{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2014}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox school | name = Eastside Catholic School | image = Eastside Catholic School Logo.png | caption = | motto = | motto_translation = | address = 232 228th Avenue SE | city = Sammamish | county = <!--King County--> | state = Washington | zipcode = <!--98072--> | country = U.S. | coordinates = {{Coord|47|36|25|N|122|01|33|W|region:US-WA_type:edu|display=inline,title|name=Eastside Catholic School}} | type = Private, coeducational<br />secondary school | religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic | patron = | established = 1980<ref name="School History" /> | ceeb = 480067<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/highschoolcode.html |title=High School Code Lookup |publisher=Vanderbilt University |access-date=September 19, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | head = | teaching_staff = 74.5 (FTE) (2019–20){{R|nces_psch}} | grades = 6–12<ref>{{cite web |title=EC at a Glance |url=https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/about-us/ec-at-a-glance |website=Eastside Catholic School |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> | enrollment = 862{{NCES Private School ID|BB202046|school_name=Eastside Catholic High School|access_date=July 25, 2023|do_not_render=y}} | enrollment_as_of = 2019–20 | other = | classes = | avg_class_size = 19<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=High School Profile |url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eastsidecatholic.org%2Fuploaded%2FAcademics%2FHigh_School%2FHS_Profile_Single_Pages_FINAL.pdf |website=Eastside Catholic School |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> | ratio = 11.6<ref name="auto"/> (2019–20){{R|nces_psch}} | fight_song = ''Catch the Spirit''<br />'' Eastside Catholic''<br />''(Mighty Oregon)'' <ref name="School Fight Song">{{cite web|url=http://eastsidecatholic.org/s/232/eastcatholic.aspx?pgid=1085|title=School Fight Song|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=Eastside Catholic School}}{{dead link|date=January 2017}}</ref> | athletics = WIAA | athletic_conference = Metro 3A | sports = Football, Volleyball, Baseball, Track and Field, Flag Football, Cross Country, Fastpitch, Basketball, Lacrosse, Swimming, Wrestling, Special Olympics Bowling and Tennis.<ref name="ECS Athletics">{{cite web|url=https://www.edline.net/pages/eastside_catholic_school/3936995333159014946/Athletics|title=Eastside Catholic Athletics|publisher=Eastside Catholic School|access-date=March 26, 2009}}</ref> | mascot = Crusader<ref name="ECS Athletics"/> | nickname = "EC"<br /> "Eastside Catholic" | team_name = Crusaders | rival = O'Dea High School | accreditation = Northwest Association of Independent Schools,<ref name="School History" /> <br /> Northwest Accreditation Commission,<ref name="School History"/> | newspaper = Eastside Catholic School Newspaper | alumni = 4,600+ | president = Gil Picciotto | tuition = $32,750<ref>{{cite web|title=Tuition and Tuition Assistance|url=https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/admissions/tuition-financial-aid|website=Eastside Catholic School|access-date=June 6, 2024}}</ref> | campus_size = {{convert|50|acre|0}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Campus|url=https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/about-us/our-campus|website=Eastside Catholic School|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref> | campus_type = Suburban | affiliation = National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS)<ref>{{cite web|title=EC at a Glance|url=https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/about-us/ec-at-a-glance|website=Eastside Catholic School|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref> | colors = Orange, Navy Blue {{color box|orange}}{{color box|navy}} | principal = {{ubl|Soonja Larsen (High School)|Ashley Hylton (Middle School)}} | dean = Keri Greenheck, Dominic Daste | website = [http://eastsidecatholic.org eastsidecatholic.org] }}
'''Eastside Catholic School''' is a private Roman Catholic secondary school located in Sammamish, Washington, a suburb east of Seattle within the Archdiocese of Seattle. It has a faith-based educational program for students in grades 6 through 12.
==Description== Founded by parents in 1980, the school is governed by an elected board of trustees. It is accredited by the state of Washington, the Northwest Association of Independent Schools. It is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association and the Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS). Eastside Catholic consists of a middle school, grades 6–8, with 235 students, and a high school, grades 9–12, with approximately 800 students.<ref>{{cite web|title=EC at a Glance|url=https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/about-us/ec-at-a-glance |website=Eastside Catholic School|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref> The athletics mascot is the Crusader and the school colors are orange and navy blue. Eastside Catholic also offers an integrated special education program for high school students, the Options Program.<ref>{{cite web|title=Options Program|url=https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/academics/options-program|website=Eastside Catholic School|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref>
==History== thumb|left|Eastside Catholic campus in spring For the first nine years, the campus was south of the Bellevue Square mall, at the former Bellevue Junior High School (old Bellevue High), which is now the Downtown Park.<ref>[https://www.eastsideheritagecenter.org/pdf/BellevueSchoolsTimeline%201883-Present.pdf Eastside Heritage Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021023021/https://www.eastsideheritagecenter.org/pdf/BellevueSchoolsTimeline%201883-Present.pdf |date=October 21, 2011 }} - Bellevue Schools Timeline – accessed September 19, 2013</ref>
The next campus was also rented from the Bellevue School District at the former Ringdall Junior High (1970–87) at 11650 SE 60th Street in Newport Hills. Classes were held at that campus from 1981 to June 2008. In August 2008, Eastside Catholic opened a new $42 million campus in the city of Sammamish. The school also included an expansion to include grades 6–8.<ref name="School History">{{cite web|url=http://www.eastsidecatholic.org/aboutec/ataglance?rc=0|title=School History|access-date=September 13, 2013|publisher=Eastside Catholic High School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053344/http://www.eastsidecatholic.org/aboutec/ataglance?rc=0|archive-date=September 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Sammamish campus features a chapel and 2,000 seat athletics stadium.
