Carl Sandburg Elementary School, 12801 84th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034, US

The goal of Finn Hill's grade 7-9 curriculum is to provide a safe and comfortable "experiential" learning environment to help students become lifelong learners, ethical and productive members of the community and stewards of the earth. The school is undergoing an extensive modernization project scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011, with six new energy-efficient buildings or "pods" clustered around a central courtyard and commons area. The natural landscape of the 29-acre grounds is being used to create meadows, wetlands and forest surrounding the new buildings. Students are remaining on-site using existing classrooms during construction. Financed by a 2006 bond measure, the modernization includes a new media center and music facility. All structures are designed to make use of natural day-lighting. State testing on math, reading, writing and science during the 2008-09 school year showed students scoring above state averages in virtually every category, and near school district averages in most. Principal Victor Scarpelli notes that test scores have improved for 11 straight years, and are remarkable for a traditional junior high lacking accelerated learning programs. Finn Hill also is home to the school district's nature-based Environmental and Adventure School, which will find new class space as part of the modernization.

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