admissionsguide &curriculum overview

Residential Life HouseUpper Parking Lot

Building 100 – Community RelationsHead’s Office (Administration)Alumnae RelationsCommunicationsDevelopmentMS Faculty OfficesMiddle School Classrooms

Building 200 – Pigott LibraryMiddle School Classrooms7th Grade LockersTechnology (Matrix)

Building 300 – Middle SchoolAdministrationMS ClassroomsWald Sciences

Building 400 – McMenamy HallMiddle & High School ClassroomsBuilding 500 – Schafer GymnasiumCommons8th Grade LoungeFacilities OfficeFitness Center

Building 600 – Lee TheatreFine Arts CenterGalleryLee Theatre

Building 700 – Sacred Heart CenterAdmission OfficesBusiness OfficesMain Entrance (Visitor Check-In)Sacred Heart Chapel

Building 800 – High SchoolAdministrationHS ClassroomsFaculty OfficesOutdoor Learning Center

The Forest Ridge Campus is located only 12 miles from Seattle in

beautiful Bellevue, Washington.

Campus Map

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

Mission:Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart educates young women to think critical-ly, embrace challenges, model resilience, confront injustice, seek equality and lead globally in the pioneering spirit of our foundress. Our graduates change the world.

Core Values:Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart provides a diverse and rigorous col-lege-preparatory environment that in-spires young women to become confident compassionate leaders. As a member of a global network of more than 150 schools, we educate to the core of our 200 year tradition through the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria:

• a personal and active faith in God• a deep respect for intellectual values• a social awareness which impels to

action• the building of community as a

Christian value• a personal growth in an atmosphere

of wise freedom.

Diversity Statement:Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart welcomes students, families, faculty and staff into a learning environment that re-spects and strives for diversity, openness, understanding and acceptance of all hu-man beings. As a member of the Interna-tional Network of Sacred Heart Schools, Forest Ridge envisions itself as a global leader in promoting, welcoming and ben-efitting from diversity and building on the strength that comes from diversity. We prepare all our students for higher edu-cation. Equally important is our vision of preparing students to be leaders and con-tributors to our global society.

In keeping with St. Madeleine Sophie Barat’s vision for excellence in educating girls since 1800, Forest Ridge offers a program grounded in our rich Catholic tradition. We provide our young women the courageous leadership skills necessary to act with compassion and conviction in embracing the challenges of a diverse global society. Our graduates respond generously to the needs of their local and global communities and embrace their responsibilities to serve morally and ethically.

The Admissions Process

How to Apply:Forest Ridge uses a web-based application through Ravenna Solutions for the sub-mission of online applications and supple-mental forms such as teacher evaluations, student essays and parent/guardian state-ments.

Apply online at: forestridge.org/page/Admissions/Apply.

Submit a core application and application fee.

Admissions Testing:Domestic student applicants must com-plete either the ISEE or SSAT to be consid-ered for admission. International student applicants must complete the SSAT, TOE-FL (High School) or TOEFLJunior (Mid-dle School). Visit forestridge.org/page/admissions/apply to sign up for a test.

Financial Aid & Scholarships:We strive to make Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart affordable to a di-verse population, including economic diversity. We offer financial aid as well as need-based and merit scholarships. To be

considered for a financial aid award or a need-based scholarship, families must

• Complete the online Parents Financial Statement on FAST (Financial Aid for Student Tuition).

• Submit a copy of your current income tax return (1040) to FAST.

All Forest Ridge applicants will be considered for merit scholarships during the admission review process.

Contact Us:We would love to meet you. Please contact us for a personal tour.425.641.0700www.forestridge.org

Middle School Admissions: Tara Waller, twaller@forestridge.org

High School Admissions: Shana Abner, sabner@forestridge.org

International Program: Rosanne Tomich, rtomich@forestridge.org

We welcome your application to Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart for the 2015-2016 school year. Forest Ridge is one of the Seattle/Eastside area schools us-ing the web-based application called Ravenna for the submission of online appli-cations. A link to Ravenna and our online application process is available on our website, www.forestridge.org.