== Scandals == The school made headlines when the resignation of vice-principal Mark Zmuda was announced in December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/ftpimages/528/download/Mark_Zmuda_Personnel_Action.pdf|title=Mark Zmuda Personnel Action Letter|website=Eastside Catholic School official website|access-date=December 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224092142/https://www.eastsidecatholic.org/ftpimages/528/download/Mark_Zmuda_Personnel_Action.pdf|archive-date=December 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Zmuda said he had been fired.<ref name=President/> Media reports said he was asked to resign because of his same-sex marriage in July 2014. Over 400 students conducted a sit-in protest in his support, with many teachers supporting the protest as well.<ref name="Gay principal fired">{{cite web|first1=Casey|last1=McNerthney|first2=Henry|last2=Rosoff|date=December 19, 2013|url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/gay-vice-principal-confronted-400-local-students-w/246198845/|title=Gay vice principal dismissed by Catholic school, 400 students walk out|access-date=December 19, 2013|website=KIRO-TV}}</ref> The school stated in a letter to parents that "Mark's same-sex marriage over the summer violated his employment contract with the school" and that the school had been "directed to comply with the teachings of the church".<ref>{{cite news|last=Turnbull|first=Lornet|title=Eastside Catholic students rally around ousted vice principal|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022494004_gayprincipalprotestxml.html|access-date=December 21, 2013|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221155701/http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022494004_gayprincipalprotestxml.html|archive-date=December 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Though many at the school advocated retaining Zmuda, the Archdiocese of Seattle maintained that Zmuda either needed to be terminated or the school would lose its credential as a Catholic institution.
In response to the student protest, the school administration stated that students would be sent home for any additional campus protests.<ref>{{cite news|last=Langeler|first=John|title=Eastside Catholic back to school; will discipline protesting students|url=http://www.king5.com/news/local/Eastside-Catholic-resumes-school-protesting-students-will-be-disciplined-238813151.html|access-date=January 6, 2014|website=KING-TV|date=January 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106195219/http://www.king5.com/news/local/Eastside-Catholic-resumes-school-protesting-students-will-be-disciplined-238813151.html|archive-date=January 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> This failed to quell the controversy, and on January 22, 2014, the president of the school, Sister Mary Tracy, resigned.<ref name=President>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/catholic-school-president-resigns-after-gay-vice-principals-ouster/#postComments|title=Catholic School President Resigns after Gay Vice Principal's Ouster|website=CBS News|date=January 22, 2014|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> The school board of trustees accepted her resignation, saying, "For Sister Mary it was a difficult but necessary decision so that a new leader can be brought in to ensure the entire Eastside Catholic community is on a positive path forward."<ref name=President/>
In August 2017, the school underwent another major disruption of its leadership. The overall principal of the school and the principal of the middle school were both dismissed,{{Why|date=July 2020}} and 13 other faculty members resigned in response.<ref name=Kiro7principals>{{cite news|first=Alison|last=Grande|title=2 principals fired, 13 faculty quit at Eastside Catholic|url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/two-principals-fired-13-faculty-quit-at-eastside-catholic/594472363|date=August 18, 2017|access-date=July 3, 2018|website=KIRO-TV}}</ref> Amid the dispute, an online petition was established that collected more than 400 signatures, calling for the dismissals to be reversed. The school's interim president, Father William Heric, and the two co-chairs of the board of trustees were reported to have fired the principals without the permission of the rest of the board of trustees.<ref name=Kiro7principals/> The two trustees who were blamed for the action then resigned and the board of trustees removed Heric from the position of interim president. Heric was also removed from his position as school chaplain and relocated to another Catholic church in the Seattle area. However, the school's baseball field still bears his name. The dismissed principals and other faculty members were invited to return.<ref>{{cite web|first=Michele|last=Esteban|url=https://komonews.com/news/local/eastside-catholic-flip-flops-on-faculty-changes-interim-president-2-board-members-out|title=Eastside Catholic flip-flops on faculty changes, interim president, 2 board members out|work=KOMO News|date=August 18, 2017|access-date=August 22, 2017}}</ref><ref name=King5reverse>{{cite web|first=Elisa|last=Hahn|date=August 18, 2017|url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/eastside-catholic-reverses-controversial-faculty-shake-up/281-465401854|title=Eastside Catholic reverses controversial faculty shake-up|website=KING-TV|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> The turmoil resulted in the school being unable to open on time for its fall session, so the start of classes was delayed by a week.<ref name=Kiro7principals/><ref name=King5reverse/>
