The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in English language arts. The lowest is 61% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Alpine Lakes Elementary
Alpine Lakes Elementary is a regular public school in Leavenworth, Washington, serving third through fifth grade. It is part of the Cascade School District, which also includes the area’s middle and high schools. The school’s enrollment reflects the broader community: a majority of students are white, with a substantial Hispanic population and small shares of other racial groups. About half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of economic diversity that families may want to consider as they evaluate the school’s support resources. Data on special education and English learner enrollment were not provided, so a parent looking into those programs would need to contact the school directly.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, Alpine Lakes students showed a pattern that is common in elementary schools. In math, proficiency was highest in third grade and declined somewhat in fourth and fifth grades. In English language arts, the school’s rates were more consistent across grades, with a slight dip in fourth grade and a small recovery in fifth. Science is tested only in fifth grade, and the proficiency rate there was similar to the ELA rate for that grade. Because only one year of assessment data is available for this school, it is not possible to say whether these results represent an upward or downward trend. The school’s overall academic performance, averaged across all tested subjects and grades, placed it in the top quartile when compared with other school districts in Chelan County. That is a strong showing within its county, though readers should note that the comparison is at the district level, not school by school, and that a single year’s data may not capture the full picture.
The town of Leavenworth is a small mountain community whose economy is dominated by tourism and hospitality. Its downtown is designed as a Bavarian village, drawing millions of visitors each year, and the streetscape is pedestrian-friendly with a high level of activity, especially during seasonal festivals that can cause traffic congestion. Outdoor recreation in the surrounding Cascade Mountains, including skiing at a nearby historic ski hill, anchors daily life for many residents. The town is served by Amtrak’s Empire Builder line at a station near downtown and by Link Transit, which connects Leavenworth to Wenatchee and provides local shuttles. Recent development has focused on tourism amenities rather than new housing, and a strict design review board regulates new construction to maintain the Bavarian theme. Housing values in the area are above the national median, and rents have seen a modest recent decline. For a family moving to Leavenworth, the housing market is likely to be a significant consideration, as the combination of tourist demand and limited residential development can put upward pressure on prices.
The Cascade School District has undergone several changes that affect Alpine Lakes. Voters approved replacement levies in early 2025 for the Educational Programs & Operations and Capital Projects budgets, set to run for a span of years. Those levies fund staff salaries above state allocations, curriculum, technology, extracurriculars, transportation, and facility improvements, and they have a direct impact on property taxes. The district also introduced a phone-free policy for students in grades six through twelve; this does not apply to Alpine Lakes’ elementary students. More broadly, the district has faced budget challenges tied to declining enrollment and the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds, resulting in staff reductions and departmental budget cuts for the 2024-25 school year. Families considering Alpine Lakes may want to ask how those cuts have affected class sizes and support services at the elementary level.
Alpine Lakes Elementary offers a standard elementary curriculum for grades three through five in a school that performs well relative to its county peers. Its economic diversity is real, with a notable share of students from lower-income households. The surrounding town provides a distinctive, tourist-oriented living environment that may appeal to families who value outdoor recreation and a walkable downtown, though housing costs are elevated and residential growth is limited. The district’s recent financial pressures and levy approvals are worth understanding before making a decision.
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