Mission

Bethel Jr. High works together with students, parents and the community to provide a quality education for our diverse student body. We focus on helping the young people of our community gain a foundation of skills while developing personal qualities.

We are committed to:

• Providing a safe and comfortable learning environment
• Encouraging cooperative relationships within the class, the school and the community
• Developing skills and attitudes to enable our students to be successful and adjust in a changing world

Raising expectations and standards

BJH staff members have high expectations for all students. Teachers work closely to coordinate curriculum and assessments throughout subject areas.

BJH maintains a focus on reading, writing and math in all curriculum areas. Our staff works closely together to bring consistency to student learning.

Parent and community involvement in learning

The Bethel Jr. High PTSA has steadily increased the number of parents and community members in our building. The PTSA arranges for volunteers to work throughout the building in the classroom, office, at extra-curricular events, and as hallway monitors. BJH loves its volunteers!

What Makes Us Special

• Bulldog Express served more than 1,500 meals in 2006-2007 at numerous functions
• More than 300 students participate in band, choir, theatre and art at BJH
• BJH has 29 athletic teams with more than 500 students playing organized sports
• Very active PTSA
• Award-winning Veterans Day program
• Community Ventures and Leadership classes reach out to the community with numerous activities
• Reading and mathematics use student based learning
• Advisory program and student-led conferences focus students on their own learning

Community connections

The community is always welcome at Bethel Jr. High. Girl Scout Troops, Bethel Recreation, dance schools, and other community groups use the building throughout the year.

Top-notch staff

Bethel Jr. High has 50 classroom teachers. They average 13 years of teaching experience and 72 percent have a master's degree. They are joined by a wonderful support staff who have students' best interest in mind in all that they do.

WASL success

Our seventh-grade reading scores increased 10 percentage points, and math increased 11 percentage points. As well, our 8th-grade science scores lead our district. We're proud of this success! We will continue to do all we can to help students achieve their best.

Adequate Yearly Progress

Bethel Jr. High did not meet adequate yearly progress " AYP " as defined under the "No Child Left Behind" Act. Of the 36 areas measured, the school met all but seven of the required benchmarks. We did not meet standard in several math categories and missed two targets in reading.

Each year individual schools and the school district must "raise the bar" in gradual increments so that by 2014, 100 percent of students achieve proficiency in each subject area.

Bethel School District

Bethel School District serves about 17,500 students in 17 elementary schools, five junior highs (with another opening its doors in 2010), three comprehensive high schools, one alternative junior high/high school, and an online academy. The district has won national awards in technology and communications, as well as state awards in professional development, energy conservation, and the arts. In addition, five district teachers have earned "Washington State teacher of the Year" in the last 25 years - more than any district in the state.

The Bethel School District covers 202-square miles in south Pierce County. The area is one of the fastest growing in the Puget Sound region. In 2006, district voters passed both a four-year levy for operations and a $175 million bond to build new schools. As part of the first phase of the bond, two elementary schools and one junior high (temporarily housing Spanaway Lake High School) were opened in September 2009.

In 2007-2008, the district's budget was $158 million, about 80 percent of which went to salaries and benefits. About 1,050 certificated staff and about 1,000 classified (support) staff work for the district. Tom Seigel joined the district in 2001 as superintendent. He previously worked in Boulder, CO as a superintendent. Prior to his work in public education, Seigel served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years, completing his military career as a Commander.