===Sporting Championships=== Eastside Catholic has won eleven state titles from 1984 to 2018:{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} The cheerleading team has won various UCA national and world titles. * 1984: Girls Cross Country * 2010: Division II Girls Lacrosse<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kevin |first1=Endejan |title=Eastside Catholic girls lacrosse wins state title, makes school history |url=https://www.issaquahreporter.com/sports/eastside-catholic-girls-lacrosse-wins-state-title-makes-school-history/ |website=Issaquah Reporter |date=May 17, 2010 |access-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> * 2014: 3A Football<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://special.seattletimes.com/o/html/highschoolsports/2025177164_prepfootballbellevue06xml.html|title=Eastside Catholic snaps Bellevue's 67-game win streak to win Class 3A title|first=Josh|last=Liebeskind|website=The Seattle Times}}</ref> * 2015: 3A Football<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/3a-football-eastside-catholic-roars-back-to-beat-bellevue-in-overtime/|title=3A football: Eastside Catholic roars back to beat Bellevue in overtime|date=December 4, 2015|website=The Seattle Times}}</ref> *2016: Cheerleading Non-Tumbling *2016: Girls' Lacrosse *2017: Cheerleading Non-Tumbling *2017: Girls' Lacrosse *2017: Boys' Lacrosse – Private School <ref>{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Shaun |title=Crusaders capture state lacrosse championship |url=https://www.issaquahreporter.com/sports/crusaders-capture-state-lacrosse-championship/ |website=Issaquah Reporter |date=May 28, 2017 |access-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> *2018: 3A Football<ref>{{cite news|last1=Evans|first1=Jayda|title=Class 3A: Eastside Catholic wins third state football title of decade, beats O'Dea|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/class-3a-eastside-catholic-wins-third-state-football-title-of-decade-beats-odea|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=The Seattle Times|date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> *2018: Cheerleading Non-Tumbling *2019: 3A Football *2019: Cheerleading Non-Tumbling *2024: 3A Basketball
==Notable alumni== *Justin Armbruester, pitcher in the New York Mets organization<ref>{{cite web |url=https://golutes.com/sports/baseball/roster/justin-armbruester/6226 |title=Justin Armbruester - Baseball }}</ref> *Matt Boyd, MLB pitcher for the Chicago Cubs *Hunter Bryant, NFL player formerly for the Detroit Lions<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/Player/Hunter-Bryant-83789/|title=Hunter Bryant, Washington Huskies, Tight End|website=247Sports}}</ref> *Nolan Hickman, NBA G League player for the Capital City Go-Go<ref>{{cite web |title=Nolan Hickman - Men's Basketball |url=https://gozags.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nolan-hickman/5311 |website=Gonzaga University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> *Sophia Hutchins, American socialite *Ethan O'Brien, professional soccer player<ref>https://www.nashvillesc.com/players/ethan-o-brien//</ref> *Josh O'Brien, professional soccer player<ref>https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/11/20/indy-eleven-announces-returnees-for-2025/</ref> *DJ Rogers, college football tight end for the TCU Horned Frogs<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Jayda |title=From Jamaica to Berkeley: Eastside Catholic four-star tight end DJ Rogers commits to Cal |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/from-jamaica-to-berkeley-eastside-catholic-four-star-tight-end-dj-rogers-commits-to-cal/ |website=The Seattle Times |date=14 December 2019 |access-date=6 December 2025}}</ref> *Gee Scott Jr., UFL tight end for the Columbus Aviators, played college football at Ohio State.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Joyce |first1=Nathan |title=Quite a Christmas present: Eastside Catholic's Gee Scott Jr. gets a football scholarship to Ohio State |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/quite-a-christmas-present-eastside-catholics-gee-scott-jr-gets-a-football-scholarship-to-ohio-state/ |website=The Seattle Times |date=25 December 2018 |access-date=31 August 2024}}</ref> *Cal Towey, MLB player formerly for the Miami Marlins. *Matisse Thybulle, NBA player for the Portland Trail Blazers *JT Tuimoloau, NFL defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts<ref>{{cite web|title=Colts select JT Tuimoloau with No. 45 pick in 2025 draft|website=NFL.com |url=https://www.nfl.com/videos/colts-select-jt-tuimoloau-with-no-45-pick-in-2025-draft}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|https://www.eastsidecatholic.org}}
{{WIAA Sea-King District 2|A|3A}} {{Schools in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Educational institutions established in 1980 Category:1980 establishments in Washington (state) Category:Catholic secondary schools in Washington (state) Category:Schools in Sammamish, Washington Category:High schools in King County, Washington Category:Private middle schools in Washington (state) Category:Schools accredited by Cognia Category:High schools within the Archdiocese of Seattle