Our admissions process helps us get to know each girl’s cognitive, social and emo-tional readiness. This includes the core application form, a student visit day, stan-dardized testing, parent/guardian and student personal statements, two teacher evaluations and a family interview.

Mark PierottiHead of School

Dr. Carola Wittman, Ph.D.Director of High School

Julie Thenell GrasseschiDirector of Middle School

Shana Abner, ’94Director of High School Admission

Tara WallerDirector of Middle School Admission

Jasmine Park ’03Associate Director of

High School Admissions

Nancy HartyAssociate Director of

Middle School Admissions

Rosanne TomichInternational and Residential

Admission Director

School Leaders

Admissions Team

Middle SchoolPhilosophyFor a Forest Ridge woman, it begins with the Four Cs: collaboration, communi-cation, creativity, critical thinking. Our Middle School program encourages stu-dents to be life-long learners and prob-lem-solvers. Through direct instruction and application of those C skills in varied settings, students develop essential 21st century skills.

Curriculum OverviewRooted in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education, and informed by re-search of the Association for Middle Level Education, the Middle School program seeks to develop the whole child. Global perspective, commitment to community and service, leadership, personal growth, integrity, and a sense of faith are desired results of the program.

The Middle School program provides opportunities for students to grow in an atmosphere of wise freedom. The aca-demically challenging program prepares students for full participation in the High School program. Interaction with peers and formation of a group identity as chil-dren of the Sacred Heart enhance a child’s self-concept and instill a sense of commu-nity and a feeling of belonging.

Faith & Service Goal I of Sacred Heart education calls each girl to a personal and active faith in God. Forest Ridge educates girls through a Catholic lens while encouraging students of all faiths to grow in their relationships with God. In addition to religion classes, girls participate in regular prayer services and liturgical celebrations. Middle school girls are challenged to form personal val-ues and standards of behavior consistent

with Gospel values. These values are ex-pressed through intentional and regular community service relationships across the Puget Sound area. In each grade, girls participate in ongoing community service with developmentally-appropriate experi-ences.

LeadershipOur philosophy of leadership is one of servant leadership: leaders are people who make a difference in their community by sharing their unique gifts and by working with others to solve problems. Students at Forest Ridge practice leadership through structured class situations and through experiential leadership opportunities. In 5th and 6th grades, students receive direct instruction in leadership skills and have many opportunities to apply these skills and practice foundational habits of a lead-er. Students in 7th and 8th grade build on those lessons through their advisory pro-gram and team challenges.

Extra-Curricular OpportunitiesMiddle school students have many oppor-tunities to explore interests and discover new ones. A variety of organized activi-ties are available outside of the school day. These include after-school experiences in the fine and performing arts and team and individual athletics. Girls can also partici-pate in weekend outdoor education activ-ities. In the summer, we offer two experi-ential learning trips. A group of girls and teachers travele.

Extended DaySupervised care is available for students in grades 5-8 outside of school hours. Be-fore-school care begins at 7:00 a.m. in the Commons; breakfast is also available at that time. After-school care is in the Li-brary until 5:30 p.m.

5th GradeCLASSES:• Religion • Integrated humanities

(Literature, Language Arts, Social Studies)

• Writing Lab • Science • Math • Physical Education • Music• Visual Arts• Communication Lab:

Students apply leadership, technology, communication and presentation skills

• Creativity Lab: Students explore STEAM concepts

• Advisory• Clubs

6th GradeCLASSES:• Religion• Integrated humanities

(Literature, Language Arts, Social Studies)

• Writing Lab• Science• Math (Integrated Math or

Pre-Algebra) • Latin• Physical Education• Music • Fine Arts options: Studio

Art, Drama, Video Production or Computer Programming Basics

• Computer Science• Advisory• Clubs

7th GradeCLASSES:• Religion• English• Social Studies• Writing Lab• Science• Math (Pre-Algebra or

Honors Algebra I)• International Language

(French, Spanish, Japanese or Mandarin)

• Physical Education• Fine Arts options*: Music,

Studio Art, Graphic Design, Ceramics, Drama

• Advisory• Clubs

8th GradeCLASSES: • Religion• English• Writing• Science• Math (Algebra I or Honors

