Alumni Snapshots

Sharing alumni snapshots and stories is important because they allow our former students to shine, giving us reasons to celebrate their continued growth since leaving ECS. Our alumni are inspiring examples of what can be achieved with an ECS education as the foundation. In the stories below you’ll read about the skills our alumni went on to develop, connections they made, lessons they learned, or life experiences they’ve had. Each alum attributes these outcomes or achievements at least in part to their education and connections at ECS.

I attended Eastside Christian School during my middle school years and graduated with the class of 2015. My 8th grade classmates still talk and get together. It is nice to know that we are all still friends. I think those relationships are what ECS is all about.

After ECS, I attended Hazen High School in Renton, and was extremely well prepared for my high school academics.  I took AP English, Science and Social Studies classes, and found that I excelled in classes that required speaking and writing skills. I am very thankful that Mr. Brown (my History and English teacher at ECS) taught me amazing communication skills, helping me get to where I am in life today.

At ECS we were given plenty of opportunities to learn leadership skills and to serve others in school and in our community.  After I left ECS, I continued to seek out leadership roles and service to others.  I was named Newcastle Youth of the Year in 2019, and it was honestly because of the service value that ECS installed in me.

I believe that my successful graduation from Washington State University in 2022, with degrees in Broadcast News, Political Science, and Global Politics, is directly attributable to my attendance at ECS. While attending college, I also wrote for my school’s newspaper and worked at my school’s TV station. I always loved to write, and I built good foundations in English and writing while at ECS that really helped launch me into the career I have now as a news anchor.

I hope my story will inspire other ECS students to pursue a career in journalism and to appreciate all of the learning experiences an ECS education provides.

I attended Eastside Christian School from Kindergarten through 8th grade, graduating with the Class of 2010. My younger sisters also attended from Kindergarten to 8th grade, and our mom enjoyed working at ECS for several years while we were students there.

I look back on my time at ECS very fondly! I was set up for academic success very well. I chose to do running start instead of AP, always received good grades and was able to graduate high school with college credit.  I went on to attend Western Washington University and graduated early with a Bachelors in Communication Studies. Since getting married and starting a family, I’ve returned to work for a local small business where I coordinate and schedule for my own team of technicians.

One of the best things about my time at ECS is the relationships I started while there. I have stayed extremely close with my friends from ECS! We have all been bridesmaids in each other’s weddings and celebrated new babies at each other’s baby showers. Although we live in several different areas of the country, we always make a point to get together when we are in the same state!

The friends I made at ECS remained my closest friends, even throughout high school and college, and they still are to this day! 

I only attended Eastside Christian School from 6th – 8th grade, but those years were impactful and prepared me well for my subsequent studies at Bellevue High School, including one of my favorite classes: AP Physics.

After graduating from high school in 2014, I went on to attend Oregon State University where I received my Bachelor’s in Physics. I recently earned my Master’s degree in Astrophysics at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. Continuing in Rochester, I am currently a NASA funded graduate research scientist working towards completing my Doctorate degree in Astrophysics. I thoroughly enjoy my research at the Institute and had the honor of presenting my work during conferences held in Washington, D.C., Seattle and internationally in France.

My family and I are grateful for the amazing and safe environment at ECS, that helps put students on the path to having a successful life, both professionally and in our relationships.

As my story attests, even if you wait until middle school to join the ECS community, your time at ECS will have a great impact on your future.

I attended Eastside Christian School for elementary and middle school, and graduated with the Class of 2015.  Afterward, I went to Sammamish High School in Bellevue and was then accepted to attend Valparaiso University in Indiana.  I feel that ECS prepared me extremely well for my future education, especially in the areas of presentations and assessments.  I was also well prepared for advanced learning, and successfully passed my high school AP English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies classes. Throughout my years of higher education, I frequently relied on study methods and principles taught by my math/science teacher, Mrs. Ibrahim, and spiritual life director, Mr. Green. I graduated from Valparaiso in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics, and now work as an Engineer back in my home state of Washington.

ECS helped me develop ambition, discipline, and a servant heart, which are fundamental as I move forward in my career, intentionally grow my faith, and serve the community.

I started at Eastside Christian School in Kindergarten and attended until I graduated with the Class of 2016. ECS laid the foundation for the rest of my life, from knowing what it feels like to be loved to constantly pushing myself in academics and in life. I also left ECS with strong relationships that have carried me through high school and into college.

I attended high school at Bellevue Christian, and found I was exceptionally prepared for the classes in terms of academics.  My academic successes continue at the University of Washington, where I am currently enrolled as a student in the Foster School of Business, majoring in Marketing and Accounting.

In terms of leadership, being a Student Discipleship Leader for younger students at ECS left a huge impact on me. Having those leadership skills and comfort in commanding a room has put me leaps in front of my peers. I can present confidently because I was always encouraged to feel comfortable in ambiguity at ECS.

While at ECS, I was also able to foster my love for sports, which developed further in high school as I participated in interscholastic, district and state competitions. I continue to challenge myself with personal fitness activities, including triathlons. I was also involved in drama productions at ECS, which contributed to my passion for acting and a decision to minor in acting in college.

My love for stories and people is something that was on my heart at ECS and is still on my heart today. I have full knowledge that God wants to use this passion in some way in the future.

We’d Love To Hear From You

We love our alumni and are always filled with joy when we hear updates in the years after they leave the halls of Eastside Christian School. Please let us know where God led you after ECS; we celebrate your successes with you! If you’re ever in the neighborhood, you’re always welcome to stop by in person and catch us up, too!

Alumni students or parents of alumni: we invite you to complete this short survey. Please complete a separate survey for each alum. Thank you!