The Mercer Island School District administers the Island's three elementary schools, middle school, high school and…More alternative high school branch, Crest Learning Center.</p> <p>The school district is one of the Island's most well-regarded institutions and often cited by residents as the reason they live here. Forbes magazine recognized the district in 2009 as one of the ten best nationwide in small U.S. cities. Measured by test performance, Mercer Island is consistently one of the top districts in Washington state. In 2009, district students achieved the second-highest average score on the state's MSP/HSPE proficiency exams.</p> <p>The district is led by Superintendent Gary Plano, appointed in 2008, and by a five-member school board, each subject to four-year terms.</p>

The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving education in…More Mercer Island public schools.</p> <p>The Foundation holds several community fundraisers a year to support the schools, such as the annual Phone-a-Thon Campaign and the Breakfast of Champions event in April. Money raised from those events are invested in hiring more educators for the school district, investing in a new curriculum, buying new textbooks, classroom materials and supporting classroom enrichment and professional development. Last year, the popular Bridge the Gap campaign raised more than $850,000.</p>

West Mercer Elementary is located on the west side of the island just south of the First Hill, route:…More {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"first-hill-park"} --> neighborhood, along the roadway that shares its name. State MSP test results are very high, with 85 percent of students achieving math standards and 94 percent achieving reading standards in 2009. The school's classrooms (2009 staffing) are managed by 32 teachers and 35 specialist teachers and other staff are listed as faculty. West Mercer Elementary hosts the school district's gifted student and preschool programs, and features a before- and after-school day care run by a private contractor, <!-- name: Kids Company, for the 2011-2012 school year.</p> <p>Extracurricular activities include an emphasis on music, culminating in a school music concert in the fall and a school musical in the spring. The West Mercer PTA is also very involved in supporting extracurricular activities, including the sponsorship of weekly after-school art classes at West Mercer. West Mercer Elementary school is led by principal Rich Mellish.</p>

Located in the Mercer Island business district, Auto Spa provides a complete car washing service. Two self service…More car wash bays, vacuums, an automatic car wash and a full service detailing area are available. Self service vending machines provide wet towels, Amor All and air freshener products.</p> <p>Mercer Island resident and owner, Suzanne Skone, received the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce "2009 Business of the Year" award for her business and civic-mindedness. Auto Spa sponsors community fundraisers, such as sports team car washes, with all proceeds benefiting the team. It also offers one free car wash to all new Mercer Island School District employees.</p>

Crest Learning Center is Mercer Island's alternative high school, administered by Mercer Island High. It is located…More next to the school district administration on 86th Avenue.</p> <p>Crest employs a case-management model to offer a personalized learning experience for students unable to succeed in a traditional comprehensive high school environment. Crest's "Essential Learnings" include an emphasis on community, work ethics, study habits and learning how to enjoy their educational experience. The school is one of the oldest alternative schools in the region and boasts a high graduation rate.</p> <p>Associate Principal Mark Roschy is head administrator at Crest.</p>

The Mercer Island Education Association is a non-profit organization representing and advocating the interests of…More teachers and education professionals working for the Mercer Island School District.</p> <p>The teacher's union is part of the WEA-Sammamish UniServ Council, a regional organization primarily of Eastside teachers and organized under the Washington Education Association.</p> <p>President Tani Lindquist leads the MIEA and was elected in 2010 to a 1-year term.</p>