Blog
Solving the puzzle in IB Theatre – by leaping in the dark.
By Gretchen Nordleaf. During my time at West Sound Academy, I have experienced one of the most exciting and challenging moments in my teaching career. Learning to teach and breathe the IB curriculum has been difficult and energizing all at the same time. As a...
That Feeling as a Leader When You Have to Disappoint People
By Barrie Hillman. As a leader and Head of School, I try to say "yes" as much as possible. Even if it is really a no, I work hard to find a mutually beneficial solution that feels like and really is a sort-of yes. However, lately, I have been a disappointing leader. I...
Announcing! College destinations for the Class of 2020
By Susan Trower. West Sound Academy seniors came back to campus on May 12 - not all at once, of course, but on a staggered schedule so they could maintain social distancing requirements. Barrie Hillman, WSA Head of School, met each soon-to-be-graduate at the door of...
WSA Thespian gives performance – and gets sage advice from Jeff Daniels.
By Susan Trower. Last night Esther Gleeman, a West Sound Academy sophomore and member of Thespian Troupe #8175, was not performing on a stage. Instead, she was at home, in front of a camera, waiting for her turn to give a monologue from She Kills Monsters Young...
Seniors reflect on their experiences at WSA – en español.
By Jessica Outlaw. Last week WSA seniors in IB Spanish showcased their language skills and reflected on their time as students at this school. Their presentations were heartwarming, funny, and very memorable. They shared pictures, videos, and stories about their...
Keeping Traditions Alive For the Class of 2020
By Barrie Hillman. There is no doubt that 2020 has opened the new decade with all the grace and decorum of a wrecking ball. The disruption caused by the coronavirus quarantine will have deep and long-lasting impacts to everyone but I want to reserve this tiny space...
West Sound Academy students rise to the challenge of the online classroom.
By Susan Trower. It’s 12:30 on a Tuesday afternoon, 6th period, and time for West Sound Academy 9th Grade English class to meet. The teacher, Gretchen Nordleaf-Nelson, sits at her laptop and admits her students one at a time into her Zoom meeting room, greeting each...
Why IB at WSA?
By Alayna Garvin. At WSA, we strive to prepare learners for the world beyond our classrooms. At all grade levels, we encourage students to improve their thinking, research, social, and communication skills. We want them to get to know their strengths, challenge...
Teachers work to answer the question: What does Commitment to Care mean at WSA?
By Barrie Hillman. At the end of February, WSA staff and teachers engaged in a three-day in-service discussing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). One of the standards of excellence in education that the school upholds is its Commitment to Care as set by the...
Using Project-Based Learning to Build a Culture of Trust in the Classroom
By Georgia Chehade. Middle school is an interesting time. Not only are students expected to adapt to a new school, expectations, and social scene, they are experiencing profound changes within themselves. Many adults who learn that I am a Middle School teacher admit...
It’s Kindness Week at WSA! Join in and plan your own act of kindness.
By Barrie Hillman. NPR reported on February 8th that 2020 has started off as the third wettest year on record! As good Pacific Northwesterners, we should be used to the winter liquid sunshine. More importantly, we should be practiced in counteracting the very real...
West Sound Theatre Company Presents “The Importance of Being Earnest” in February
By Gretchen Nordleaf. The West Sound Theatre Company (West Sound Academy) will present Oscar Wilde’s endlessly entertaining comedy The Importance of Being Earnestjust in time for Valentine’s Day! Gretchen Nordleaf will direct West Sound Academy’s handsome production...
6th and 7th Grade students plan and create projects for their final exam.
By Georgia Chehade. This year in 6th and 7th Humanities students have dedicated time to exploring their own creative spark. Their final, instead of focusing on specific content from the course, was focused on their ability to plan and orchestrate their own project in...
WSA Robotics team finishes the season at Tesla Interleague Championship playoffs.
By Lionel Pummell. WSA’s Robotics team competed in the Tesla Interleague championship event of the FIRST Tech Challenge on January 11 at Baker Middle School in Tacoma. Thirty-four schools from the Puget Sound area competed in the event. After a long day of intense...
Open yourself up to be ready to learn…
By Lisa Gsellman On Thursday, December 19th, West Sound Academy Alumni from the Classes of 2018 and 2019 joined our current juniors and seniors for an informal talk on what to expect with their future college life. It is such a joy having them return to us on their...
Lean Into the Light
By Barrie Hillman. Last week, I had the great privilege of attending the annual TEDWomen conference in Palm Springs. My first intention in going was to help support WSA’s work to host our own TEDx conference this spring, but as soon as I stepped foot into the theater,...
West Sound Academy Robotics places second in the FTC regional qualifier
By Lionel Pummell. The WSA group arrived at King's Schools Campus in Shoreline at 9:30 a.m. for the First Tech Challenge regional competition on December 8 - the second regional qualifier of the season. West Sound Academy is only one of two Kitsap Peninsula teams that...
WSA Robotics takes their tech on the road to Silverwood School
By Susan Trower. WSA's Robotics team packed up their robots and took them for a visit to Silverwood School in Poulsbo on December 4. Co-captains Aidan Phelan and Emma Longworth and team members Luke Rielly, Will Stone, Alex Prasch, Nick Bradford and Caleb Phelan came...
What is Knowledge Bowl, and is it fun?
By Susan Trower. West Sound Academy has a Knowledge Bowl team that holds practices twice a week. The goal of these practices is to help the team get ready for the three regional competitions organized each year by the Olympic ESD. What is Knowledge Bowl? What...
Financial Aid is giving way to Sliding Scale
By Barrie Hillman. In every professional development opportunity I have participated in over the last two years, the prevailing message has been about innovation and implementing progressive ideas in the education world. Change is always intimidating, especially in...