A tuition free public charter high school
serving Whatcom County
Phenomenon Based Learning
Students co-create their classroom experience, enabling them to pursue their passions, think critically, solve problems, and be creative. This approach helps them develop a strong sense of individual and community culture while exploring real-world skills.
Critical Literacy
Expanding worldviews and fostering better thinkers. Students are taught to understand that no text is neutral – bias is in everything. Critical Literacy is the ability to spot these biases and see the power dynamics in books, social media, music, art, news, and other resources.
Intergenerational Learning
Creating safe spaces for generations to come together and share their wisdom, skills, and knowledge. We value our elders and all the life experience they bring. Community elders provide education, support, and connection for students, both in and out of the classroom.
We incorporate the First Peoples Principles of Learning as a way of broadening perspectives and embracing many ways of knowing. By practicing these principles we are able to foster student growth that supports the self, family, elders, community and the land.
School Events Calendar
Announcements
This Week
Check out the student announcements created by Erik and Roy!
May
WIHS will host a board meeting today, Thursday, May 5th at 4:15pm to 5pm. This meeting is set to dicuss the organizational structure of the school. Anyone is welcome to join.
Info
WIHS will host info sessions for prospective students and families on May 12th at 6:30pm (virtual) and May 21st at 11am (in-person). If you would like to attend, please register at the following link: HERE
Phbl
WIHS 9th grader, Japneet Singh, has received the “Calene Cameron LeBeau Memorial Fund: Leading Communities Together Through Basketball” grant through Whatcom Community Foundation. Japneet is a part of the Fitness and Wellness Phenomenon Based Learning group where his goal this quarter is to bring basketball to our school community. Japneet helped write the grant application and was successful! He will pick out basketball equipment to share with the school and teach his peers more about the game.
Info
Dear WIHS Community,
We are excited to announce a blossoming partnership with North West Youth Services (NWYS).
In collaboration with their team, NWYS is providing a mental health counselor and a LGBTQ+ mentor for our school community. We are happy to announce Jordan Jackson and Hannah Gough, who will visit our school on a weekly and bi- weekly basis providing open counseling hours for students. Please read their bios below:
Jordan Jackson:
Hello, my name is Jordan Jackson, I am a Youth Counselor at the Northwest Youth Services. I’m originally from Los Angeles but moved to Vermont for educational as well as employment opportunities. While there, I studied Transpersonal Psychology, an exploration of different cultural views and treatments of mental and emotional disorders. Later, I moved to Bellingham, WA with my dog while continuing my master’s program in Vermont. My degree is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Expressive Art Therapy. The sessions that I offer are individualized and based in creativity, be it conversing, creating art, journaling/book altering, and role-playing.
Hannah Gough:
Hannah works at North West Youth Services with their Queer Youth Project and is an Advocacy Specialist. Hannah will be joining WIHS as a mentor for our LGBT+ community to provide self advocacy and connecting students with local resources.
Hi there! My name is Hannah Gough and I am the Queer Youth Project Coordinator at Northwest Youth Services. I am originally from Scotland but moved to America over 10 years ago with my family. I came to Bellingham to complete my bachelor’s degree in Human Services at Western Washington University and fell in love with the landscape and community up here. In my work, I assist youth in developing self-advocacy skills, learning how to navigate complex systems, and finding the necessary resources to get their needs met. I am passionate about creating spaces that don’t just focus on the challenges associated with Queerness, but facilitate and celebrate Queer youth’s self-expression, creativity, and joy. They will be at WIHS on:
May 3rd- 10am to 2pm
May 17th- 10am to 2pm
More dates will be announced.
Mission & Vision
Whatcom Intergenerational High School envisions learning designed with students and supported by elders. We see this generating deep inquiry skills, thoughtful interactions, and critical consciousness, ensuring every young person is prepared for college and able to contribute to a more just and sustainable world.