Geometry)• International Language:

French, Spanish, Japanese or Mandarinn, continued from 7th grade

• Physical Education• Fine Arts options*: Public

Speaking, Studio Art, Video Production, Literary Magazine, Computer Programming

• Advisory• Clubs

ADVISORY: During advisory sessions, girls meet with their advisors and classmates others to build relationships, deepen their understanding of themselves as learners, develop study and organizational skills and practice goal-setting and reflection. They have opportunities to celebrate together and to collaborate

with one another as they learn more about the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education. Advisory periods also provide time for girls to check in with their advisors and to address challenges that arise through the year.Middle School Clubs Include:

CLUBS:• Robotics• Tinkering Club• Improv Club• Knitting Club• Student Leadership

Council*

*A voluntary club open to 7th and 8th graders. Girls run “Middle School Home Room” and other Middle School activities.

AFTER-SCHOOL OFFERINGS:• Visual Art• Choir• Drama productions• Conditioning classes,

dance, yoga• Team sports: soccer,

basketball, volleyball, track, golf

COURSES

High SchoolPhilosophyThe high school academic program re-flects the School’s commitment to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart educa-tion, particularly Goal II: “Schools of the Sacred educate to a deep respect for intel-lectual values.” Faculty engage in on-go-ing professional development in order to create rigorous courses that incorporate all forms of critical thinking, while recog-

nizing a variety of learning styles. Our goal is that our students

graduate confident of their competence to pursue

whatever disciplines interest them in col-lege and that they de-velop a lifelong love of learning.

All students complete a service requirement and

write an extended research paper completed in their senior

year, which is determined by a student’s English class. Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart graduation requirements exceed the Washington state graduation requirements.

Global Seminar:The global seminar classes foster stu-dent-centered learning and student lead-ership. In these classes, the teachers and students engage in intense dialogue. Both teachers and students present and discuss course content with particular emphasis on critical thinking, active listening, and student leadership. Encouraged to think independently, students ask such ques-tions as “ Students also reflect on course content in light of their personal beliefs and attitudes.

The Global Seminar requires multiple se-rious, critical essays and a major reflective paper as well as 30 hours of self-initiated service or community work. Seminar stu-dents compose a lengthy seminar paper under the tutelage of an advisor during their senior year; this paper is their key-stone project.

International Baccalaureate: Students have the option of participating in the International Baccalaureate [IB] Diploma Programme during their junior and senior years. This program, now of-fered in 4,000 schools worldwide, enables students to study six disciplines in-depth while also recognizing the concurrency of learning across disciplines and foster-ing international mindedness. Students electing to earn an IB Diploma must take classes from each of the six areas of the IB hexagon with 3 being Higher Level (HL) courses and 3 being Standard Level (SL) courses.

*Students who do not intend to earn an IB Diploma are welcome to enroll in individual IB classes wherein they may qualify to earn discipline-specific Certifi-cates.

College Counseling:Our office is staffed with two full-time, experienced college counselors who un-derstand that at the heart of the college search and application process is a young woman with hopes and dreams about her college years. Given the size of our gradu-ating class, we meet with each individual student regularly to provide attentive and personalized counseling during each step of the process.

9th Grade:COURSES: • English • Western Civilization • Religious Studies • International Language

(French, Spanish, Japanese, or Mandarin)

• Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra II, or Honors Algebra II)

• Physics/Honors option 2nd semester)

• Physical Education • Health

10th GradeCOURSES:• American Studies English • American Studies History • Religious Studies with

Community Service• International Language

(French, Spanish, Japanese, or Mandarin)

• Math (Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra II, Honors Algebra II, or Honors Pre-Calculus)

• Chemistry/Honors option • Physical Education • Elective

11th GradeCOURSES:• Begin Global Seminar

or IB studies humanities courses (English and History)

• Religious Studies • International Language OR

two semester-long electives if language requirement satisfied (French, Spanish, Japanese, or Mandarin)

• Math (Algebra II, Honors Algebra II, IB Math Studies, Honors Pre-Calculus/IB Math SL1, Calculus/IB Math SL 2)

