Options Program - Seattle Academy
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
Options Program - Seattle Academy
The Hub
Seattle Academy Options Program
The Options Program at Seattle Academy provides a distinctive, personalized educational experience for students in grades 9-12. With small cohorts of 6-10 students per grade, the program delivers academic instruction in core subject areas—English, History, Math, and Science—designed to meet a wide range of student learning needs. It’s specifically designed for students who thrive with more flexible graduation requirements, curriculum, instruction, and pacing, while still offering full access to the broad range of SAAS programs and co-curricular opportunities.
The Options Program seeks to provide an alternate path for students who:
May be highly capable but have become increasingly disengaged with school due to a need for a program that allows them to engage more actively in areas of aptitude and interest.
May be overwhelmed by the stress associated with trying to progress in an academic structure that does not serve their specific learning needs.
May need a highly individualized path and program due to a health-related concern.
Meet the Options Program Faculty
Key features and benefits of the Options Program
Small Group Classes
Students have small group classes in their core subjects, which
Offers extra attention and support
Prioritizes students' individual learning needs for greater scholastic success
Helps students meet competencies by leveraging their strengths and interests
Integrated SEL
Academic classes integrate social-emotional learning strategies, which
Encourages collaboration and reflection
Fosters self-awareness
Strengthens peer connections
Supports emotional growth in a nurturing environment
Flexible Pacing
Options classes have greater flexibility in curriculum pacing, which means
Academic work is primarily completed during the school day
Students experience a reduced workload while preserving academic skill development
Access
Students in the Options Program have access to the breadth of extracurricular and elective course offerings at SAAS, which means
Students can enroll in courses across various disciplines within the standard program
They have full access to athletics, arts, travel opportunities, and college advising
The Options Program serves a wide spectrum of students but is not intended to be a specialized learning or therapeutic school program.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact
Jonathon Friedman
, Options Program Department Chair.
How do students join the Options Program?
What is the tuition for the Options Program?
How are students in the Options Program integrated in the broader SAAS community?
What is the typical class size?
Are there different graduation requirements for the Options Program?
What paths do Options students travel after graduation?
How are Options students supported outside of their Options courses?
New students can apply for the program through
Ravenna
. Current Seattle Academy students work with the
Options Program Department Chair
to determine eligibility.
The Seattle Academy Options Program tuition including the books, supplies, and activities is $71,462.
Options students are enrolled in a grade level advisory group and encouraged to participate in all aspects of student life at Seattle Academy including retreats, athletics, performances, clubs. We also recognize that some students prefer the smaller groups of the Options Program and can self-select to be part of an Options advisory group and participate in Options retreats and field trips instead.
Between 3-8 students per class depending on the grade level and subject.
Options Program Graduation Requirements
Upon successful completion of the credit requirements identified below, Seattle Academy Options Program Students will graduate with a diploma from Seattle Academy that indicates that students have met the graduation requirements from the Seattle Academy Options Program.
Classes
Required Courses
English
4 Years (12 trimesters)
Mathematics*
3 Years (9 trimesters)
Science*
3 Years (9 trimesters)
Social Studies**
3 Years (9 trimesters)
World Language
2 Years and 2 levels (6 trimesters)
Arts
2 Years (6 trimesters)
Health and Fitness
2 Years (6 trimesters)
(Students must complete two trimesters of Health and 4 trimesters of PE or participate in an approved outside athletic program for 30 hours per credit)
Career and Technical Education
1 Year (3 trimesters)
(This can be accomplished through participation in internships or through elective courses at Seattle Academy)
General Electives
4 Years (12 trimester) additional credits
Total Minimum Required Credits
72 trimester credits
(can be met if students take an average of 6 credits per trimester over the 4 years.
*A 4th year of Math, Science, History, and/or World Language is recommended for students planning to attend a selective college.
**Students must take one trimester of Washington State History and one trimester of Civics between grades 7-12.
Graduates of the program have chosen different pathways. All Options students who chose to apply to college were admitted to one or more of their choices. Some of those students are choosing a gap year. Others are pursuing work or volunteer opportunities like the Peace Corps. We support students in whatever post high school pathway they choose and always aim to keep as many future pathways open as possible.
The Options program works closely with families and outside support providers to provide continuity of support for students. The Options community provides opportunities for social skill building in a small and comfortable environment. Students are encouraged to explore their passions and connect with opportunities beyond the classroom.
