News

At Steilacoom High School (SHS), 5 students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma^TM, and 9 students have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate^TM during the 2024-25 school year. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are essential to academic and career success.

“Our AP Capstone students have demonstrated remarkable curiosity, perseverance, and scholarship,” said SHS Principal Jake Tyrrell. “With expert guidance from our teachers, they have explored real-world issues and produced research that reflects both intellectual depth and personal passion. These experiences will continue to empower them well beyond high school.”

To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional Advanced Placement^® (AP^®) Exams of their choice. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.

During the 2024-25 school year, more than 160,000 students in over 3,500 schools worldwide participated in AP Capstone. Of these, approximately 27,650 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 12,430 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. 

AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project-based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary. Students are encouraged to create research projects based on topics of personal interest and are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.

Of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program at Steilacoom High School:

• Five were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams. They are Laura Bahrt, Chloe Bowden, Eva Clapp, Graham Nobles, and Margaret Stuart.
   
• Nine were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. They are Matt Abelita, Hannah Basford, Joseph Cruz, Olivia Drake, Maya Flynn, Devin Jourdan, Samantha Ramirez, Maya Reber-Avila, and Alexx Skelton.

The College Board AP Program gives students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school. Earning a score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam has multiple benefits for students, including earning college credit, advanced placement in college courses, or both, saving them time and money. Research shows AP students are better prepared for and more likely to enroll and remain in college, do well in classes, and earn their degrees on time. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams align with their high standards.

In partnership with the higher education community, College Board developed AP Capstone courses to help students build and master skills essential for success in college and career.

Steilacoom Historical School District is proud to announce Steilacoom High School (SHS) has been recognized as a 2025 Washington School on the Rise by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL). This award celebrates schools where students and adults collaborate to improve culture and amplify student voice.

Recognition criteria for the award include established systems demonstrating students and adults collaborating and leading school culture together; tangible examples of co-design, collaboration, and joint leadership; examples of authentic student engagement and elevated student voice; examples of school engaging multiple student voices and perspectives; and quantitative and/or qualitative data to illustrate the outcomes of student-adult joint leadership.

The award letter from AWSP and AWSL shared, “SHS’s commitment to authentic student leadership and shared decision-making is inspiring. From expanding your leadership studies program fivefold, to creating a student senate, to honoring student voices in policy decisions, Steilacoom is a shining example of what it means to foster belonging, inclusion, and agency. You've shown the power of partnerships - whether it's students helping select your next assistant principal or collaborating on cell phone policies and school traditions. Every action you've taken reflects a culture where students are not only heard but empowered to lead. Your work embodies The Sentinel Way - a way of belonging, growing, and leading together. We are proud to celebrate your school and honored to present you with the Washington School on the Rise award. Congratulations to your staff, students, and entire community!”

2025-26 School Year Calendar

U.S. News and World Report recently named Steilacoom High School to their Best High Schools 2025-2026 list. The school also received this honor in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Steilacoom High School is ranked 34th out of 725 public high schools in the state of Washington. High schools around the nation were ranked on the following indicators of school quality: college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, and graduation rate.

We are extremely proud of the staff and students of Steilacoom High School, and are grateful their hard work and dedication have been acknowledged with such a distinguished award.

Steilacoom High School's office will be open through June 27.  The office will be closed from June 30 - August 11, reopening on August 12.

The SHS Counseling Office will reopen on August 15.

Student records are housed at the school, and all records requests received during the summer will be processed when the school reopens in August.  Special Education records requests can be sent to studentservices@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.
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Class schedules are available in Skyward on August 19.

Freshmen Orientation will be August 19 from 8:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Sentinel Day will be August 19, with all grades welcome from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Students can sign up for clubs, tour the school, catch up with friends, and make an appointment with their counselor if desired.

New Student Orientation (for new students and families in grades 9-12) will be September 2 at 6:00 p.m.

During the summer, you can pay any fines and obtain diplomas and transcripts at the District Office at 511 Chambers Street, Steilacoom, WA.

