RSAR Parent FAQ

"There are so many opportunities for students to find themselves. Even non-speaking roles are thoughtful and affirming. The Ensemble is celebrated!"

"The arts are acknowledged and discussed in a variety of areas at RSAR. For some assignments or projects, students are given the option to show their learning and understanding in a non-traditional format, such as asking for pictures in lieu of papers. Several of the field trips and supplemental activities are also related to the arts and an appreciation of the arts."

"Performing arts is one of the classes and also typically the focus of one of the field trips. Visual arts is also one of the classes and often one of the field trips. Beyond that, the visual arts are sometimes incorporated into projects or activities in other classes while the performance arts skills are incorporated into other classes when students are tasked with presentations."

"Both are supported with afterschool clubs like Thespians and National Junior Honor Art Society. Art journals are kept to process academic classes as well. Overall, students are encouraged to be creative in all areas."

" There are 2 required performances and one optional talent show. They are usually scheduled as, Fall Talent Show, a Winter Showcase and a Spring Performance."

"Performing Arts has rehearsal during class time. Students are expected to memorize lines at home and at school. There is usually one Technical Rehearsal the day before a performance."

"An appropriate and minimal amount. Extra commitment is typically only required the day or a couple days before the performance because most of the preparation work takes place during the scheduled class time."

"There are skills students learn from the arts that will stick with them and prove beneficial in their futures. In performing arts, students learn how to deliver performances with confidence - which will help them in the future when speaking at job interviews or facilitating presentations to colleagues. Through the arts, students are encouraged to work together, think outside the box, and experiment with a variety of techniques. The art activities help students learn and grow as they stretch themselves creatively."

"We love how much the students are encouraged to be creative.”

"Because kid’s brains aren’t meant to be focused on only rote memorization every day. 1+1=2 teaches only one way of learning, but the arts teach them to think on their own. There is something special that happens when a student realizes that they can solve a problem using the creative mind they have been fostering at RSAR or that they are able to make that scary speech in high school because they have been taught how to perform on stage. They don’t need to be super ‘artsy’ or continue with any of these classes beyond middle school to have learned key, formative, life lessons from the arts..”

"My student is more "plugged in" to school in general because of the creative outlets provided. He comes home quoting plays in our everyday conversations! He really takes to heart what he is learning."

"We have seen our student's confidence grow as a result of the school's emphasis on the arts. This is related to the class and school performances, as well as the growth we've seen in her as she allows herself to experiment and explore the various art forms."

" Overall, the small environment makes RSAR a welcoming place for students. Audience etiquette is emphasized and this is where students who have stage fright fit in perfectly. The Ensemble is celebrated so even non-speaking roles are important. Students have many opportunities to find their place in Performing Arts."

" In the art class, students are graded on their effort and growth and not on their strength as an artist. Classmates are encouraging and helpful and students learn that not everyone is strong with all art forms but everyone can at least attempt each art form."

" Students with stage fright will ask for smaller roles or roles with less speaking when it comes to the school-wide performances. With that said, students become good friends with one another, which makes it easier for them to be on stage together. The supportive nature of the students also goes a long way for students who have stage fright or consider themselves to not be artistic."

"My student always felt supported by teachers. In fact, she would go to them with her social and academic problems before she would bring them home."

"Since the RSAR community is smaller, it is more evident when someone's having a hard time or going through something. This provides an opportunity for teachers to step in and discuss social-emotional support without calling students out."

"RSAR is a kind environment that teaches empathy."

"We had great support when dealing with a difficult student-to-student relationship. In-person meetings, shared ideas, and a plan. It was a fantastic learning opportunity for our child. Staff was there the whole way."

"RSAR teachers know students well and build strong relationships with them. Teachers and classmates provided support during difficult situations and thoughtfully followed up afterwards to make sure our student was okay."

"Counselors and specialists are available to RSAR students as they are at other schools. The counselor also supports Eastlake and is not always on site. Students can receive specialist support, although families needing extensive services may wish to learn more about what support options are available."

"Very easy. The three days at camp at the beginning of the school year help strengthen and solidify friendships made at the start of the year."

"My son says RSAR is an easy place to make friends in all grades."

"It's pretty easy for students to make friends. Most students are very welcoming."

"Easy. WAY easier than the typical middle school."

"The social environment is close-knit. However, parents should consider whether their student would thrive with more social opportunities and a larger pool of students."

"There is a fun community at RSAR. Students have many opportunities to bond because of camp."

"It's comparable to an elementary school environment, but with older students. Students spend much of the day together and build strong relationships while learning how to support one another."

