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Join Waitlist for Fall 2025

Applications closed March 14 for admission to the 2025-26 school year, but eighth-graders who missed the deadline may join the waitlist. Gibson Ek is an innovative choice public high school open to students living in the Issaquah School District interested in a student-driven, project-based educational model.

Learn how to join the waitlist on our Enrollment page.

Student shows project with dungeons and dragons figures on table
Design Thinking

Our complex and dynamic world needs people who can take initiative, think critically, persevere through failures, and collaborate in diverse communities. For this reason, we use Stanford University’s “design thinking” model as a framework for student projects.

Gibson Ek High School
Welcome to Gibson Ek High School!

Located in Issaquah, WA, Gibson Ek is a choice high school offering an innovative educational model for students looking for a more personalized, authentic, project-based approach to learning.

Read more about our school

Upcoming Events

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Administration Building, 5150 220th Ave SE, Issaquah, WA

The agenda and meeting details will be posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Please note the agenda and materials may be modified up to 24 hours prior to the meeting; after that time, any agenda modifications will be addressed at the meeting.

Happening Now at Gibson Ek

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By the Numbers

182

Students enrolled in the 2022-23 school year.

Our small student body in grades 9-12 reflects a wide diversity of goals, from college to entrepreneurship to careers in a trade or the arts.

500+

Mentors

Hundreds of working professionals have volunteered to mentor our students through on-site internships and remote career-related projects.

20

Competency Areas

With no traditional classes or grades, students learn through self-directed projects, incorporating competencies in reading, writing, science, social studies and math.

8

Innovation Spaces

“Exploration time” allows students to dive hands-on into 3-D printing, visual arts, science, woodworking, music and audio recording, cooking, digital media, gardening, & more.

Image shows the building of Gibson Ek High School

School Highlights & Programs

Gibson Ek students commit to a personal vision through authentic new learning that empowers them to contribute their knowledge and skills to meaningfully influence the school and community.

Gibson Ek High School Principal Tonja Reischl

Meet Principal Tonja Reischl!

Hi, Gibson Ek families! I am excited for all of the ways our students will push their creativity and get involved in community initiatives to tackle big challenges. I'm inspired by the many community-builders who are working to make communities healthy, accessible and vibrant – and that list of community-builders includes our students! A few fun facts about me: I love anything outdoors, such as cross country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, paddleboarding, etc. I also enjoy learning about the outdoor ecosystems, including all of the creative ways people are restoring them, solving big problems, and ensuring access and accessibility for everyone.

Lathe

Project-Based Model

Gibson Ek High School is a choice school open to any Issaquah School District student looking for a more independent, project-based approach to learning. With no traditional classes or grades, Gibson Ek students learn through self-directed projects, using the design thinking process to guide their work. Projects incorporate reading, writing, science, social studies and math along the way. Certificated teachers guide and assess students as they work independently. As a Big Picture school, we develop students to live lives of their own design, supported by caring mentors and equitable opportunities to achieve their greatest potential. Students graduate from Gibson Ek with the skills, knowledge and qualities necessary to be activists in their world.

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Learning Through Internship

Learning Through Internship

Gibson Ek High School students learn from working professionals whose careers match the students’ interests. Mentors have the opportunity to teach a student about the job, coach soft skills, and make a lifelong impact on a teen. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Gibson Ek students are mentored by adult professionals, either in-person at a workplace or remotely while the student completes a project from home. Well over 100 volunteers mentor our students, from local shop owners to professionals across the country and the world.

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