Chehalis School District

The Chehalis School District’s Student Achievement Initiative focuses on improving student achievement through quality instructional practices in all grades. The Chehalis School District believes that motivated students, enthusiastic instruction, and involved parents and community make a winning combination to produce well-educated citizens. By following this belief, we are accountable to each other in ensuring success for our students.

The Chehalis School District enjoys a long and distinguished history of excellence in the areas of academics, athletics, and performing arts. One high school (grades 9-12), one middle school (grades 6-8), and two elementary schools (Preschool-grade 5) serve over 2,700 students and employ just over 400 classified and certificated staff members.

Many of our students participate each year in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Our College in the High School program provides an opportunity for students to take college classes while enrolled at W.F. West. Participating students receive full credit for high school and full credit for college in course subjects including Mathematics, English, French, and Political Science.

W.F. West High School has been recognized as a leader in STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The school was named a STEM “Lighthouse” school by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and is one of only a few high schools to have its own Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), for scientific research. A state-of-the-art STEM wing opened at W.F. West in January 2018 thanks to the support of the Chehalis Foundation.

STEM courses are also offered at the middle school and elementary levels to help students build a strong foundation in these content areas. Robotics courses are offered at both the middle and high school levels and W.F. West’s Robotics team has won many awards at the state level. For the second summer in a row, Chehalis School District has partnered with the University of Washington for a Summer STEM Camp held in the W.F. West STEM Wing for high school students throughout Southwest Washington.

A robust K-12 music program supports band and choir beginning at fifth grade. Our CMS and W.F. West bands, choirs, and orchestra achieve outstanding and superior ratings in various competitions across the state and region.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer a world of work experience in several career paths, including World Language-American Sign Language, Early Childhood Development, Culinary Arts, Botany, Biology, Animal Science, Drafting/Engineering, Woodworking, Auto, Small Engines, Welding, Sign Making, Screen Printing, Graphic Design, Photography, Annual (Yearbook), Entrepreneurship, Personal Finance, and Leadership. These classes help students explore career options and meet the people who work in these fields. Students may earn college credit through Centralia College in Welding and Early Childhood Development.

Chehalis sports teams are successful at the district and state levels and also earn WIAA Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards for excellent and superior cumulative team grade point averages.