District News

The inaugural House Champion Saga brought Machias sixth graders together through year-long challenges that fostered teamwork, leadership and lasting friendships.

Congratulations to our June 2026 Golden Apple Award recipients: Linda Hardy, Lanna Duncan, and Captain William Lennon!

Students in teacher Sadie Brumley's class at Machias Elementary spent a day fully immersed in pioneer life.

The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) – Sno-Isle Region 109 recently recognized Karla Reyes and Snohomish Masonic Fraternity/Centennial Masonic Lodge #25 for their unique contributions to the Snohomish School District. Both are 2026 Community Leadership Award recipients. We are thankful for their contributions to our district and community!

The Washington School Recognition Program has honored Riverview Elementary and Totem Falls Elementary for closing opportunity gaps and for students’ growth and academic achievement in the 2024-2025 school year.

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, provides a one-time $120 annual benefit to help families purchase groceries for school-aged children when meals are not available during the summer months. Families are strongly encouraged to update their mailing address with their TANF or SNAP office, as well as with their child’s school, in preparation for 2026 SUN Bucks benefits. If changes are necessary, this information must be updated no later than Friday, May 29. The address on file will be used to deliver benefits.

For students in 7th grade, the Tdap vaccine must be given at or after age 10 to be accepted for school entry. If your child is 10 years old and already received this booster, their immunizations are complete. The middle school nurse may need medical verification when this vaccine was given. If your child receives this booster anytime between now and the start of next school year, please bring the record to the school nurse. It is good to keep a copy of immunizations for your records.

Do you have a child who will be new to the Snohomish School District during the 2026–2027 school year? Or, have you recently moved to the area? Will your child be able to enroll in kindergarten or a preschool program next year? We can’t wait for you to join us!

Register now at the Snohomish elementary, middle, or high school your child will attend or visit www.sno.wednet.edu/enroll.

This year, 798 students will graduate from district high schools and programs! Congratulations Class of 2026!

Snohomish senior citizens are invited to attend district home athletic events and drama productions free of charge. Snohomish School District residents who are 65 years old or older are invited to apply for the district’s Golden Kla Ha Ya Club.

Congratulations to our March 2026 Golden Apple Award recipients, Juanita Alejandro, Angela Bowers, and Danielle Coats!

For National Nutrition Month, we’re going bananas for a from-scratch recipe that started in one school kitchen and is now shared nationwide.

At Snohomish High School and Glacier Peak High School, lunch comes with a side of entrepreneurship. Students blend drinks, track profits, and run promotions like pros. These student-led coffee shops are more than a caffeine stop ... they’re hands-on classrooms brewing leadership and real-world business skills every day.

Things are getting fishy (in the best way!) at Cathcart Elementary, in teacher Carrie Henderson's class where students have been raising salmon from tiny eggs to wiggly alevins ... turning their classroom into a mini hatchery before releasing their finned friends into the Sultan River later this spring.

Cold and flu season is here in our community, and the health of our students and staff remains a top priority. Here are a few helpful reminders for families to help keep our schools healthy.

Message from Superintendent Kent Kultgen regarding the results from the February 2026 election.

Congratulations to our January 2026 Golden Apple recipients John Webb, Megan Sloan, and Jason West!

Currently our elementary schools are at capacity and growth projections for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year show our numbers will steadily increase. This growth is driven by multiple residential developments in various stages of planning and construction on both the north and south ends of the district. Given these capacity constraints and anticipated enrollment increases, the district has closed elementary schools to new Choice Transfer and variance students for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year and for the 2026–2027 school year.

We value the voices of our staff, families, and community members, and community engagement is a priority for our district. If you’re interested in participating in future committees, workgroups, or engagement opportunities, we invite you to fill out this electronic form. By sharing your interest, you’ll be added to our list and contacted as opportunities arise. Thank you for your willingness to support and contribute to the work of our schools!

We’re excited to share that beginning this school year, elementary schools in the Snohomish School District will be using a newly designed report card. The updated report card simplifies grading so it’s easier to understand a child’s progress toward grade-level standards.

