Welcome to the 2016-17 school year!

The Mercer Island School District is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has built a 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.

The district’s mission is to prepare students to be successful in a world that is constantly evolving, from technical advancements to changes in our community’s demographics.

The 2020 Vision and Mission begin when students enter our elementary schools and continue through middle and high school until they are prepared for college and their careers. We will soon welcome our new kindergartners — the class of 2029!

The district is consistently ranked among the best in the state and maintains a graduation rate of over 95 percent. Our graduates move on to the finest colleges and universities in the world. Our enrollment continues to grow as new families move to Mercer Island. We are eagerly looking forward to the opening of our fourth elementary school, Northwood, when the school year begins Aug. 31.

It was wonderful to see so many community members at the dedication and open house in June. The fall will also see completion of new classrooms, library, commons and gymnasium at Islander Middle School. Both projects were the result of a successful bond proposition supported by the community in 2014.

At the same time, we continue to enhance our curriculum, with the addition of an elementary school Spanish-language program for all K-5 students beginning this year.

For frequently updated information about the district and its programs, visit our website at mercerislandschools.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/mercerislandschooldistrict and follow us on Twitter @mercerislandsd.

Dr. Gary Plano is beginning his 10th year as superintendent of the Mercer Island School District.