Nathan Eckstein Middle School

Eckstein Middle School
Location
Bryant / Wedgwood,
Seattle, Washington

United States
Information
Type Public
Established 1950
School district Seattle Public Schools
Principal K. Whitworth
Faculty ~70
Grades 6-8
Enrollment ~1300
Color(s) Blue and White
Athletics Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Track, Ultimate, Skeet Shooting
Mascot Eagles
Website

Nathan Eckstein Middle School (originally Nathan Eckstein Junior High School) is located in Seattle, Washington and is part of the Seattle Public Schools.

Contents

History

Eckstein Middle School is part of the Seattle Public School District and located on the border of the Wedgwood and Bryant neighborhoods. It was named after Nathan Eckstein, a Seattle businessman, Seattle School Board member, and onetime director of Seattle Public Schools.

The school was originally opened as a junior high school in 1950 to 790 students. In 1971, it was changed into a middle school, teaching students in grades six through eight. It now serves about 1200 students, over 200 of which are enrolled in the special education program and employs almost 70 certificated teachers.

Eckstein is known for its strong academic program, vast elective offerings, and award-winning music and technology education programs.

In 1998, Richard Riley, the U.S. Secretary of Education, chose to deliver the State of Education address in the school's auditorium.[1]

The building is a designated city landmark.

Music Program

Orchestra

Eckstein has four orchestras. They are the Beginning, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior orchestras, taught by Mr. Bradley Smith. The Beginning, Junior, and Intermediate orchestras are string ensembles, and the Senior orchestra is a symphony orchestra. Every year the orchestras perform at the Western Washington University Music Festival along with many other festivals. Senior goes on a retreat to Icicle Creek Music Center to work for a weekend at the beginning of February.

Jazz Band

Eckstein has three jazz bands, two of which meet as a class during the school day. All three jazz bands are taught by Mr. E. The Senior Jazz Band attends the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, and the Reno Jazz Festival in Reno, Nevada.

Notes

Eckstein middle school has over 12 buses that pick children up from all over Seattle.

Notable Alumni

Aaron Brooks, NBA player

Ann Dunham, President Barack Obama's mother.[2]

References

  1. ^ Tamra Fitzpatrick, Jolayne Houtz, Why Riley Picked Eckstein For Speech, Seattle Times, February 16, 1998. Accessed 30 September 2008.
  2. ^ Martin, Jonathan. "Obama's mother known here as "uncommon"" The Seattle Times 8 Apr. 2008. The Seattle Times Company. 9 Feb. 2009 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004334057_obama08m.html

Additional Links