The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 47% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Skamania Elementary
Skamania Elementary serves kindergarten through eighth grade as a regular public school in the Skamania School District. The school is small, with an enrollment that reflects its rural setting in the unincorporated community of Skamania, a place sandwiched between wildlife refuges along the Columbia River in Skamania County. The area is heavily forested and part of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. There is no commercial downtown; civic life and services such as libraries and county government are in Stevenson. The county economy relies on tourism, government, and recreation, and has seen modest population growth. Housing values in the area sit well above the national typical level, though below the state average, and year-over-year prices have dipped slightly.
Academically, the school’s overall performance across tested subjects lands above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Skamania County. In English language arts, a majority of students met the state proficiency standard in the grades where results were reported, though the share varied by grade. Math results were more mixed, with some grade levels showing a majority proficient and others below that mark. Science results were suppressed because too few students took the test, a pattern that also affected some math and ELA scores in upper grades, reflecting the school’s small class sizes. Because the school serves only through eighth grade, there is no graduation rate. Only a single year of assessment data is available, so no trend can be described.
The student body is predominantly white, with a notable share of Hispanic students and smaller numbers of students who are Asian, Black, or of two or more races. A substantial portion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating moderate economic diversity. No data was available on students with disabilities or English learners; a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and the support they receive.
School-level information on staffing ratios, course offerings, discipline, or attendance was not available. The district recently renewed a three-year Educational Programs & Operations levy, which funds a significant portion of the operating budget and supports transportation, special education, and enrichment. That gives a degree of financial stability for core programs.
For families who value a small, tight-knit school in a deeply rural, nature-oriented setting, Skamania Elementary offers a straightforward academic pathway that sits solidly within the county’s middle band of performance. Parents should expect limited local commercial amenities and a drive to Stevenson for services. The school’s size and grade span mean fewer program options than larger schools offer, and the mixed math results are worth understanding in more detail from the school itself.
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