Apollo Elementary School
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| Facts and Figures | |
| School type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1970 |
| Principal | Marla Erath |
| Students | 426 (As of 2005) |
| Mascot Colors |
Rockets Blue and White |
| Location | 15025 SE 117th Street Renton, WA 98059 |
| Information | (425)837-7500 |
| Website | http://www.Apollo.issaquah.wednet.edu Official Site |
Apollo Elementary School is located in the East Renton Highlands, Washington and serves grades kindergarten through 5th. Apollo is part of the Issaquah School District and is a feeder school for Maywood Middle School and Liberty Senior High School.
The State Department of Education in 1998 highlighted Apollo's academic success. As one of 26 Washington schools lauded for dramatically improved student performance, Apollo's strong instructional methods have been models for other schools.
Apollo is a host site for the district's MERLIN program. The all-day accelerated learning experience for grades 3, 4, and 5 immerses qualifying students in critical thinking, analysis and problem solving.
In 2004, Apollo's student population had dropped from over 700 to under 400 students. This was due in large part to the completion of nearby Newcastle Elementary School.
[edit] History
Before it received the name of Apollo Elementary, the school was known as "Elementary No. 8," the nameless child of the Issaquah School District.
In the search for a name for the new school, the name "Apollo" was offered as kind of a joke. The school librarian decided to do a little research on the name and discovered, that as well as being a symbol for light, music, poetry and youth, the legendary Greek god of this name also stood for learning and great wisdom.
Likewise, as a connection with events of the times, the ground for Apollo Elementary was broken on the same day as the Apollo 12 space mission departed for the moon.
Apollo Elementary School was dedicated in September, 1970.
[edit] Renovation
In the 1995/1996 school year, Apollo underwent a major renovation. The main east/west outside corridor was enclosed, incorporating a brand new library media center. The old library was converted into a computer lab. A completely new building was constructed in the courtyard for a music building and the gym was enlarged into a new gym and multipurpose room, complete with a new stage.
