HSD News Round-Up
Dec. 5, 2025 HSD Round Up
Focus on Student Learning: Hands-On Learning, Measurable Success
HHES Science Fair Engages 460 K-5 Students
Hockinson Heights Elementary School students demonstrated curiosity and creativity at the annual HHES Science Fair. Over half of the school’s population participated individually or with their class! Students across all grade levels built models, conducted controlled experiments, and communicated their learning to others by creating individual displays and classroom projects. Read more here.
Levy Spotlight: Lower Total Local School Tax Rates Than in 2025
The renewal School Programs and Operations (SP&O) levy measure on the Feb 10 ballot is not a new tax, but a proposal to renew an expiring levy. If approved by voters, the estimated local school tax cost for homeowners would be lower in 2027 compared to 2025. This is because the payment on the Hockinson Middle School bonds step down in 2026.
Additional information on the Feb. 10 Levy can be found at:
- The HSD's Levy Info webpage: School Programs & Operations Renewal
- The Columbian article: Hockinson School District seeks replacement levy
- The Reflector article: Hockinson school levy renewal proposal would lower monthly cost for homeowners
- The HSD's informational mailer (linked on button below)
Enroll, Enlist, Enter the Workforce: HHS Students Rise to the Top in Arts and Trades
Hockinson High School students are developing transferable skills and real-world experience across a wide range of career pathways from the stage to skilled trades. This month, 28 HHS students earned top scores at the regional Thespys competition, with eight now qualifying for the international festival. HHS Theatre helps students explore roles onstage and behind the scenes, including stage design, marketing, and audiovisual technology. Read more about HHS Thespians' victory here.
Two HHS students are on a winning streak after finishing first and second place in two regional SkillsUSA competitions. Next up? State Championships! Read more about this accomplishment and how SkillsUSA provides students with opportunities to demonstrate high-demand technical and practical skills here.
What's the Plan for 5th Grade?
The failure of the HSD’s Feb. 2025 Bond shifted the focus from external solutions to the overcrowding at HHES - namely, a second elementary school - to internal solutions. HSD’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) has been charged with looking inward to explore and identify possible facility and configuration solutions. (What is the CAC? It’s a group of HSD residents who are responsible for keeping the School Board informed of the needs of the community and, conversely, to inform the community of the district’s needs.)
For the past decade, one of the district’s most pressing needs has related to facilities and overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School. The school’s enrollment has increased from 746 students in the 2020-21 school year to 927 students currently, making it 478 students larger than the average elementary school in Clark County. While Hockinson Middle School’s 479 student enrollment is 158 students below the county average, its facilities were not designed as a Grade 5-8 campus.
As part of its research project, the CAC has visited both HHES and HMS at its December and January meetings at which building leaders presented status reports on facilities and school culture. They also answered questions from CAC members. The CAC will process this information at its spring meetings with the goal of presenting to the School Board by June. Ultimately, any decision by the School Board would not take effect until the 2027-28 school year.
February Break Reminder & 2027-28 Calendar Prep
Did you like the 2025-26 school year calendar, with full-week breaks at Thanksgiving and Presidents Day? Or do you prefer a more traditional school calendar? The Citizens Advisory Committee will soon be sending a survey to parents and staff to weigh in on calendar options for next year. The HSD School Board plans to adopt a calendar for the 2026-27 school year at its Regular Meeting on March 30, 2026.
Contact Us
Email: justine.vazquez@esd112.org
Website: https://www.hocksd.org/
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606, USA
Phone: (360) 448-6400