• IB Biology or Life Science course

• Two semester-long electives, may include Physical Education

• IB options elective and core classes available in most subject areas

12th GradeCOURSES• Continue Global

Seminar or IB studies humanities courses (English and History)

• Religious Studies (Global Seminar or IB pathway)

• Continued study of International Language OR two semester-long electives

• Math (Advanced Integrated Math/IB Math Studies, Honors Pre-Calculus, Calculus/ IB Math SL 2, or IB Math HL)

• Complete IB Biology or elective science offerings available

• Two semester-long electives or completions of IB electives

CLUBS• Chance to Dance• Knowledge Bowl• Chinese Celebration

Club• Math Club• FR Gives Back • Ski Club• Green Club• SOS (Challenge Success)• International Student

Union• Student Admissions

Team• JSA (Junior States of America)

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Available in Music, Athletics, Arts, Sacred Heart Network Opportunities, Global Program, and Outdoor Education

*During junior and senior year, the P.E. requirement may be met by playing a sport.

Minimum Graduation Requirements:

4 years English4 years Social Studies3.5 - 4 years Religious Studies 3 years Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Life Science)4 years Math3rd year Proficiency in International Language (French, Spanish, Japanese, or Mandarin)4 semesters Physical Education/Health1 year Fine Arts (Theatre, Music, Visual Arts)Global Seminar or International Baccalaureate

* senior research paperand community service required

2015-2016

Agnes Scott CollegeAmerican UniversityThe University of Arizona (Honors College)Bard CollegeBarnard CollegeBates CollegeBaylor UniversityBeloit CollegeBinghamton UniversityBoston CollegeBoston UniversityBowdoin CollegeUniversity of British ColumbiaBryn Mawr CollegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoUniversity of California, DavisUniversity of California, IrvineUniversity of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, RiversideUniversity of California, San DiegoUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, Santa CruzCarleton CollegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityChapman UniversityClark UniversityColgate UniversityUniversity of Colorado at BoulderConnecticut CollegeDenison University

University of DenverDePaul UniversityDickinson CollegeDrexel UniversityEmmanuel CollegeEmory UniversityFairfield UniversityFordham UniversityFranklin and Marshall CollegeThe George Washington UniversityGeorgetown UniversityGonzaga UniversityGrinnell CollegeHampshire CollegeHampton UniversityHawaii Pacific UniversityCollege of the Holy Cross

University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignIndiana University at BloomingtonIthaca CollegeLafayette CollegeLake Forest CollegeLawrence UniversityLewis & Clark CollegeLoyola Marymount UniversityLoyola University ChicagoLoyola University MarylandLoyola University New OrleansMacalester CollegeUniversity of Maryland, College Park

College Acceptances

University of MichiganMount Holyoke CollegeNew York UniversityNortheastern UniversityNorthwestern UniversityOberlin CollegeOccidental CollegeUniversity of OregonPacific Lutheran UniversityPacific UniversityUniversity of the PacificPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaPitzer CollegePomona CollegeUniversity of PortlandUniversity of Puget SoundPurdue UniversityReed CollegeRegis UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice UniversityUniversity of RochesterSaint Joseph’s UniversitySaint Martin’s UniversityUniversity of San DiegoUniversity of San FranciscoSanta Clara UniversityScripps CollegeSeattle Pacific UniversitySeattle UniversitySeton Hall UniversitySimmons CollegeSkidmore CollegeSmith CollegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaSt. Lawrence UniversitySt. Olaf CollegeStockton UniversitySyracuse UniversityTemple UniversityTexas Christian UniversityUniversity of Toronto

Tufts UniversityVirginia TechUniversity of VirginiaWake Forest UniversityWashington State UniversityUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington, BothellWellesley CollegeWesleyan UniversityWestern Washington UniversityWhitman CollegeWhittier CollegeWhitworth UniversityWillamette UniversityCollege of William and MaryYork College of Pennsylvania

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4800 139th Avenue SE Bellevue, WA 98006-3015

Forest Ridge admits students without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally

accorded or made available to the students of the School.