Mercer Island High School (MIHS) is a public high school located in Mercer Island, Washington, United States, as part of the Mercer Island School District. As of the 2022–23 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,524 students and 74.51 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 20.45. There were 68 students eligible for free lunch and 31 eligible for reduced-cost lunch.

Awards and recognition

During the 2006-07 school year, Mercer Island High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education.

Music program

The school’s marching band has received national and international attention. In 1993 it participated in the 104th Rose Parade. In 2006, the marching band returned to Pasadena for the 117th Rose Parade. In 2011, the band traveled internationally to participate in the 2011 London, England New Year’s Day Parade & Festival upon royal invitation. The following year, the marching band performed in the 2012 Rose Parade. That fall, the band performed along with Newport High School at halftime of the November 4 Seattle Seahawks football game versus the Minnesota Vikings. In the spring 2014, the marching band participated in the 116th Victoria Day parade in Victoria, British Columbia. That fall, Mercer Island, Newport, and Cedarcrest High School performed at halftime of the December 14 Seahawks game versus the San Francisco 49ers. In 2015, members of the marching and concert bands traveled to Australia as part of a tour including participation in the Australian National Band Championships. In 2017, the marching band returned to Victoria to participate in the 119th Victoria Day Parade. In 2019, the marching band again participated in the Rose Parade. The marching band performed at a special halftime performance at the October 10, 2019 Seahawks game against the Los Angeles Rams, honoring longtime team owner and Mercer Island resident Paul G. Allen. In 2020, the band was scheduled to perform at the 123rd Victoria Day parade but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 19, 2021, the band performed at the 2021 Seahawks opening home game, performing before the game and appearing at halftime alongside Macklemore and singer-guitarist Ayron Jones. In November 2023, the band participated in the 97th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

Athletics

Mercer Island High School was honored by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association as the 3A Wells Fargo Scholastic Cup Champion for the 2005-06 school year, based on State championship victories in boys' track and field, boys' golf, boys' swimming and diving and boys' tennis. The boys lacrosse team was WHSBLA Division II state champion in 1996 (defeating Vashon High School in the tournament final) and won the Division I title in 2001 (vs. Bainbridge High School), 2004 (vs. Bainbridge), 2005 (vs. Issaquah High School), 2006 (vs. Issaquah), 2011 (vs. Bainbridge) and 2015 (vs. Bellevue High School) Girls' Swim and Dive had an undefeated season in 2009 ending it by winning the State Championship. Boys' Swim and Dive also went undefeated in the 2009-2010 season, and went on to win their fifth consecutive State title. The girls' and boys' tennis teams have won a combined 41 State championships since 1972. The girls tennis team has won 25 state titles and has been inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame. The basketball team, formerly coached by all-time Washington state wins leader Ed Pepple, recorded its first losing season in 38 years in 2006. In 1981 Mercer Island Basketball Team lost the AAA State basketball final game to Shadle Park in a controversial decision. At 64-65 to Mercer Island, a last-second shot by Shadle Park "depending on who you are listening to, either clearly did or clearly didn’t beat the air horn." Boys' swimming was rated first in its class by the 2006-07 NISCA National Dual Meet Team Rankings. The “tropical warrior” Islander mascot of the ‘70’s was deemed to be offensive and has not been used since.

Notable alumni

Notable faculty