School Profile

Mission and Vision

Billings Middle School is a dynamic academic community intentionally focused on the unique complexities of early adolescents. Our students become public-minded, critical thinkers impelled to actively engage their world.

Guiding Principles

These deeply held driving forces are qualities that determine our priorities and how we operate and communicate with each other. These guiding principles will help us measure the appropriateness of our decisions.

1. We specialize in the unique complexities of early adolescents.
2. We provide a rigorous academic environment for a broad range of students that celebrates the acquisition and application of real world learning.
3. We foster a safe space for risk-taking, exploration, and the search for identity.
4. We inspire students into awareness, care, & advocacy of self and community.
5. We promote social justice and environmental sustainability.
6. We operate with transparent integrity.

Vital Statistics

• Billings serves 110 students in grades 6-8.
• The average class size is 15 students.
• Over 23% of our students are from families of color.
• Students come from over 35 public and private schools throughout Seattle, the Eastside and our surrounding communities.
• Billings awards more than $250,000 annually in financial aid.
• 20% of Billings families receive tuition assistance.
• Billings Middle School is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

History

From its beginning, Billings has recognized the need for a school whose structure, values and rigor were wholly based on a deep understanding and appreciation for early adolescent development. The school was originally founded by educator Luanne Billings in 1979 as The Intermediate School serving grades 4-6 located in north Seattle. In 1996, it transformed into Billings Middle School. In 2001, the school moved into its current location near the shores of Green Lake with 36 students. In 2008, with just over 100 students, our size and exceptional faculty allow each student to find a powerful voice, develop mentor relationships, be challenged in personalized and meaningful ways, and learn to advocate for one’s self both as a student and as a citizen of the world.

As we have continued to grow to our current size, we also continue to believe that the development of one’s identity is intricately linked to an emerging sense of humanity and ethics. In teaching independent, critical thinking in a culture of public mindedness, it is our goal to go beyond “service learning” and into the arena of integration – a place where students intuitively consider power, perspective, bias, access, and sustainability as they carry out the work of their lives.

Location

Billings is located on the northeast side of Green Lake, just a couple of blocks from Green Lake Community Center, Green Lake Library, playing fields, and other community resources.