Although its gas prices are some of the highest in Seattle, the Shell station near Bush is one of the go-to places for students when they are looking to buy after-school snacks, drinks, etc. before sports practices or on their way home. It’s also very convenient that it’s so close to Bush because when you’re really low on gas, you can put just enough money in to take you to a cheaper station! 😉
Here is a list of current student-run clubs offered at Bush:
The outdoor ed program is a perfect example of how Bush really does allow students to experience education. There are backpacking and wilderness first aid classes offered, along with many wilderness trips (usually a weekend getaway) that occur throughout the year. Jay Wyatt, the director of the outdoor ed program, makes these adventures fun and engaging for everyone.
Here are some vocab words and example phrases that are commonly used by Bush students:
Words:
Phrases
Although Bush is not known for its sports teams, there are for sure some star athletes across many of the teams!
Here is a list of all Bush sports offered:
Fall
Cross country running
Girls Volleyball
Girls Soccer
Boys Tennis
Boys Golf
Boys Ultimate Frisbee
Winter
Bowling
Cross Country Skiing
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Spring
Girls Tennis
Boys Soccer
Girls Golf
Track
Girls Ultimate Frisbee
Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee
If you are a student who plays non-Bush sports, you are eligible to receive credit for that as well.
MMM, which stands for Monday Morning Meeting, is a time when students have the opportunity to make announcements to the upper school about sports games, clubs, accomplishments, and anything else that may be happening in the upcoming week. Forum is every Friday. During this time, guest speakers come in to give interesting presentations, student-led games and discussions are held, or it is left “open”, where any student is welcome to raise their hand and address an issue related to the Bush upper school that they feel should be solved. Both meetings are really just to get the upper school together in one room to enhance the feeling of a community.
Senior Sneak is a day when the entire senior class comes to school on a Sunday to “decorate” the school with a fun theme that expresses who they are as a class. This year, we decorated the Bush upper school with a Greek theme where we rented a bouncy house, drew Greek letters on the ground with chalk, toilet-papered Wissner, set up a pong table, and had a barbecue! All faculty are aware of this fun little tradition, just not of all the specifics because it is organized by the seniors. Seniors typically do not go into school the following Monday, and are marked with an unexcused absence. However, it is still the student’s responsibility to go to class, complete assignments, meet with teachers if necessary, and arrive at lunch on the Monday to help clean everything up. Senior Sneak is a great time for everyone, and you should be excited to be a part of it when the time comes!
One of Bush’s greatest assets, in my opinion, is its college counseling program. Located on the third floor of Gracemont are the offices of Melissa and Alice, the dynamic duo who work so hard to help everyone through the intense and stressful college process. Sadly Alice is leaving, but Melissa (and soon a new counselor) is someone who is always there and ready to answer questions (i.e. if you’re not sure what classes to take to best prepare for college/to most impress college admissions officers). The whole process is very hands on, and I can’t think of any way in which I wish the process was improved when I was applying to schools. I know a lot of kids who go to other schools who had outside-of-school college counselors, but at Bush there really is no need. Melissa and Alice both have been on the other side of the process, as college admissions officers, and know how to have you best represent yourself so that you can get into a school where you will have a great experience.
AMP, which stands for Action Module Program, is a mandatory program that every student participates in; however, it hardly feels mandatory. AMP gives you the opportunity to experience something amazing. In the fall and winter, AMPs take place on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. as part of your weekly schedule. In the spring, along with possible weekly prep, AMP is a full week. This is when the really exciting off-campus adventures happen! AMPs may include political campaigning, internships, art shows, drama productions, wilderness trips, and community service opportunities — the possibilities are endless. Students may also design an AMP in conjunction with a faculty advisor.
Here is a list of some of the AMPs I’ve participated in:
Glass Blowing
Day Hikes
Tutoring the Community
Sailing in the San Juans
AIDS Alliance
Political Campaigning
Service at Bush
Coffeehouse
Some AMPs Katy has participated in:
Cake Baking
Political Campaigning
Day Hikes
Service at Bush
Asian Culture Sampler
Writing Beyond the Walls
Internship at the Washington Environmental Council
Denny Blaine is a cool place to just go and hang out with some friends, and is super close to campus. People flock to DB when the weather gets nice to have little picnics or just relax. Be warned though, along with Bush students, many adults come to Denny Blaine to do some nude tanning, so you may or may not see some naked people if you decide to venture over there.
Route from school to destination
The Bush School 