January 4, 2025
Dear HSD Community:
On behalf of the Hockinson School District School Board and our employees, I want to wish our families, and neighbors a Happy New Year! I know many households were dealing with illness before the break, so I hope this letter finds you in good health, too.
Monday, January 6 not only marks the first day of school of 2025, it marks the 155th year of Hockinson’s public schools! So I can’t think of a better time to take stock of where the HSD has been and where it’s headed.
New Year’s Resolutions: Reflecting on Our 2019 Goals & Readying for Refreshed Goals in 2025
In 2019, Hockinson School District leadership articulated a set of ambitious goals to guide our district’s progress over the following six years. As 2025 approaches, we’re reflecting on these goals and the strides we have made to achieve them. In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, here is a closer look at how our school and district teams have stepped up to implement these improvements.
Goal 1 (a): Measurable Growth in Student Academic Achievement
In 2019, we set out to make measurable growth in student academic achievement by 2025. HSD has made significant strides in student achievement over the past six years. Spring 2024 Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) scores demonstrate measurable growth, especially in grades 3, 7, and 8. These gains reflect our district’s focus on early childhood education, continuous improvement, and enhanced teacher collaboration. Our work to align K-12 curriculum has played a critical role in these improvements.
Goal 1 (b): Reducing Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) Opt-Outs
SBA testing is a valuable tool for measuring student growth and achievement. In recent years, district and school staff have let families know about the importance of participating in the assessments in order to provide a more accurate picture of student learning across the district. These efforts have paid off: In the 2023-24 school year, Hockinson Heights Elementary School recorded zero SBA opt-outs.
Goal 2: Maintaining HSD Facilities and Safety Improvements at all Schools
The condition and safety of our school facilities remain a top priority. Our buildings are well-maintained, and safety enhancements, including improved lockdown capabilities at all schools and a single secure entry at HHES, are included in the proposed February 2025 bond.
Goal 3: Expanding the College in the High School Program to Better Prepare Students for Running Start and Post-Secondary Opportunities
In 2019, we set a goal to expand college credit opportunities at Hockinson High School. In the last six years, our College in the High School program has grown, and so has student participation in Advanced Placement (AP) and Running Start. Enrollment in College in the High School increased from 196 students in 2022-23 to 407 in 2023-24, with a projected 584 students in 2024-25. Meanwhile, Running Start enrollment has stabilized at 74 students for the current school year. Additionally, the number of AP tests taken has risen sharply, from 55 in 2021-22 to 160 in 2023-24.
Goal 4: Growing the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program to Better Prepare Students for Post-High School Jobs
We also set a goal in 2019 to offer job readiness classes to more students by 2025. Enrollment in CTE courses grew from 609 students in 2022-23 to 727 in 2023-24, with a projected enrollment of 738 students in 2024-25. This growth reflects our commitment to preparing all students for success, whether their future includes college, technical training, or entering the workforce. In February, Hockinson voters will decide on a bond proposal that includes adding a Career & Technical Education building at Hockinson High School to offer more space for hands-on job readiness classes and allow more students at HHS to take CTE classes.
Goal 5: Preparing Students for Post-High School Success
In 2019, we envisioned a district where students are well-prepared for life after high school and families feel confident in their students’ futures. To address concerns highlighted in a 2021-22 parent perception survey, HSD created a dedicated College and Career Counselor position in 2022-23 and opened a College and Career office in 2023-24. These improvements, combined with the Gates’ Horizons Regional Grant and successful College and Career events in 2023 and 2024, are helping us support students and their families as they explore post-high school opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The vision that the Board set in 2019 helped to direct our efforts to provide excellent learning environments, innovative programs, and pathways for every student to succeed. We are currently finalizing our district’s goals for the next 5 years. The School Board met last July to consider next steps and will refine them further at its January 2025 Work Session. The HSD’s Citizens Advisory Committee will add their input and use the updated goals to refresh our district’s Strategic Plan.
Pursuing “continuous improvement” means there is always more work to be done. However, I am grateful that the HSD has a goal-directed approach to school improvement as well as the school leadership, staff, and community support to make it happen. It’s encouraging to see how far we’ve come as a district and, like me, I hope you are excited to see what our schools and community will achieve in 2025 and beyond.
Sincerely,
Steve Marshall
Superintendent
Hockinson School District