Education
Wenatchee Valley residents recognize the direct impact of quality education for their students. Local educational institutions are among the finest in Washington State. The results of heightened educational standards are demonstrated in improved student assessment scores, increased application numbers to post-secondary education institutions and increasing student recognition at state competitions.
Wenatchee School District
The Wenatchee School District has seven elementary schools, three middle schools, an alternative high school, and a 4A high school. The total number of students is approximately 7,125 with 450 teachers. The Wenatchee School District has a large minority student population: 30 per cent are Hispanic, 1.3 per cent Asian, and .5 African American. The district strives to employ exceptional educators to serve our diverse student population. home.wsd.wednet.edu
Wenatchee’s W.A.S.L. Test Scores
Eastmont School District
The Eastmont School District currently enrolls about 5,474 students in grades k-12. Students are housed in 10 buildings: five elementary schools (K-4), 2 intermediate schools, (5-7), a junior high (8-9), one high school, and a skills center. The district employs nearly 346 certified and 274 classified personnel. www.eastmont206.com
Eastmont’s W.A.S.L. Test Scores
North Central Education Service District
The Wenatchee Valley is home to one of Washington State’s nine educational service districts (ESD’s) that provide education services to 296 public school districts and all state-approved private schools.
The ESD serves 29 school districts in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties, which includes 12,600 square miles or approximately 20 percent of the geographical area of the state. These districts serve nearly 40,000 students, or four percent of the state’s kindergarten through grade 12 enrollment. They vary in size from Wenatchee, with over 7,000 students, to Stehekin with under 20. Students are served in 116 buildings by 3,454 certificated and 3,675 classified staff. For more information about the NCESD visit www.ncesd.org or call (509) 665-2610.
Wenatchee Valley College
Wenatchee Valley College is a comprehensive community college serving North Central Washington serving students seeking a two-year liberal arts and sciences degree for transfer; those seeking a degree or specific job skills in a variety of technical and professional areas; those seeking to improve basic skills in reading, mathematics, writing, and English as a second language; and those seeking to improve professional or personal skills through continuing education. As a district, over 5,000 students are served each quarter (including part-time students).
High school students can take classes at WVC for college and high school credit through the statewide Running Start program or receive technical training and work experience through the Tech Prep program.
The college also has a very active community and Professional Development Department. This department offers a variety of personal and professional enrichment programs for those who wish to learn new skills or improve existing skills. In addition, this department offers customized training for businesses with specific training needs.
The Wenatchee campus’ 56-acre site includes classrooms and laboratories, a bookstore, student center, library, cafeteria, Campus Theater, gallery, district administrative offices, the Center for Lifelong Learning and the Washington Higher Education Telecommunications Center (WHETS). Two teaching and demonstration orchards serve agricultural students.
The Omak campus is located on a half-block site near downtown Omak. The campus has on-site parking and includes classrooms and laboratories, faculty and administrative offices, a student center, and a library annex.
Wenatchee Valley College is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the National League for Nursing, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology, and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Sciences. For more information regarding Wenatchee Valley College visit www.wvc.edu or call (509) 682-6800.
Advanced Education
Upper division and graduate level courses and programs are offered on the Wenatchee Valley College campus through distance learning programs which are offered through Central Washington University and Washington State University. Bachelor’s degree programs are offered including business administration and teaching, without leaving the Wenatchee Valley. Several graduate degrees are offered as well. Through interactive distance learning, students are able to take high-quality courses and programs at times and locations that fit their busy lifestyles. For more information regarding Central Washington University in Wenatchee visit www.cwu.edu/wenatchee or call (800) 540-6537.
For more information regarding Washington State University’s North Central Washington Learning Center in Wenatchee visit www.ncw.wsu.edu or call (509) 662-2660.
Vocational Training
The North Central Technical Skills Center serves both the Wenatchee and Eastmont School Districts. The Center is an extension of area high school vocational and technical skills programs. The Technical Training allows students to improve their technical skills in a variety of disciplines including: Video and Multimedia Production, Public Safety, Cosmetology, Computer Technology, Bilingual Specialties and Automobile Technology.
Students attending the Skill Center develop vocational/technical skills and entry-level competencies. Students earn high school credit while learning from industry-veteran instructors. Students also participate in internships and work-based learning. Eight high schools from Chelan and Douglas counties participate in this unique learning opportunity. Enrollment averages 215 students per year. For more information regarding the NCW Skills Center call (509) 662-8827.