For enrollment questions, please contact our Enrollment Department at 253-983-2228 or  enrollment@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.
For any other questions, please contact the District Office at 253-983-2200 or info@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

Have a wonderful summer! 

Click here for Pioneer Middle School's school supply lists for the 2025-26 school year.

Parents/guardians of seniors, please join us on August 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the SHS auditorium for this informational meeting.

Join us for Freshmen Orientation on Tuesday, August 19, starting at 8:00 a.m. and wrapping up around 12:00 p.m.., right before Sentinel Day starts.

New SHS students and families in grades 9-12, please join us for our New Student Orientation on September 2 at 6:00 p.m.

All SHS students - please join us for Sentinel Day on August 19 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Sentinel Day is a time for students to sign up for clubs, tour the school, catch up with friends, and make an appointment with their counselor if desired.

Click here for Anderson Island Elementary School's school supply list for the 2025-26 school year.

Click here for Saltar's Point Elementary School's school supply list for the 2025-26 school year.

Anderson Island Elementary School's office will be closed June 16-19. The office will be open on June 20, 23, 24, and 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The office will be closed from June 26 - August 10, reopening on August 11 with regular hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

School supply lists, school year calendar, and other information for 2025-26 can be found on our school's website.

Student records are housed at the school, and all records requests received during the summer will be processed when the school reopens in August. Special Education records requests can be sent to studentservices@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

For enrollment, withdrawal, or waiver questions, please contact the District Office Enrollment Department at 253-983-2228 or enrollment@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

For all other questions, please contact 253-983-2200 or info@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

Have a wonderful summer! 

Saltar's Point Elementary School's office will be open 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. through June 17. The office will be closed from June 18 - August 18, reopening on August 19 with the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

On Monday, August 25, our office hours will return to regular school year hours of 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

School supply lists, school year calendar, and other information for 2025-26 can be found on our school's website.

Student records are housed at the school, and all records requests received during the summer will be processed when the school reopens in August. Special Education records requests can be sent to studentservices@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

For enrollment, withdrawal, or waiver questions, please contact the District Office Enrollment Department at 253-983-2228 or enrollment@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

For all other questions, please contact 253-983-2200 or info@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

Have a wonderful summer! 

Click here for Chloe Clark's school supply list for the 2025-26 school year.

Chloe Clark Elementary School's office will be open 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through June 17. The office will be closed from June 18 - August 19, reopening on August 20 with hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

School supply lists, school year calendar, and other information for 2025-26 can be found on our school's website.

Student records are housed at the school, and all records requests received during the summer will be processed when the school reopens in August. Special Education records requests can be sent to studentservices@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

For enrollment, withdrawal, or waiver questions, please contact the District Office Enrollment Department at 253-983-2228 or enrollment@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

For all other questions, please contact 253-983-2200 or info@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

Have a wonderful summer! 

Cherrydale Primary School's office will be open 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. through June 17.  The office will be closed from June 18 - August 18, reopening on August 19 with regular hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

School supply lists, school year calendar, and other information for 2025-26 can be found on our school's website.

Student records are housed at the school, and all records requests received during the summer will be processed when the school reopens in August. Special Education records requests can be sent to studentservices@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

For enrollment, withdrawal, or waiver questions, please contact the District Office Enrollment Department at 253-983-2228 or enrollment@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

For all other questions, please contact 253-983-2200 or info@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

Have a wonderful summer! 

Click here for Cherrydale's school supply list for the 2025-26 school year.

All SHSD students in grades 1-5 will participate in Success Conferences on either Thursday, August 28 or Friday, August 29.

• Students will not attend school on these days except for a Success Conference scheduled with their teacher on either Thursday, August 28 or Friday, August 29.

• Parents/guardians will have time to talk about their child's strengths, and what works best when they struggle.

• Students will become familiar with their classroom environment, as well as their school as they participate in fun activities.

• Teachers and staff will answer any questions students and parents/guardians have.

• Staff will be available to assist families with free & reduced lunch forms, ParentSquare, transportation, and more!

