History and Future

In 2009, Ferndale School District considered closing Beach Elementary School, one of nine “remote & necessary” schools in WA state. A group of active community members came together to strategizing viable ways to attract enrollment from off-island families to keep the school open while providing a unique educational learning programs for students. This group eventually became Lummi Island Foundation for Education and with invaluable support from other Island non-profits helped Beach Elementary School successfully pursue and receive the only International Baccalaureate accreditation in the Ferndale School District. An IB education aims to transform students and schools as they learn, through dynamic cycles of inquiry, action and reflection. Teachers enable and support students as they develop the approaches to learning they need – for both academic and personal success. Our primary goal was to provide a consistent and world-class education for children at Beach Elementary School and ensure that Lummi Island continued to be a diverse and family-friendly community. During our time offering the IB we bore the distinction of being the smallest IB school in the world!

2023 Update

After engaging with Beach School staff and the LIFE Board, Ferndale School District made the decision to shift away from the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. LIFE’s funds previously allocated to IB certification will now be redirected towards enhancing teaching and learning throughout the entire school. This will save the Board $25,000 for certification alone, not to mention other fees that arise with required learning options.

This shift will ensure that the exceptional learning experiences that have taken place within the school will continue to thrive. The focus will be on enhancing teaching practices through other inquiry based pedagogical approaches such as Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction, the Inquiry Cycle, Deeper Learning, GLAD Strategies, and Developmentally Appropriate Practices.

These approaches will empower Beach School students to think critically, engage actively, and deepen their understanding of the world around them. The school’s teachers have already begun a book study on Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction for the Thinking Classroom. Such ongoing professional development will ensure that instructional practices remain current and effective, allowing staff to provide the highest quality education for our children.

Moving forward, units of study will be more closely aligned with Beach School’s unique community and the interests of its students. This means that every child will have the opportunity to explore topics and engage in projects that directly connect to their experiences and the environment they are a part of.