The good news of today.
Read about all of the good things happening in Washington schools.
Hour of AI success!
On December 8, 2025, the AI and Robotics Clubs hosted an exciting Hour of AI! Manson High School students teamed up with elementary students to explore the world of artificial intelligence. Using activities from Code.org and SchoolAI, students discovered how generative AI can create music, drawings, and even rap songs — including some sweet tracks about Manson Elementary School. Our young learners practiced writing effective prompts and got a glimpse of how AI can shape their futures. Most importantly, everyone had a great time learning, creating, and imagining what’s possible.
Unified sports bring people together
Pacific Middle School and Shahala Middle School played a Unified Basketball game in front of a great crowd at Pacific Middle School. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. The two teams will play again later this year at Shahala.
Hands-on birdhouse project connects Washougal students across grades
Fourth-grade students in Washougal took their science and math lessons beyond the classroom walls through an innovative birdhouse building project. Washougal High School Woods Technology classes created the birdhouse kits, while middle school students from Canyon Creek and Jemtegaard Middle Schools provided direct support to Cape Horn-Skye and Columbia River Gorge Elementary students, mentoring the younger students through the construction process.
Bring the arts to life
In recent years, West Valley elementary schools have shifted from a music-only model to a broader focus on Fine Arts. This means students now learn not just music, but visual arts, drama, and even dance.
Wind River middle schoolers design rockets and flight paths
At Wind River Middle School in the Stevenson-Carson School District, 7th grade STEM students recently designed and built their own rockets. To ensure safe launches, students drafted detailed flight paths, mapping out nearby trees, powerlines, and buildings to create comprehensive safety plans.
Roots to Wings program launches at Yakima School District
Yakima School District’s CTE and GEAR UP Program has launched the “Roots to Wings” program in partnership with Pacific Northwest University (PNWU), preparing tomorrow’s healthcare professionals through hands-on experiences in medicine, emergency care, and clinical skills. The program connects students with student doctors from PNWU who serve as peer mentors. Students engage in practical learning opportunities, including human anatomy studies, DNA exploration, sheep brain dissections, CPR certification, dental care training, emergency medical techniques, and high-tech simulation labs.
Floriculture students apply floral arrangement skills in class
In Floriculture class at Royal High School, students created pop can “bud vases” while learning how to properly process and cut flower stems.
Students design & test car crumble zones in science lab
Students in science class at Canyon Creek Middle School in Washougal are putting their engineering skills to work by designing crumple zones for model vehicles and testing how well they absorbed impact during a simulated crash.
Students compete against teachers in Washougal Knowledge Bowl face-off
Two student Knowledge Bowl teams faced off against their teachers in a practice round in Washougal School District. The students demonstrated exceptional skill and gamesmanship during the competition. Student teams demonstrated an exceptional ability to do math quickly.
Washougal students visit Steigerwald for hands-on science lessons
Fifth graders from Columbia River Gorge Elementary headed outdoors this fall for a hands-on day of learning at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Before the trip, educators with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership visited classrooms to teach about bird species, native plants, and fish anatomy.
Learning to ride, right at school!
Learning To Ride, Right at School! Not every child knows how to ride a bicycle and even more don’t know how to ride one safely. Now thanks to the grant funded, Let’s Go Bicycle Education Program, some EPS elementary school students are learning how to ride the right way, right at school. The grant funding for this program comes courtesy of the Washington State Department of Transportation through the Climate Commitment Act and a partnership with the Cascade Bicycle Club. EPS plans on reapplying for the grant so that more schools can take part in the future.
Career-Ready Programs Expand at Woodland Public Schools
Woodland School District has significantly expanded its Career Ready Programs over the past couple of years, offering students diverse hands-on learning opportunities in construction trades, culinary arts, business management, pre-electrical trades through a partnership with Cascadia Tech Academy, early childhood education, and financial literacy in collaboration with IQ Credit Union.
Spotlight on Automotive Program at SCSD
Scott Midland, Automotive, Welding, and Middle School STEM Teacher at Stevenson-Carson School District talks about the hands-on learning happening at Stevenson High School. Scott and other teachers work hard to equip students with practical skills that open doors to careers, college, and future opportunities. Through carefully designed programs that promote career readiness, Stevenson-Carson is committed to ensuring students thrive in today’s industries and are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Middle and High School students build a greenhouse
Discovery High School and Odyssey Middle School parents, students, and staff in Camas School District helped to build their school’s Project Based Learning greenhouse. They learned how to lay several layers of brick foundation, add wood framing, and install plastic sheeting. The group is growing native plants in the greenhouse to sell at their annual spring plant sale.
Camas High School students prevent pollution
Students from Camas High’s Watershed Alliance Club partnered with the City of Camas to install new signs around Lacamas Lake, educating the community about pollution prevention and water quality.
Lars Sarkinen learns plumbing & carpentry skills in high school
At HHS, students like junior Lars Sarkinen are turning that demand into opportunity. Through the Career & Technical Education (CTE) and Running Start programs, he is already gaining skills and experiences that will grant him a competitive edge in the workforce. Sarkinen won first place in Plumbing at the 2025 SkillsUSA Washington State Leadership and Skills Conference.
HHS students measure photosynthesis in action
Students in AP Biology at Hockinson High School recently turned their classroom into a working lab to study the process of photosynthesis. Using baking soda, spinach leaves, CO2 and water, they measured how quickly oxygen bubbles caused spinach disks to rise to the surface of a cup.
Metals students create wind chimes, build career skills at Washougal High School
Students in Washougal High School’s Metals class are creating custom wind chimes that showcase their welding, measuring, and collaboration skills. The project combines creativity with technical precision as students work together to design, cut, and assemble each piece into a finished product.
Real-world learning. Real community impact.
Kelso High School advanced welding students are teaming up with the Kelso Police Department to build pit bars for two decommissioned patrol cars. These reinforced bumpers will help KPD train for safe pursuit-ending maneuvers—while giving students hands-on experience that goes far beyond the classroom.
Mountain View High School jazz band set to perform at prestigious midwest clinic in Chicago
Twenty student musicians from Mountain View High School will perform at the world’s largest instrumental music education conference this winter.
Longview highlights CTE programs
Our Career and Technical Education (CTE) department offers courses that provide exploratory and preparatory learning to help lead students to success in college and careers.
White Salmon Valley interpreters at work!
Huge thanks to our amazing team of Spanish language interpreters who supported families at WPSIS and HMS Curriculum Night this week! Your work helps ensure every family feels welcomed, informed, and included. ¡Gracias!
Revival of student-led newspaper in Battle Ground Public Schools
The revived student-led newspaper, “Your Battle Ground Public Schools” began in early spring 2025 with 6th grader Rye Dilley from Tukes Valley Middle. With the support of many students and staff…
Our Future Our Schools is a community-powered storytelling project designed to open the doors of our public schools and show the ways local students are learning, growing, and thriving. Serving as a one-stop hub for uplifting stories, real classroom experiences, and examples of student success across Washington, this effort highlights the everyday moments that shape tomorrow’s leaders, creators, and problem-solvers.
This work is made possible with support from our local sponsors: Chartwells, Bell Imaging, First Student, and iQ Credit Union. Together, we’re celebrating the promise of public education and the bright future unfolding in our classrooms today.