• Students will not attend school on these days except for a Success Conference scheduled with their teacher on either Thursday, August 28 or Friday, August 29.

• Parents/guardians will have time to talk about their child's strengths, and what works best when they struggle.

• Students will become familiar with their classroom environment, as well as their school as they participate in fun activities.

• Teachers and staff will answer any questions students and parents/guardians have.

• Staff will be available to assist families with free & reduced lunch forms, ParentSquare, transportation, and more!

• Students will not attend school on these days except for a Success Conference scheduled with their teacher on either Thursday, August 28 or Friday, August 29.

• Parents/guardians will have time to talk about their child's strengths, and what works best when they struggle.

• Students will become familiar with their classroom environment, as well as their school as they participate in fun activities.

• Teachers and staff will answer any questions students and parents/guardians have.

• Staff will be available to assist families with free & reduced lunch forms, ParentSquare, transportation, and more!

• Students will not attend school on these days except for a Success Conference scheduled with their teacher on either Thursday, August 28, or Friday, August 29.
   
• Parents/guardians will have time to talk about their child's strengths, and what works best when they struggle.

• Students will become familiar with their classroom environment, as well as their school as they participate in fun activities.

• Teachers and staff will answer any questions students and parents/guardians have.

• Staff will be available to assist families with free & reduced lunch forms, ParentSquare, transportation, and more!

• Students will not attend school on these days except for a Success Conference scheduled with their teacher on either Thursday, August 28 or Friday, August 29.

• Parents/guardians will have time to talk about their child's strengths, and what works best when they struggle.

• Students will become familiar with their classroom environment, as well as their school as they participate in fun activities.

• Teachers and staff will answer any questions students and parents/guardians have.

• Staff will be available to assist families with free & reduced lunch forms, ParentSquare, transportation, and more!

Kindergarten enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is open!

If your child will be 5 by August 31, 2025, now is the time to enroll them in kindergarten. Your early enrollment helps us plan for the school year and ensures you receive communications from us throughout the spring and summer.

Enrollment can be easily completed online. Check out our website for more info: www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/kindergarten

If you have additional questions, our Enrollment Department is always available to help! You can reach them at enrollment@steilacoom.k12.wa.us

We are pleased to announce that the Steilacoom Historical School District (SHSD) School Board has received a Board of Distinction award by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). The SHSD Board also received this honor in 2021 and 2022.

The Boards of Distinction program is an evidence-based program that screens applicants based on rigorous criteria. To receive recognition, applicants must demonstrate how they fostered successful student outcomes in their district by providing compelling evidence, proving a positive impact on closing opportunity gaps for their students.

WSSDA leadership were particularly impressed with SHSD’s focus on literacy achievement and the revisions made to the School Improvement Plan process. Additionally, WSSDA felt the SHSD Board of Directors made excellent use of their Board Self-Assessment tool to support goal alignment.  

Board members will be honored for their achievement at WSSDA’s 2024 Annual Conference in November.

Congratulations to Steilacoom High School for being named to the 2024 AP School Honor Roll! SHS is a silver member of the Honor Roll!

SHS offers 16 AP Courses and had 229 students who took at least one AP Exam during the 2023-24 school year. Of those students, 75.5% scored at least a 3 on their exam. Additionally, 15 students earned the designation of AP Scholar with Distinction for averaging a 3.5 or higher on five or more AP exams, and four students earned the AP Capstone Diploma for earning that score on six AP exams including both AP Seminar and AP Research.

SHS Principal Jake Tyrrell shared, “It’s really a testament to the dedication of our students, their families, and our incredible teaching staff. The rigor present in our AP classes prepares our best and brightest for all that their future colleges and careers will throw at them. I have confidence that this special class of Sentinels will meet these challenges with great aplomb.”

Steilacoom Historical School District is proud to announce our acceptance as a recognized partner with the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), a key initiative of the U.S. Department of Defense. MSEP is part of the Department of Defense’s broader Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program, which aims to reduce the unemployment rate among military spouses and close the wage gap with their civilian counterparts. Over 340,000 military spouses have obtained employment with MSEP employers since the program's inception in 2011.

