The Mercer Island School District (MISD) 2015-16 Annual Report, titled “Soaring to 2020,” is now available online at www.mercerislandschools.org.

The print version of the report will arrive at Mercer Island residences around Dec. 15.

“On behalf of the Mercer Island School District’s Board of Directors, our teachers, staff and students, I am pleased to present the 2015-16 Annual Report to the Mercer Island community,” said Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. “The district is celebrating its 75th anniversary and its reputation for excellence, combining academics, cultural expression and athletic achievement. We are educating more than 4,300 students with new-century skills in critical thinking, collaboration, invention and creativity.”

Plano noted the district’s enrollment has increased as new families continued to move to Mercer Island for its high-quality public education. The fourth elementary school, Northwood was dedicated and opened for the 2016-17 school year. This fall also saw completion of new classrooms, commons and gymnasiums at Islander Middle School. Both projects were the result of a successful bond proposition supported by the community in 2014.

“We are also grateful for the community’s support for renewal of the Capital Projects and Technology Levy and the one-year Transportation Levy,” Plano said.

During the 2015-16 school year the MISD Board of Directors evaluated the 2020 Vision and all seven fundamentals (goals) that they put into policy, including the new Fundamental 7 that notes the importance of diversity and equity.

The report presents many stories of student learning, including:

• The hands-on and collaborative work in material science at Mercer Island High School, bringing together elements of physics, design and biology;

• How Mercer Island’s 1:1 iPad program has become a model for other school districts;

• How Islander Middle School students held a Day of Service to help the community;

• And how participants in Unified Soccer are embracing inclusion through sports.

For more information, contact Craig Degginger at 206-236-4514.