students and asked them some questions. Here are the best answers.
Question 1: Why did you join Gibson Ek?
“School has never been a strong point for me. I found it extremely stressful and giving me all sorts of mental issues. My parents thought ‘Why don’t we just put her in a different kind of school?’ and I agreed, so I’m here now and I love it.” -Lauren Williams, 10th grade
“I don’t like work getting shoved down on me and been expected to do the work so fast. Plus, I get to choose what I want to learn instead of being forced to learn something else.” -Andrew Evers, 9th grade
Question 2: What have you achieved in just half a year of attending here?
“I learned how to contact people better and get a hold of them for internships. I’ve also learned how to 3D print, so that’s pretty cool.”-Seth Battaglia, 10th grade
“I’ve achieved learning about our school’s laser cutter and being the manager of it. My friends and I are working on a drone project where we’re rebuilding a racing drone for the school with its own course.” -Michael Oshima, 9th grade
Question 3: Describe your favorite memory here.
“On the first sendoff assembly, the vice-principal played these slam poetry videos and both of them had a lot of swear words in them. It was so funny because he didn’t realize they were there, so he was just kinda freaking out.” -Serena Turney, 9th grade
“My favorite memory is actually just being excited for school in the morning. I get to wake up and not be miserable.” -Eva Spokoiny, 9th grade
“I was working in the kitchen one day. I left some paper towels too close to the stove and it caught on fire.” -Soren Stoverud-Myers, 10th grade
Question 4: How is this school environment different from your old school’s environment?
“It’s way smaller and I don’t have to wake up as early as I did. I don’t like showing up to school at 6:30am.” -Caden Nelson, 9th grade
“We’re expected to be a lot more professional, especially since we’re going on internships in the real world. At my old school, there wasn’t that professionalism.” -Riley Bracelin, 9th grade
Question 5: What would you say to someone who is in traditional school but wants to try an innovative school?
“It’s difficult but really worthwhile if you can put the effort into it. No one’s going to say that it’s easy.” -Mose Ray, 10th grade
“Do it. You can go back if you don’t like it, but I love it. You’ll love it too, hopefully.” -Kelsea Edwards, 9th grade
I enjoyed looking around the school. I’ve included a photo album of things I found interesting while I was at Gibson Ek. If you want more information on this specific school, visit www.gibsonek.org. Their instagram, snapchat, and twitter is @GibsonEkHigh. Any other information on Big Picture schools in general can be found on www.bigpicture.org.
