About Mercer Island
Mercer Island is an island community located at the southern end of Lake Washington and is connected by Interstate 90 to Seattle on the west and Bellevue on the east. Mercer Island is six square miles and is primarily a residential community of approximately 25,000 people, many of whom are employed in professional and managerial positions in the surrounding areas. The District is one of 35 school districts in King and Pierce counties affiliated with the Puget Sound Educational School District, a regional support educational agency.
The Island and neighboring communities provide a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities for residents of all ages. From theater groups to indoor and outdoor art galleries to waterfront parks, there is something for everyone. More than 475 acres of parks and open space provide ample opportunities for sports, hiking, nature walks, picnics, and playgrounds for children. The Cascade Mountains offer some of the finest snow skiing in the region, and Lake Washington and the Puget Sound are ideal for boating and water sports.
About Our Schools
The Mercer Island School District, with a K-12 student population of approximately 4,000, enjoys a widespread reputation for quality and excellence, combining academics, cultural expression, and athletic achievement. This tradition of excellence is a major reason many families make Mercer Island their home. Achievement test scores at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are consistently the highest in the state. The district maintains a graduation rate of over 95 percent. With its proximity to Seattle and Bellevue, the Island has easy access to several public and private colleges and universities, including the University of Washington, Seattle University, Bellevue College, and Lake Washington Technical College.
- The district employs a teaching and support staff of 500+ and has an annual operating budget of approximately $72.7 million.
- The Mercer Island Schools Foundation, in partnership with the schools’ PTAs, contributes over $2 million dollars to maintain teaching positions and instructional support.
- Quality educators and support personnel are complemented by quality school facilities.
- The district has one 9-12 high school and an alternative high school program, one 6-8 middle school, and four K-5 elementary schools.
- Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) mental health counselors are available at each of the schools to support students and families.
The district benefits from the substantial contributions of parents and the community. The Mercer Island Schools Foundation, established in 1981, has raised over $27 million for district programs. The PTA’s at each of the six schools have high membership rates and contribute generously to the support of school programs through fundraising and extraordinary volunteer participation. The community demonstrates continued strong support for its schools— Mercer Island School District has always passed its operating levies.
