Hockinson School District is exploring options to address growing enrollment at Hockinson Heights Elementary School (HHES). One option under consideration is moving 5th grade students to Hockinson Middle School (HMS) beginning in the 2027-28 school year.

The Facilities Advisory Committee (CAC) is studying this option with community input and will bring a recommendation to the School Board by June.

• HHES enrollment has grown from 746 students (2020-21) to over 920 students today.

• This makes HHES significantly larger than the average elementary school in Clark County.

• HMS has 479 students, which is below the Clark County average.

• HHES enrollment has grown beyond the building’s original design capacity and is currently supported with portable classrooms.

• A bond to build a second elementary school was not approved in February 2025.

• HMS has available space, but was not originally designed for a Grade 5-8 model.

• The Hockinson Community Center cannot be legally permitted for K-12 education.

• Overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School causes traffic congestion at daily drop-off/pick-up and family events.

• Large elementary enrollment causes long lunch windows from 9:50 am (kindergarten) to 12:40 pm (5th grade) at HHES. The HHES student body has to be split between 7 lunch periods and 15 recesses.

• In 2022, MENG Analysis conducted a report to evaluate the educational adequacy of the Hockinson Heights Elementary School facilities. They concluded that “The current capacity of campus is inadequate to meet current and projected student populations, as a result, there are a large percentage of ‘unhoused’ students in portables.” MENG reported that the open spread-out campus plan creates security issues, inefficient circulation passing time, and is not ideal for the climate of southwest Washington.

• We strive to create positive and welcoming school environments where students are supported to learn. The current elementary school size makes it challenging for staff to know and support each student individually.

• Personalized learning is important to student success, and this is difficult to achieve at a large campus of 922 students.

If implemented:

• HHES enrollment would decrease to about 764 students.

• HMS enrollment would increase to about 637 students.

• The middle school would shift to a Grade 5-8 model.

This change would impact 5th grade students beginning in 2027-28.

In the March 2026 community survey, responses showed a range of perspectives:

• 28%: This makes sense for facilities and enrollment balance

• 23%: Makes sense, but with strong concerns

• 20%: Have concerns, but believe they can be addressed

• 21%: Do not see this as a reasonable solution

• 8%: Need more information

Some school districts are implementing cell phone policies that limit student cell phone use in school. The CAC and HSD Board of Directors are weighing options based on community feedback.

This spring, we will survey HHS students about cell phones in schools and how staff can best support students as restrictions are put in place.

In the March 2026 survey (see below), a strong majority of respondents supported limits to student cell phone use.

In the March 2026 community survey, the majority of respondents preferred to continue a calendar similar to the 2025-26 school year, with full week breaks in November and February.