Academic calendar
Fall Term 2026 runs Aug 31, 2026 – Jan 29, 2027. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Spring Term 2026
- Fall Term 2026Relevant now
- Spring Term 2027
Campus language
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
Showing 15 of 15 terms
A
- ASB
- Associated Student Body, the student government responsible for school events and clubs.
C
- CyberKnights
- The school's mascot and the name of the robotics team, often used to refer to the school's competitive spirit.
D
- DECA
- An association of marketing students that competes in business simulations.
F
- FRC
- First Robotics Competition, specifically referring to the school's robotics program and team.
- FRC 4911
- The CyberKnights, the school's highly competitive FIRST Robotics Competition team.
H
- HOSA
- Future Health Professionals, a student organization for those interested in healthcare careers.
L
- LWSD
- Lake Washington School District, the governing district for the school.
N
- NHS
- National Honor Society, an organization recognizing students for scholarship, leadership, and service.
S
- Signature
- Refers to the 'Signature Programs,' the specialized two-year intensive courses students choose in 11th grade.
- STEM
- A term students often use to refer to the school when comparing it to 'traditional' neighborhood high schools.
T
- Tesla
- The common shorthand name for Nikola Tesla STEM High School.
- The Commons
- The central multi-purpose area used for lunch, assemblies, and social gathering.
- The Knight
- The school's official mascot.
- The Lottery
- The random selection process used by the district to determine which applicants are admitted to the school.
- TSA
- Technology Student Association, a major competitive club focused on STEM challenges.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Laptop
- Refers to the district-issued Windows device that every student is required to use for coursework.
- Laptop Check-out
- The process of receiving and maintaining the district-issued laptop required for all coursework.
- Laptop Office
- The on-site technical support desk for repairing and troubleshooting district-issued student laptops.
- Late Start
- The Wednesday schedule where classes begin later than usual to allow for staff professional development.
- LWSD
- Lake Washington School District, the governing district for the school.
- ORCA Card
- The transit pass provided to students who live outside the walking boundary to commute via public bus.
- ParentSquare
- The primary communication platform used by the school for announcements and alerts.
- Signature Labs
- Specialized, high-tech laboratory spaces dedicated to the junior and senior year thematic tracks.
- Skyward
- The online portal used by students and parents to check grades, attendance, and schedules.
- The Commons
- The main open space in the building used for dining and large school events.
- The Presentation Hall
- The main auditorium used for guest speakers, student presentations, and assemblies.
- The Shuttle
- The district-provided bus service that transports students from their neighborhood 'home' high schools to the Tesla campus.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Fall Term 2026 runs Aug 31, 2026 – Jan 29, 2027.
- How much campus context is included?
- 15 approved campus terms and 12 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.