We spoke with Karen Hatch, the current Marketing & Communications Director at  Eastside Catholic School, about what makes EC special. 

Location: Sammamish, Washington

Website: https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/

Grades Served: 6 through 12

Student Body: Approximately 850 students total with ~70 per grade in the middle school and ~170 per grade in the high school.

What makes your school unique?

Eastside Catholic is known for our strong community—many students view EC as their home away from home. Our school offers grade-level retreats and a school-wide Mentor Program, award winning performing arts and athletic programs, and more than 30 AP, honors and collegiate level courses in the high school. With administrative approval, middle school students can take advanced courses in the high school. We care about the whole student—social and emotional, not just academics—while encouraging and supporting each student academically.

What makes your students unique?

Almost all of our students develop a great balance between our three Touchstones: Academic Excellence, Relationships, and Servant Leadership. Our students are appreciative and thank teachers at the end of class. Students learn to be strong collaborators and do so in and out of the classroom. Our students are also active volunteers in our neighboring communities.

What makes your faculty and staff unique?

Our faculty continuously work above and beyond the regular school day, including optional evening events, lunch meetings, acting as club advisers, meeting with students before and after school, and more. They are dedicated to EC and our mission and strive to encourage academic excellence, nurture relationships, and inspire a life of leadership and service to others. Currently, nine teachers are Nationally Board Certified, and 68% of EC’s faculty members hold advanced degrees.

What should students keep in mind when applying to your school?

During the application process, we work hard to develop an accurate picture of each potential student through academic evaluation, interviews, and written applications to assess what is best for them as a student and as a person and to ensure that they will succeed at Eastside Catholic. We encourage all students to visit EC and experience what it’s like to be a Crusader for a Day!

Which program or recent change are you most excited about at your school?

We are especially proud of the expansion of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) resources for middle school and high school, a new school-wide Mentor Program curriculum for all grades, and the Amplify Middle School Science curriculum. We are also excited about the addition of new programs to support school community cohesiveness through all-school activities like our parent-student sponsored “Spring Fling,” Field Day, and EC Way Awards.

Describe an impactful program that your school runs.

Eastside Catholic is home to the Options Program which provides individualized academic and life skills development for high school students with diagnosed intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Describe what a class at your school looks like.

Students are greeted at the door and class begins with prayer. Each minute provides students the opportunity to learn and grow as young adults. Teaching styles and methods are varied throughout each lesson to accommodate multiple learning styles and maximize each student’s academic success and help them fulfill their true potential.