Original Research by School Decision on Hayes Freedom High School
Hayes Freedom High School serves about that size of a student body, a small high school within the Camas School District. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and serves grades nine through twelve. The school draws from the city of Camas, a community that has shifted from its paper-mill origins toward a mix of high-tech and financial-services employment.
Testing data is available for a single recent school year, giving a snapshot rather than a trend. In English language arts, a majority of students met the state proficiency standard. In science, roughly half did. In math, a smaller share of students scored proficient. A parent would want to note that math proficiency was notably lower than the other two subjects, a pattern worth discussing with the school to understand what support is in place. There is no multi-year trend to compare against, so it is not yet clear whether this is a stable profile or a single-year outcome.
The student body is predominantly white, with a Hispanic share that reflects the broader community, and a share of students from multiracial backgrounds. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that positions the school in a mid-range context for economic need rather than at either extreme. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a family with a child in either category should ask the school directly about services and inclusion.
The school sits within Camas, a city that has grown substantially in population over the past two decades and now has an affluent suburban character. Housing costs are well above the national median, and rents have been rising. That economic context shapes the peer environment: many students come from households in the higher-income brackets associated with the major local employers, Fisher Investments, WaferTech, and Analog Devices. But the share of students on free or reduced-price lunch also means the school serves a meaningful number of families who do not share that affluence.
The district is facing capacity challenges. A recent operational levy was approved, but two consecutive bond measures for capital construction have failed. Enrollment in the district is projected to continue growing, and without bond funding, planned additions at the high school level and a new elementary school remain on hold. A family moving into the area should be aware that this school and its feeder elementary and middle schools may experience increasing crowding. The school itself, with enrollment that is small for a high school, may be able to maintain its current feel, but district-level pressure could affect programming and facilities over time.
Beyond the core academics, the data does not show what courses or pathways the school offers. There is no listing of Advanced Placement offerings, career and technical education programs, dual-credit arrangements, or extracurriculars. A parent considering Hayes Freedom should ask directly about breadth of curriculum, because a school this size may have a narrower range of upper-level and elective options than a large comprehensive high school.
The graduation rate was not reported in the data provided. For a high school, that is a key piece of information. A family should check the Washington State report card or ask the school directly for the four-year graduation rate and any subgroup breakdowns.
This is a school in a community that has experienced rapid change and continued growth pressure, with a testing picture that shows a strong area in English and a weaker one in math. The district is working with tight facility constraints. Families who value a small-school setting within a wider affluent suburban environment may find it fits, but they will need to gather more detail on curriculum breadth, special education, and postsecondary outcomes directly from the school.
See more original research from School Decision →