"Students can participate in Yearbook, National Junior Honor Society, National Junior Art Honor Society, Green Team, after-school Spanish, and many student-led interest clubs."

"Yes. The clubs are student-led, and they provide another opportunity for students to build friendships across the RSAR community."

"Tons. One of the best parts about RSAR is that the students and parents can have a direct influence on the opportunities at the school. If your student has something they want to share, like their love for anime, they can start a club to bring people together! If you, as a parent, would like to see a club or team at RSAR, you can start one too."

"Our student participated in sports at the club and select level. Our student also attended various sports camps during the year."

" Technically, your student can attend sports for your home middle school but for many that isn’t an option based on distance and the fact that the school day has slightly different timing. We tried our local MS for sports one year. My daughter would leave early from her last class and play for the badminton team. We didn’t continue because the MS teams were overcrowded. We actually found better options outside of school that worked with our schedules and ended up joining our local community sports teams like soccer and lacrosse."

" We would have loved to have some musical practice at school, we benefited a lot from the one-time vocal lessons in 6th grade for the musical. That said, kids how already play instruments can perform in the talent show."

"No. There are a lot of other activities our student can participate in at this age. We decided to wait, spend time in other areas, and then evaluate at a later date whether there is an interest in participating in music."

" Since there is no music class, I know that some students find that local music schools outside of RSAR provide a great outlet after school. Plus, they can perform with their instrument at the talent show and both teachers and friends will often attend events when their band is playing to support them."

" Science Class."

" Friends."

"The teachers. The quirks. (Monster under the schoo)l."

"Our student loves that RSAR is a smaller school than the neighborhood middle school. She likes that she knows all the students. She also likes the consistency of the teachers from year to year and likes that she really gets to know her teachers."

"High School Musical Jr"

" Camp"

"Camps and Dances"

"The Potluck .. YUM!"

"The middle school curriculum is the same at RSAR as other LWSD middle schools, but it is done in a way that allows for multidisciplinary projects."

"The curriculum in the general education classes is consistent across the middle schools. We appreciate that the rigor is appropriate for students of this age and that there are opportunities to personalize learning. For example, in ELA students can select which format they want to use to complete their book report."

"Same curriculum as other middle school environments but with much more personalized support. Partnering with Eastlake for additional math options is great."

"My student is on an IEP. I feel he has support and receives one-on-one help when needed."

"With two of the six periods being arts-based classes, and the other four being general education classes, it feels like a healthy balance between the core curriculum and the arts."

"Fair. My high schooler is not finding it hard to transition into high school rigor."

"Art and academics are well balanced."

"In 7th and 8th grade students can opt to take the advanced math class."

"With the permission of their teacher, 7th and 8th graders are allowed to take advanced math classes. For 7th grade, that is Algebra and for 8th grade it may include attending Geometry at Eastlake High School for high school credit."

"Yes, given middle school is a transitional phase between childhood and adulthood. RSAR was a great option."

"100%. Middle school is a whole bag of mixed emotions. The small space, committed staff, and supportive community make a huge difference."

"I would say yes with a *. There are so many different abilities in the classroom and the LWSD curriculum is bound to be easier for some students than others. My answer to this is two-fold. First, because of the school size, the teachers are able to add more hands-on projects, assignments that were based on eah student's individual ability and delve deeper into some subjects than with standard curriculum. The second is that where some classes weren’t as challenging, my student did find a balance where they were learning something new every day."

"Yes. Our student appreciates the variety of academic learning and creative expression they get from their schedule. This variety prevents burnout and helps students see that everyone has strengths and opportunities, and that those strengths and opportunities are different from student to student."

"If a Quest-identified student is wanting to participate in the arts in addition to attending their general education classes, then yes, it will be a great fit. There are several students at RSAR who are academically strong."

"There are many project- based assignments where students can excel and challenge themselves."

"If a topic is less challenging, she will work through more rigorous or challenging problems, or use her free time to help classmates - which helps her solidify her learning to the point that she can talk about it with her peers."

"There isn't much time needed. RSAR follows the Eastlake bell schedule, so students have roughly seven minutes between classes."

"Plenty of time given the short distances students need to travel."

"Students rotate classes, though sometimes multiple classes may be held in the same room. The breaks feel generous given the short travel distances, but they provide a valuable brain break between subjects."

"Little to none if your student is focused and using their time wisely. Interestingly, those same habits have translated to high school and my student still has very little homework outside of studying."

"My student is on an IEP and does not typically have homework."

"Students are often given opportunities to complete assignments in class, but occasionally projects or larger assignments need to be worked on at home."

"Typically 30 minutes to an hour per night."