From guiding classmates safely to school to supporting daily operations, elementary students across Snohomish School District are stepping into leadership roles that make a real impact.

We want to share an early update about the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 school year calendars. We recognize how important advance notice is for family planning, and we appreciate your flexibility. The proposed start and end dates and other key breaks for both school years are outlined here.

The 2024-2025 district Annual Report was presented to the School Board at its November 12 meeting. This report is designed to provide parents/guardians and community members with important demographic, budget, facility, and student achievement data for school year 2024-2025 (September 1-August 31).

Snohomish School District has successfully taken advantage of current low bond interest rates to save taxpayers more than $2 million over the next five years. A sale of bonds, authorized by the District Board of Directors in August, will refinance bonds originally authorized in 2008. The overall borrowing rate for the new bonds sold on November 4 is very low at 2.88%, compared to the rate of 5.00% on the old bonds.

In Lauren Williamson’s 4th grade classroom at Riverview Elementary, Fridays have a special energy. Students eagerly gather around their table groups filled with building materials, curious questions, and a shared sense of anticipation. It’s not just the end of the week - it’s STEM Fri-Yay time.

Congratulations to our first Golden Apple Award recipients of the 2025-2026 school year, Jon Bauer, Steve Smith, and Erin McPeek!

Thanks to all those who joined us at our October 20 Connected Conversations - Connected and Protected: Navigating the Digital Age with international author and speaker Katherine Martinko. Click here to watch the recorded presentation.

Being in school on time, all day, every day makes a big difference for student success. Starting as early as kindergarten, consistent attendance helps children build strong learning habits, stay connected with their peers, and stay on track toward high school graduation.

When students returned this fall, they entered classrooms and facilities ready to support learning - thanks to the dedicated work of the district’s custodial, facilities, maintenance, and technology teams.

This summer, a group of Snohomish School District high school students gained real-world experience through our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Internship Program - a program that continues to grow thanks to strong partnerships between our schools, local businesses, and community organizations.

Join Superintendent Kent Kultgen on Wednesday, September 17, from 9-10 a.m. for Coffee & Conversation. Learn more at www.sno.wednet.edu/coffee.

With the new school year underway, our Meet the District Staff spotlights are shining once again for 2025-2026! Throughout the school year and weeks and months ahead, you’ll get to meet some of the amazing educators and staff who help make Snohomish School District such a special place to learn and grow. New spotlights will be shining all school year ... so keep watching!

Snohomish School District participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program sponsored by the USDA. All families who meet federal income eligibility may apply for meal benefits and can access additional district and community benefits with this annual eligibility. Any family is encouraged to apply to receive these benefits if you think your household will qualify. Free/reduced meal applications for the 2025-2026 school year are currently available online and in paper form. Visit www.sno.wednet.edu/freereducedmeals to learn more.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our students, staff, and community, the Snohomish School District conducted water quality testing across all campuses in late May and early June 2025. In accordance with Washington state law (RCW 28A.210.410 and RCW 43.70.830), all public schools built, or with plumbing replaced, before 2016 must regularly test drinking water outlets for lead. This proactive testing helps us identify and address any potential sources of lead in drinking water.

High schoolers and elementary students are connecting through caterpillars, letters, and learning! Snohomish High School students took part in the beloved Butterfly Buddies project—pairing with elementary classrooms to raise butterflies and exchange letters.

In late 2023, a significant structural issue was identified in the concrete base supporting the waterslide at the Snohomish Aquatic Center. Click to read an update on our waterslide closure.

Glacier Peak High School SkillsUSA Shop Club students recently built little free libraries for Snohomish County Parks & Recreation, blending craftsmanship with community service. Read to learn more how their work promotes literacy, park pride, and student leadership.

