Original Research by School Decision on Union High School
Union High School is a large regular public high school serving grades nine through twelve in Camas, Washington, part of the Evergreen School District (Clark). The school sits in a city that has transformed from a paper-mill town into a suburban hub of high-tech and financial-services employers. Camas has grown rapidly over the past several decades, and the housing market reflects that demand: home values and rents are high, and the area is affluent compared to national averages. The school’s enrollment is large, with a student body that is majority white, with substantial Hispanic and Asian populations, and smaller shares of students who identify as two or more races, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native. More than a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a meaningful share that indicates economic diversity within the school’s overall high-income context.
State testing data from the most recent available year shows that proficiency rates for all students were above the midpoint in English language arts, lower in math, and moderate in science. These results come from a single year, so no trend can be assessed. Parents looking for a school with strong ELA outcomes will find that performance was solid, while math achievement appears to be an area where the school may want to focus attention. Because only one year of data is present, it is not possible to say whether these levels are improving or declining. No graduation rate was reported in the data provided, which is an important gap for a high school that serves all four grade levels; a family considering Union High School may want to ask the school or district directly about its four-year graduation rate and how it has changed over time.
The school’s physical plant has benefited from a district-wide bond measure passed several years ago that funded a wave of school rebuilds and upgrades, with construction completed by 2024. That means Union High School likely operates in a modernized facility, though the bond’s specific impact on this particular school is not detailed in the available information. The district’s investment in capital renewal signals that facilities have been a priority.
Camas itself is a mix of historic downtown, suburban residential neighborhoods, and large employment campuses. The paper mill that once dominated the economy has downsized, and the city now hosts major employers including Fisher Investments, WaferTech, and Analog Devices. The population has grown significantly, and the mill site is slated for redevelopment into a waterfront area. This context suggests a community with strong economic demand for housing, a professional workforce, and a school system that is a major local employer. The high cost of housing means that families moving into the area will be paying a premium, and the school’s student body reflects that affluence, though the free- and reduced-price lunch rate shows that not all families are equally well-off.
Several data points that many families consider important are missing from the available record. There is no information on Advanced Placement or dual-credit course offerings, career and technical education programs, or other academic pathways. Discipline data, chronic absenteeism rates, staffing ratios, and special education or English learner enrollment counts were not provided. A parent or resident should be aware that these gaps limit the picture of what student support looks like day to day. The comparison to other districts in Clark County could not be produced because the necessary metrics were not available.
Union High School is a large comprehensive high school in an affluent, fast-growing suburb with a strong technology and financial-services employment base. Its academic performance is strongest in English language arts, while math and science show room for growth. The community is expensive and has seen significant physical investment in its schools. Families who want a fuller picture of academic pathways, graduation outcomes, and student support will need to seek that information directly from the school or district.
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