road to student success

MISSION

The mission of Kelso Public Schools is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.

VISION

Our students begin school ready to learn, transition confidently between grades and schools, and emerge from our district as engaged citizens, both career and college-ready.

PRINCIPLES

District communication that is open, effective, and collaborative. Financial stewardship that assures the responsive and productive management of district resources.

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OUR GOALS

CAREER, COLLEGE, COMMUNITY

CAREER, COLLEGE & COMMUNITY READY

Every Kelso student will transition successfully between grades and schools and will graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attitude to excel in post-high school opportunities.

climate

CLIMATE & CULTURE

Emphasize student safety, a healthy lifestyle, and respect for other students and faculty.

communication

COMMUNICATION

Maximize awareness and support of the district’s mission, vision, goals, and programs.

EARLY LEARNING

EARLY LEARNING

Every Kelso student will meet or exceed standard by the end of third grade in English language arts and mathematics.

fiscal

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Maintain effective resource allocation, operational planning, and solid fiscal controls.

INSTRUCTION

QUALITY INSTRUCTION

Every Kelso student will experience high-quality standards-based instruction that fosters critical thinking and high levels of academic achievement.

HOW WE GET TO 100% GRADUATION RATE

road map

CAREER, COLLEGE & COMMUNITY READY

Increase the four-year high school graduation rate by at least one percent per year for the next five years.

CLIMATE & CULTURE

Improvements to the learning environment will be achieved in two specific areas: 

  1. safety and security of our students and staff 

  2. student behavior

*2024-25 PRIORITIES:

  • Enhance our culture of belonging and engagement for students and staff while sustaining clear safe-school protocols.

  • Elevate student voice in the improvement process through meaningful dialogue and engagement.

COMMUNICATION

Engage with Kelso community to maximize awareness and support.

EARLY LEARNING

The percentage of all third grade students meeting or exceeding the grade level English language arts benchmark will increase annually, regardless of student subgroup.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

*2024-25 PRIORITY:

  • Maintain effective resource allocation, operational planning, and solid fiscal controls.

QUALITY INSTRUCTION

Student achievement in mathematics and English language arts will increase annually and the achievement gap between multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students in poverty—in comparison with other students—will decrease annually.

*2024-25 PRIORITY:

  • Attain strong student achievement and growth that produces equitable outcomes as measured by formative and summative assessments through a Professional Learning Community (PLC) process.

tradition of excellence