# Sehome High School

Sehome High School (SHS) is a public high school in Bellingham, Washington. Sehome is one of four high schools operated by Bellingham Public Schools, and primarily serves students from southern Bellingham. 1,179 students were enrolled for the 2023–2024 school year. Sehome competes as the Sehome Mariners in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Northwest Conference (2A).

## History

Sehome High School took its name from the early town of Sehome (now part of Bellingham), which in turn was named for Chief Sehome of the Samish tribe. The school opened in 1966 on a site of over 40 acres (160,000 m$^2$) of land and at a total cost of $3,835,152, with its first graduating class matriculating in 1968. In 1996 the school had approximately 1,700 students. In 2008 Sehome had an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in grades 9–12.

### Rebuild

The school district's own Facilities Planning Task Force recommended that the original Sehome High School be rebuilt, due to the age and deterioration of the existing structure(s). The new school was built behind the existing structure, which allowed the existing facilities to remain open during construction.
The completed two-story building has a central commons area, similar to other high schools in the district, a 400-seat auditorium for drama and music performances, main and auxiliary gymnasiums, ceramics studio, and improved facilities for other clubs, classes, and activities.
Students began attending classes on January 30, 2019, with completion of the athletic fields and parking lots in August 2019.
The architect for this project was Dykeman, and the general contractor was Dawson Construction.

## Academics

Sehome High is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC). The school requires its students to complete a High School and Beyond Plan and requires students meet the published standards on the English and Writing sections of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). Sehome High offers courses, with about 226 students sitting for 366 exams in the 2008–09 school year. The school also offers Running Start and Tech Prep programs. Sehome's 3 graduating students in 2008 averaged SAT scores of 390 Verbal, 375 Math, and 355 Writing; ACT scores averaged 14.8 English, 14.3 Math, 16.2 Reading, 14.2 Science, with a Composite score of 15.1. The school upholds an 82% graduation rate.

## Activities

Sehome offers students a variety of activities and clubs, including FRC Robotics, Crochet, Debate, DECA, Diversity, Drama Club, FBLA, Hiking, Hispanic Honor Society, Key Club, Knowledge Bowl, Math, Model UN, Peer-Centered Outreach, Photography, QSA, Robotics, Science Olympiad, Sports Med, Teen Court, and Zodiac (an interdisciplinary sailing activity in the San Juan Islands.)
Sehome High School is in the Northwest Conference (NWC), and the school mascot is the Sehome Mariner. The school's sports program is governed by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), the Northwest Conference, and the district's Athletic Code and Standards. In sports, Sehome offers its students cross country, football, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bowling, gymnastics, wrestling, baseball, fastpitch, golf, track & field, cheerleading, dance and sailing.

## Notable alumni

* Glenn Beck, political commentator, radio and television host
* Billy Burke, actor
* Chelsea Cain, novelist
* Jonas Ecker, kayaker
* Doug Ericksen, politician
* Brent David Fraser, actor, writer
* Craig Johnson, film director
* Titi Lamositele, rugby player
* Jason McGerr, drummer
* Taylor Rapp, American football player
* Jake Riley, long-distance runner
* Hilary Swank, film actress
* Glenn Anderson, six time Stanley Cup winner

### Bands

* Idiot Pilot, alternative rock duo
* The Posies, power pop band