Renton Prep Reviews

• We are disappointed and concerned by your review, which contains false and misleading claims. • First of all, the cameras are there to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff. They are only accessed by authorized personnel and only for legitimate purposes. We respect our teacher’s privacy and professionalism, and do not interfere with their teaching or evaluation as long as they are respectfully fulfilling their contract to treat students respectfully. • Second, the administration is not dishonest or unaccountable, but rather as a globally recognized school accredited by COGNIA and a Microsoft Showcase School, very clearly defined procedures and expectations for teachers and students are transparent and responsive. We communicate regularly with our staff and stakeholders, and we welcome feedback and suggestions. We also follow the policies and procedures of our school board and state, and we report our progress and challenges to the appropriate authorities. • Third, we do not provide traditional spoon-fed professional development for teachers, as they are responsible for on-going development of their skills and learning. Curriculum, scope, and sequence at all grade levels are reviewed during accreditation. We offer trainings, and coaching sessions throughout the year, and we support teachers in pursuing their own learning goals and interests. We also have a clear and coherent curriculum framework that aligns with the state standards and the best practices in education. • Fourth, we do not have a massive turnover of staff every year. We also have a strong mentoring program that pairs new teachers with veteran teachers, and we foster a culture of collaboration and support among our staff as long as staff choose to use what is offered. • Our teachers have 4 different levels of leadership supervision to discuss their concerns or insights. This reviewer chose to use none of avenues because there was no actual basis for the criticism.

• We are disappointed and concerned by your review, which contains false and misleading claims. • First of all, teachers freely sign their contract knowing and accepting that cameras are in every space except bathrooms. The audio-visual recording system is there to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff to help maintain the quality of respectful interactions between students and staff. Cameras are only accessed by authorized personnel and only for legitimate purposes, usually to review behavior after complaints from teachers about student behavior or complaints from students or parents about teacher behavior. We respect our teacher’s privacy and professionalism, and do not interfere with their teaching or evaluation as long as they are fulfilling their contract to treat students respectfully and meeting their employment agreements. W e do have remote teaching specialists who evaluate student and staff interactions to offer insights and recommendations for strategies to help us fulfill our mission. • Second, as a Microsoft Showcase School and Cognia Accredited and the first STEM certified school in Washington State, the administration is required to be accountable to a separate and independent leadership board, that every staff member can approach to share any concerns. There are 4 levels of leadership staff members can interact with to find solutions to fulfill our mission. We have very detailed and defined procedures and expectations for teachers and students. Administration is transparent in what it expects and responsive to recommendations and suggestions that will help us achieve our mission. We communicate regularly with our staff and stakeholders, and we welcome feedback and suggestions but when such feedback does not support our mission, it is heard but may not be accepted or implemented. We also follow the policies and procedures of our school board and Washington State, and we report our progress and challenges to the appropriate leaders. This is NOT a traditional school and teachers coming from other public or even private school settings often appreciate the freedom they have to teach, but they also discover there is a much higher level of personal accountability for their teaching that may not be expected in other schools. • Third, teachers are provided 75 minutes of prep time each day, with a 30-minute lunch break. Teachers know from the very first day of training what they are expected to teach and for elementary grades, that means all core classes. Middle and High School classes have teachers that focus on their particular subject matter. Curriculum, scope, and sequence at all grade levels are clearly defined.