5359 Ruby Place NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

I raised 2 girls through the school system. Bainbridge High more than prepared my kids for college. Both have said college is easier than high school and although high school was a hard time in life (most kids struggle at this age. Period. It’s not the high school but social media and parents not spending time with their kids). I had one kid with an IEP and if your doctor writes a letter explaining the issue, teachers and administration more than helped with support. Word of advice: know your kids’ friends and their parents wherever you live. It’s hard making friends at a new school especially starting a new school as a teen no matter where you go.

Our child went here for 3 years. The level of teacher engagement and experience varied from year to year, but overall we found students are not held academically accountable for doing their work, learning, and communication throughout the year on your child's progress and work may also vary. One year communication from the teacher was non-existent and we had to keep asking to see some work. Another year was better, but still not truly representative of how he performed since starting to homeschool. We are now homeschooling. The test percentages on this page are surprising as well. Kids spend too much time on devices. Kids are told they cannot keep score during games at recess (may hurt someone's feelings), nor show joy or cheer if making a goal (may hurt someone's feelings), and don't run when playing tag. Christmas, Halloween, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc are disregarded at this school. Prior principal explained to us that because a couple families may not like Halloween, nobody should partipate or wear costumes. This is not universal across all Bainbridge schools. Principal made this decision individually, disregarding parent opposition at the time. Yet, my kid tells me his teacher brought a small tree into class during December and made the class recite, "this is not a Christmas tree," when it obviously was. My kid looked around and said, "Yes, it is a Christmas tree." Too many inconsistencies at this school; however, the main disappointment was in the overall lack of academic excellence and accountability.

Woodward Middle School has been a deeply disappointing and harmful experience for our child. If your child has learning differences or isn’t fully white, be prepared to fight for their safety, dignity, and legally protected rights because the school will not protect them.Bullying is rampant and unchecked. Students casually throw around violent and explicit language—including threats and the word “rape.” Racist harassment is pervasive, yet the administration refuses to acknowledge or address it. Reporting issues to staff or leadership accomplishes nothing—concerns are dismissed, “investigations” are performed in ways that only worsen the bullying, and students who report are outed, making them bigger targets. Most students refuse to speak up because they fear retaliation, creating a toxic culture where bullying thrives.For students with disabilities, Woodward routinely violates federally protected IEPs, resulting in the denial of FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education). Instead of providing legally mandated support, the school actively undermines students' accommodations. Staff have surveilled our child in a way that worsens his challenges, rather than helping him gain independence. Instead of working collaboratively with families, administration makes unilateral decisions behind closed doors, avoiding transparency and accountability. Communication is inconsistent, with critical information often withheld or downplayed.Perhaps most concerning is the way administration gaslights both students and parents, making them feel as though their experiences aren’t real or serious. When we have advocated for our child, we have been met with dismissiveness, deflection, and misleading explanations. Rather than taking responsibility for the school’s failures, leadership shifts blame onto students and families.The emotional toll this school has inflicted on our child is immeasurable. He has been failed by a system that was supposed to protect and support him. If your child needs accommodations, a culturally inclusive environment, or simply a safe place to learn, I strongly urge you to reconsider Woodward Middle School.Bainbridge Island is often seen as an idyllic place to raise children, but the reality at Woodward tells a much different story.

Great school differently recommend so great ya