Educational Programs Update

The scope of the school boundary adjustment process originally included examining educational programming equity, alignment, and continuum of services throughout the district. It has been decided to separate school boundary adjustments from the educational programming analysis at this time. The superintendent will continue examining programming equity, alignment, and continuum of services in the Kent School District. Here is an update on the educational programming analysis.  

Inclusive Education 

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the boundary committee has recommended adding several programs at all levels in several schools, ensuring that our students have the opportunity to access those programs in their boundary school or in their feeder strand. The boundary committee believes moving forward with these recommendations is best for our students, families, and schools.   

Dual Language 

We will continue to work to ensure program growth and continuity of access for KSD students in the dual language programs at Kent, Neely-O’Brien, and Scenic Hill elementary schools, Mill Creek Middle School, and Kent-Meridian High School.   

Highly Capable/Odyssey  

We are pausing Odyssey program changes to later in the spring after the highly capable student identification cycle is complete. This will provide us with additional data on where our students reside and what would be the best options for ensuring that our students are able to access HiCap services, and the services are equitable across all communities.  

I recognize the hard work of the Boundary Change Committee and its subcommittee that looked at equitable programming across the district. The data and recommendations are continuing to be analyzed to help ensure our families have access to programs at their local school or minimized busing to their student’s program. We are student focused and have our students at the center of our decision-making. I firmly believe every child deserves an opportunity to learn in an environment that supports their success, and these educational programs provide that opportunity for students.

In partnership,

Superintendent Israel Vela