www.lkstevens.wednet.edu

School Board: Janice Thompson, President; Rod Mace, Vice President; Gail Manahan, Legislative Representative: Bob Bernethy; Mari Taylor

Student Enrollment: 7,656

Schools: Lake Stevens High School, PROVE High School, Lake Stevens Middle School, North Lake Middle School, Mt. Pilchuck Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Sunnycrest Elementary, Skyline Elementary, Glenwood Elementary, Highland Elementary, and HomeLink School

Welcome to the Lake Stevens School District. Improved student learning and achievement, planning for increased enrollment and additional facilities, and maintaining financial stability with community involvement and support in all venues define our focus.

Community and parent involvement in schools and student programs is planned for and actively sought after. For example, community members serve on the Curriculum Commission, Facilities Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Citizens’ Bond and Levy Committee, and at the building level, on School Improvement Teams, PTA’s, Booster Clubs, as well as volunteering in classrooms. Additionally, the District enjoys the active support of the Lake Stevens Education Foundation and the Purple and Gold Club. Both organizations raise funds to support students, teachers, programs, and activities. This year at the district’s annual volunteer recognition program over 1,800 volunteers were recognized for their 32,000 plus hours of service to their schools.

Since 1990 the district has experienced 78 percent student enrollment growth. Current commercial and residential building permits as well as future development plans indicate the growth trend will continue into the foreseeable future.

In Feb. 2005 the district proposed a bond measure in the amount of $65.5 million dollars to build a new mid-high school (grades 8 and 9), modernize the district’s three oldest elementary schools, and modernize the commons building and stadium facility at the current high school. The bond measure was approved with overwhelming community support with a 72.4 percent “yes” vote. The new mid-high is currently planned to be opened in the fall of 2007, the high school’s field turf and track has been installed, and the elementary modernization is planned for 2007.

In Feb. 2006 voters approved the renewal of the district’s four-year levy, which will enable the district to maintain its current level of services for its students, teachers, staff members and community.
Historically, over the past 20 years Lake Stevens School District has enjoyed tremendous community support with the passing of levies and bonds at some of the highest percentage of “yes” votes throughout the county. As the School Board continues its work of planning five to ten years out into the future, it will remain vigilant of the need to be excellent stewards of public funds and respectful of its tax payers’ support of schools.

The Board of Directors has planned for continued growth by purchasing property that will accommodate future elementary schools and a middle school. The Board is evaluating future property acquisition as real estate becomes available.

Lake Stevens School District is now in year four of its third, five-year strategic plan. While there are four major categories that are strategically planned to address, none is more paramount than our own mandate to improve student achievement. Progress over time has been achieved in state and national test scores and our students compare well with other schools in the county and country. While our testing trendlines are improving, we are striving to strengthen our students’ knowledge specifically in writing and have implemented an energetic writing across the curriculum program at the secondary level.

Our strategic plan specifically targets and outlines a five-year plan for addressing needs and improvements in the areas of High Standards and Expectations, Curriculum and Instruction, providing a Supportive Learning Environment and planning for the Three C’s — Communication, Collaboration, and Community and Family Involvement.

Our district’s mission statement clearly states that student academic success is our core goal — it simply reads: Academic Success for Each Student, Today and Tomorrow. At Lake Stevens, we expect the best for our entire learning community.