Options High School students, community connect with State Representative Alicia Rule during visit to The Health Center at Options

The new school-based health center at Options High School has entered its first full academic year of service following a soft launch in May 2024, representing a nearly realized vision two years in the making. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, a group of Options students, staff and leadership, along with district staff, school board member Jenn Mason and a representative from the Washington State Department of Health, were joined by State Representative Alicia Rule to tour the space, celebrate progress and share conversation while looking forward to more services the health center will soon provide. 

Rep. Rule assisted in securing state capital funding via the legislature to support the renovations of the medical clinic area, called The Health Center at Options. 

Students had the opportunity to listen to Rep. Rule explain her role as an elected official and how youth mental health has become an issue with strong support across the state. 

The discussion included remarks from current students who have benefitted from The Health Center at Options.  

One student, with type 1 diabetes, shared how they valued the opportunity to have a quiet location on site at school to visit when they do not feel well so they can wait until their blood sugar levels regulate.  

Another student, who was involved with the focus groups and feedback sessions that guided the formation of the health center, shared how the space – and loving staff – supported recovery from a physical ailment through consistent presence and care each morning.  

What is a school-based health center?

The Health Center at Options is designed to be a convenient, comfortable and confidential space. 

Currently, the health center provides onsite mental health and a space for telehealth appointments for Options High School students. It is staffed by school district staff and Compass Health. 

In an upcoming phased development of services, primary care and behavioral health services are planned to launch in January 2025 via partnership with local healthcare partners.  

Expected outcomes for the health center included: 

• Increased access to care 
• Increased equity in access to care 
• Increased collaboration and coordination between BPS staff and providers 
• Decreased stigma related to accessing care 
• Improved attendance 

How did the The Health Center at Options come into existence? 

The Washington State Department of Health awarded BPS an initial planning grant in July 2022.  

As a result, a School-Based Health Planning Task Force composed of Options staff, district staff, community healthcare partners, parent and student representation met routinely from late 2022 through April 2023 to assess the needs at Options, learn about school-based health centers and to develop a plan.  

The group conducted a needs assessment on the health care of Options students through available data, surveys, and community engagement. This informed the school-based health care model and business plan to implement the health center. 

Sound Bites 

“We’re beginning our third year of this process and student voice has been the center of all our conversations and decisions throughout the whole process. Those students who originally started with us are now out in the community. Every year we have new students coming in with new voices and needs, and we work to adapt, as we can, to that.”

– Katie Jones, Options principal 

 “Aiding and addressing a student’s mental health will not only help that student’s academic life, but their entire future opportunities, challenges, goals, dreams and character.”

– Options High School parent 

“It’s so powerful, all the time, for our students to be able to step back and see the big picture. To see how this is being influenced at the state level and at the community level, and then obviously day-to-day by our students here.” 

– Katie Jones, Options principal