Richland School District: Educating every student for success

In the Richland School District, we fully believe in the transformational power of education. We also believe this involves more than keeping students behind a desk and getting them to graduation. It is inspiring them to reach goals and dreams, it is teaching them the skills and knowledge they need for their success, and it is engaging them so they are driven to learn and apply those skills.

This work needs to take place throughout each student’s life, and no student has the same needs or challenges. Here are some of the ways we are working to ensure every student has the opportunity to become well-rounded members of our community:

• Promise Kindergarten: Early learning is one of the best ways to help students be prepared for their education and life. We welcomed 32 students this winter to our new Promise Kindergarten (Promise K) program, an early-entry kindergarten for children who have not participated in a structured early learning environment. The curriculum revolves around providing the skills needed to be successful in school. The program has received a lot of interest this first year, and we are already looking at ways we can expand it.

• Academy Of Health & Sciences: Health care is one of the fastest-growing career fields in our nation and especially in the Tri-Cities. Hundreds of our high school students have indicated an interest in pursuing careers in health care and our new Academy of Health & Sciences brings expanded course offerings and community partnerships to bear to give those students a variety of opportunities to pursue their vision.

• AP District Honor Roll: Students who test themselves through rigorous education are more likely to see what they are capable of achieving now and in the future. We have expanded our Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings and encourage all students to enroll in them, especially those who may not initially consider them. This has led to more of our students, specifically those not traditionally pursuing AP courses, taking and passing AP Exams for college credit, leading The College Board to recently name the district to its 10th Annual AP District Honor Roll.

• Science Curriculum: Updating our curriculum to meet changing standards and individual student needs is crucial. As we prepare to move to a new science curriculum that meets the state’s Next Generation Science Standards, we are also ensuring every science course offers a lab component, expanding the options for students to meet state graduation requirements while having the flexibility to pursue specific interests.

These efforts are not possible without the partnership of our families and community members. Their involvement in our schools, from serving as volunteers and coaches to support of our levies and bonds at the ballot box, ensure we have the resources our students need. And it’s not just teachers impacting student lives — every bus driver, paraeducator, kitchen worker, groundskeeper and others have a role in making our schools safe and nurturing places.

Together, we educate every student for success. We are excited to see our schools continue to grow and thrive in meeting this goal.

This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Richland School District: Educating every student for success."