"We love that the teachers really get to know the students, and the students really get to know their teachers. Our student knows what each teacher expects and feels comfortable communicating with them."

"The teachers truly know the strengths and challenges of their students."

"I have not seen students struggle with the daily schedule. Teachers post schedules clearly in classrooms and help students know what to expect throughout the day."

"Lunch is held in the Eastlake High School cafeteria, where RSAR students eat together during their own lunch period. Sixth graders often receive snack breaks depending on the class."

"Students are escorted to and from lunch by staff. Transitions are predictable, and when schedules change, communication is clear so students know what to expect."

"8th grade RSAR students who take advanced math might be in a 9th grade math class at Eastlake. Otherwise RSAR students might ride the bus with high school students or see them around campus, but will have little to no interaction with them."

"We share a campus with EHS and so we utilize the same cafeteria (though RSAR has their own lunch period), counselor, nurse, theatre and the like, but actual interaction with high schoolers usually happens only if your student attends 8th grade geometry in an EHS class and/or rides the Eastlake bus. They hardly ever interact in those situations. Occasionally there may be some high school drama students from the Eastlake Productions helping the Performing Arts teacher in class as mentors."

"Even as a new family, we did not encounter significant logistical challenges. Our student rides the bus, we drive, and occasionally carpool with other families."

"Carpooling is one of the best ways to get to know other families from your neighborhood."

"Afterschool pickup can be challenging because RSAR dismisses at the same time as Eastlake High School."

"Parents are expected to volunteer 25 hours per family or pay a fee to buy out their volunteer requirement."

"Parents can chaperone camp, clubs, field trips, dances, and attend PTSA meetings. Parents may also donate food items for volunteer credit."

"There are a lot of options available. Some parents satisfy most of their hours by attending camp, while others help with field trips, events, or clubs."

"There are opportunities for all needs. From camp chaperones to laptop distribution, art programs, field trips, dances, clubs, potlucks, productions, teacher appreciation, PTSA meetings, or providing food, there are many ways to participate."

"Your connection to teachers at RSAR is unlike any other environment. They know your student. They know your family. They are incredibly invested in student growth and success."

"There is a weekly newsletter that provides schoolwide and grade-specific information. Teachers are also very responsive through ParentSquare and email."

"Art Show and Potluck."

"Leading the Yearbook Club for three years."

"C.A.M.P."

"I loved being a camp chaperone."

"I loved seeing the spring performances. The sense of community was obvious. Watching students perform together after years of friendship and shared experiences was really special."

"Our family lives in Sammamish, so our student rides the Eastlake bus."

"Elementary school based carpool group. Awesome."

"She walked!"

My favorite thing about it RSAR is the alumni community and the bond my student still has with her teachers. She considers them confidants and often returns to either help out or ask for advice."

"Being so close to the staff and teachers, being able to know parents and students up close when volunteering."

"I love the community aspect at RSAR. I love that my student has a strong community of friends and classmates who support and encourage her on a regular basis. I love that the teachers truly know my student and know her strengths and areas of opportunity. I love the balance of academic rigor and creative exploration of the arts."

"My student had a good transition to high school."

"My student chose to attend a private high school after RSAR and said the transition wasn't too difficult. The biggest adjustment was managing her own schedule, but she already knew what it was like to start at a new school, make friends, and manage her workload."

"For Eastlake students, there was so much overlap that starting high school felt like a natural next step. It was a real advantage."

"In some ways, middle school teachers care more about the whole student. High school teachers can be more matter-of-fact, and adjusting to that difference was one of the biggest changes."

"The biggest challenges were navigating a larger school and adjusting to larger class sizes."

"My student determined she did not love visual art or performing arts, which helped her focus more quickly on what she wanted to pursue in high school. Her love of science was also strongly supported."

"A strong start in theater and familiarity with advanced math opportunities."

"She learned to trust teachers and ask for support when needed. That is a skill that continues to serve her well."

"I would suggest talking with current parents and alumni families who have already been through the transition."

"Believe in them and give them the confidence to navigate through it."

"Everyone feels out of place for a few days in ninth grade. Then it clicks. Give it a little time."

"Apply for the Eastlake variance. RSAR Students, regardless of their home school, get to apply for a variance to go to EHS. They can stay with their friends and close to their RSAR teachers."

"Since Ms. Rothwell used to work at the high school she was a good resource for our family. The admin and counselors did an ok job of preparing expectations."

"Only because we got to EHS, she was able to reconnect with RSAR students and teachers by visiting them."

"The RSAR staff still show up for my kid… Still cheers her on at HS softball games. This crew is built different and we are grateful for it."