As the first Washington state school district accepted as an MSEP partner, we join an exclusive group of over 850 employers and nonprofit organizations who have dedicated themselves to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining military spouses in careers that can adapt to the mobile lifestyle required by military service. This partnership will enable us to access a talented and dedicated workforce, while also supporting the financial stability and career aspirations of military families. 

This important partnership reinforces our district's commitment to supporting our military families and the communities we serve! 

SHS has a new athletic registration system, Final Forms. If your student plans to participate in a sport this year, please look at our new athletic registration process for the 24-25 school year.

Business View Publishing has named Steilacoom Historical School District to its Best of '24 Top School District's list. Check out this brochure and full magazine feature about SHSD.

Steilacoom High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony:

Wednesday, June 5, 2024
6:00 p.m.
St. Martin's University Marcus Pavilion

Doors open for guests at 5:00 p.m.

Steilacoom Historical School District is proud to be featured in the April 2024 edition of Business View magazine. The district was chosen to be included in the magazine’s Leading School Districts Segment for Washington. The feature focuses on the district’s prioritization of the holistic development of its students, as well as its approach to innovation, commitment to staff, response to demographic shifts, and vision for the future.

The article can be viewed on pages 267-276 of the magazine’s online edition at https://businessviewmagazine.com/civil-municipal/apr-2024/267/

U.S. News and World Report recently named Steilacoom High School to their “Best High Schools 2024” list. The school also received this honor in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.  Steilacoom High School is ranked 33^rd out of 753 public high schools in the state of Washington.  High schools around the nation were ranked on the following indicators of school quality:  college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, and graduation rate.

The Steilacoom Historical School District was one of the leaders to advocate for the 2023 legislation to establish the Purple Star Award Program in our state.  The Purple Star Award Program was created to recognize school districts that have incorporated military-friendly practices and demonstrate a commitment to military-connected students and families.

To receive the award, school districts must successfully address the educational, social, and emotional barriers that students may experience when their parents/guardians are deployed or when relocating and transferring to a different school. School districts must also demonstrate a commitment to military-connected families and students by providing students with the tools and supports needed for success in their education and in their futures.

Steilacoom Historical School District (SHSD) is one of 12 school districts across Washington to earn the Purple Star Award in 2024. The district will retain the designation for two years.

“We are honored to be partnering with OSPI to recognize the dedication and hard work of the districts awarded the 2024 Purple Star Award,” said Joel Aune, Executive Director of WASA. “These districts exemplify a commitment to supporting the unique educational needs of military-connected students in Washington state. By fostering environments that address the unique social, emotional, and academic challenges these students face, the Purple Star Districts are ensuring their students are poised for a successful school experience. We commend these districts for their effort and focus on these students and their families.”

SHSD is proud to support our military-connected families throughout the year, with a special focus during the month of April. The Steilacoom Historical School District Board of Directors recently passed Resolution 919-03-20-24 declaring April the Month of the Military Child. The district, in conjunction with community partners, has planned an exciting month of celebrations designed to bring all our military and civilian families together for fun-filled activities and resource sharing. The district’s most anticipated April event is SteillyCon, held on April 24, from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Pioneer Middle School. SHSD welcomes the community to dress up as their favorite hero or character and join us for a night of games, resources, STEAM activities, local superheroes and first responders, dinner, and more!

U.S. News and World Report recently named Steilacoom High School to their “Best High Schools 2023” list. The school also received this honor in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.  Steilacoom High School is ranked 37^th out of 754 public high schools in the state of Washington.  High schools around the nation were ranked on the following indicators of school quality:  college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, and graduation rate.

You can choose to have your books shipped to your home or delivered to me with our class order.

With a $25 order, you can pick a FREE $5 Book (use code: READS).

Shop Our Class Page: https://orders.scholastic.com/LP8QL

Please share the Class Page link to extended family and friends. All orders also earn FREE Books for our school library and Winter & Summer Reading packs.

Thank you for your support!

Class Code: LP8QL

April 13, 2023
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