The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in Science. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Carson Elementary
Carson Elementary serves third through fifth grade in the small Columbia River Gorge community of Carson, Washington. It is a regular public school and part of the Stevenson-Carson School District. The school building has since closed after the 2023-24 school year, meaning it no longer operates as an active school, a fact a family looking at this area would need to verify with the district. The data presented here reflects its final year of operation and is a record of its academic standing at that time.
Carson is a rural, car-dependent census-designated place within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just north of the Columbia River. Its character is dominated by forested terrain, dispersed residential lots, and the Carson Hot Springs resort. The area is not walkable, lacks a downtown core, and schools are located in the neighboring town of Stevenson. The largest local industries are warehousing, construction, and transportation. Population growth has been slow, and the location within a scenic area likely limits large-scale development. For a family, this means living in a quiet, low-density setting with a commute to Stevenson for most commercial and civic services.
On state assessments, Carson Elementary’s results showed a mixed picture. In math, the share of students scoring proficient rose from third grade to fifth grade. In English language arts, the pattern was similar, with a notably higher proficiency rate in fifth grade compared to the earlier grades. Science, tested only in fifth grade, saw just over half of students meeting the proficiency standard. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index placed below the midpoint when compared to other schools serving districts in Skamania County. A parent interpreting these results would see a school where older students tended to perform more strongly than younger ones on state tests, but where the overall academic attainment was not among the strongest in the county.
A substantial majority of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a large share of families face economic needs. The student body was predominantly white, with a smaller number of Hispanic students and students identifying as two or more races. The school served grades three through five only, so there is no graduation rate to report, as that metric does not apply to this grade band.
The Stevenson-Carson School District, which operated the school, had no recently reported parent-relevant changes such as referendums, curriculum shifts, or boundary adjustments that would be documented here. What this means is that a family considering this area should reach out to the district directly to learn about current elementary options, since the Carson Elementary building is no longer in service.
The housing market in Carson reflects typical patterns for a rural scenic area. Home values are positioned between the lower national benchmark and the higher statewide benchmark for Washington. A mortgage at prevailing rates on a typical home would require a substantial monthly payment relative to a moderate income, which is a reality shared by many communities in the region. Rents are not reported here.
For a parent or resident, the story of Carson Elementary is one of a school that is now closed. Its academic profile in its final year showed notable growth from third to fifth grade in both math and reading, but also showed overall results that were below the midpoint among the sparse array of districts in Skamania County. A family considering this area would need to investigate what alternative elementary schools the Stevenson-Carson district now provides, and what the academic and demographic character of those schools looks like today.
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