The Hub
Seattle Academy Options Program
The Options Program at Seattle Academy provides a distinctive, personalized educational experience for students in grades 9-12. With small cohorts of 6-10 students per grade, the program delivers academic instruction in core subject areas—English, History, Math, and Science—designed to meet a wide range of student learning needs. It’s specifically designed for students who thrive with more flexible graduation requirements, curriculum, instruction, and pacing, while still offering full access to the broad range of SAAS programs and co-curricular opportunities.
The Options Program seeks to provide an alternate path for students who:
May be highly capable but have become increasingly disengaged with school due to a need for a program that allows them to engage more actively in areas of aptitude and interest.
May be overwhelmed by the stress associated with trying to progress in an academic structure that does not serve their specific learning needs.
May need a highly individualized path and program due to a health-related concern.
Meet the Options Program Faculty
Key features and benefits of the Options Program
Small Group Classes
Students have small group classes in their core subjects, which
Offers extra attention and support
Prioritizes students' individual learning needs for greater scholastic success
Helps students meet competencies by leveraging their strengths and interests
Integrated SEL
Academic classes integrate social-emotional learning strategies, which
Encourages collaboration and reflection
Fosters self-awareness
Strengthens peer connections
Supports emotional growth in a nurturing environment
Flexible Pacing
Options classes have greater flexibility in curriculum pacing, which means
Academic work is primarily completed during the school day
Students experience a reduced workload while preserving academic skill development
Access
Students in the Options Program have access to the breadth of extracurricular and elective course offerings at SAAS, which means
Students can enroll in courses across various disciplines within the standard program
They have full access to athletics, arts, travel opportunities, and college advising
The Options Program serves a wide spectrum of students but is not intended to be a specialized learning or therapeutic school program.
If you would like more information about this program, please contact
Jonathon Friedman
, Options Program Department Chair.
How do students join the Options Program?
What is the tuition for the Options Program?
How are students in the Options Program integrated in the broader SAAS community?
What is the typical class size?
Are there different graduation requirements for the Options Program?
What paths do Options students travel after graduation?
How are Options students supported outside of their Options courses?
New students can apply for the program through
Ravenna
. Current Seattle Academy students work with the
Options Program Department Chair
to determine eligibility.
The Seattle Academy Options Program tuition including the books, supplies, and activities is $71,462.
Options students are enrolled in a grade level advisory group and encouraged to participate in all aspects of student life at Seattle Academy including retreats, athletics, performances, clubs. We also recognize that some students prefer the smaller groups of the Options Program and can self-select to be part of an Options advisory group and participate in Options retreats and field trips instead.
Between 3-8 students per class depending on the grade level and subject.
Options Program Graduation Requirements
Upon successful completion of the credit requirements identified below, Seattle Academy Options Program Students will graduate with a diploma from Seattle Academy that indicates that students have met the graduation requirements from the Seattle Academy Options Program.
Classes
Required Courses
English
4 Years (12 trimesters)
Mathematics*
3 Years (9 trimesters)
Science*
3 Years (9 trimesters)
Social Studies**
3 Years (9 trimesters)
World Language
2 Years and 2 levels (6 trimesters)
Arts
2 Years (6 trimesters)
Health and Fitness
2 Years (6 trimesters)
(Students must complete two trimesters of Health and 4 trimesters of PE or participate in an approved outside athletic program for 30 hours per credit)
Career and Technical Education
1 Year (3 trimesters)
(This can be accomplished through participation in internships or through elective courses at Seattle Academy)
General Electives
4 Years (12 trimester) additional credits
Total Minimum Required Credits
72 trimester credits
(can be met if students take an average of 6 credits per trimester over the 4 years.
*A 4th year of Math, Science, History, and/or World Language is recommended for students planning to attend a selective college.
**Students must take one trimester of Washington State History and one trimester of Civics between grades 7-12.
Graduates of the program have chosen different pathways. All Options students who chose to apply to college were admitted to one or more of their choices. Some of those students are choosing a gap year. Others are pursuing work or volunteer opportunities like the Peace Corps. We support students in whatever post high school pathway they choose and always aim to keep as many future pathways open as possible.
The Options program works closely with families and outside support providers to provide continuity of support for students. The Options community provides opportunities for social skill building in a small and comfortable environment. Students are encouraged to explore their passions and connect with opportunities beyond the classroom.