The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) – Sno-Isle Region 109 recently recognized these individuals for their unique contributions to the Snohomish School District. The Snohomish Kiwanis Club received the 2025 WASA Community Leadership Award and Snohomish High School student Mugdha Bhatnagar was the recipient of the 2025 Student Leadership Award. We are thankful for their contributions to our district and community!

At first glance, it might look like a 1980s flashback. But if you walked through Snohomish High School campus on any given Friday, the colorful fanny packs aren’t a time warp. They are part of a new school spirit tradition: Fanny Pack Friday.

The Washington School Recognition Program has honored Cascade View Elementary and AIM High School for closing opportunity gaps and for students’ growth and academic achievement in the 2023-2024 school year.

At Glacier Peak High School, a unique and impactful program is redefining physical education and inclusion. Unified PE, launched during the 2021-2022 school year, brings together general education students and students in the life skills classroom (those in the special education program), for a shared PE experience.

Over the past few years, Snohomish School District has significantly enhanced campus security by installing and upgrading more than 250 security cameras, along with viewing platforms and other vital equipment, across multiple locations. Thank you voters, for your support of the district’s Replacement Levy for Technology, Safety, and Facility Improvements, which has made these important safety and security enhancements possible!

Imagine a classroom where students aren’t just learning but actively building their futures - designing innovative products, diagnosing medical conditions, or managing business ventures. District Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs make this a reality by offering diverse pathways in fields like healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and beyond. These programs empower students to gain in-demand skills, earn industry-recognized certifications, and even jumpstart their college journey through internships and apprenticeships.

The Snohomish Education Foundation (SEF) is thrilled to announce the distribution of $100,000 in classroom grants for the 2024-2025 school year. This is SEF’s largest award total to date. This funding directly supports innovative educational programs and hands-on learning experiences that inspire students across the Snohomish School District.

For nearly four decades, the Snohomish Education Foundation (SEF) has been a source of support for the  students, staff, and programs in the Snohomish School District.

Colorful communication boards across the district are fostering inclusive, supportive environments for all students. 

The district Annual Report shares pertinent information with our community and aligns with our Strategic Plan.

Over the summer, the Snohomish School District's technology, custodial, facilities, and maintenance teams worked tirelessly on upgrades, including device preparations, facility improvements, and essential repairs, ensuring schools are ready for the 2024-2025 upcoming year. These efforts were made possible by the 2022 Replacement Levy for Technology, Safety, and Facility Improvements.

Cathcart Elementary students create recycled art with heart and purpose.

Recently, you may have heard about other districts throughout the region and state having to take drastic measures due to budgetary concerns. Snohomish School District is not facing the same challenges. Read more about the district’s financial health.

Retired VVMS teacher Judy Dahlberg fosters environmental stewardship through habitat restoration projects and the Valley View Habitat Restoration Club, engaging students and the community in hands-on ecosystem education.

Game clubs foster a sense of belonging in Snohomish middle and high schools.

The IDEA Project recently visited Cascade View Elementary to give students a unique, hands-on journey into the world of differences and abilities. 

The Snohomish School District prioritizes safety with the "I Love U Guys" crisis response protocols: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

Who remembers the Chia Pet? Centennial Middle School art students at Centennial Middle School recreated the iconic 1980s figurines.

Coming into focus: Lions Club partners with district to improve student well-being with annual vision screenings in our schools.

District middle school students are practicing real-life skills and are gaining an understanding of many of the engineering and trade skills necessary for life outside the classroom.  The engineering and computer-aided design (CAD) classes taught at Centennial Middle School and Valley View Middle School are part of the district’s career and technical education (CTE) program. 

Area high schools come together to train in leadership to promote inclusivity and increase student involvement. 

The Snohomish School District’s Strategic Plan provides a five-year roadmap to guide its mission, vision, and priorities in teaching excellence, community engagement, well-being, and resource management.

A group of district elementary students recently had a unique opportunity to share their hopes and dreams about what they wanted their future community to include. 

District helps prepare students to be future ready by moving to 1:1 devices.

Thanks to the generosity of a local civic organization, district elementary students will soon have a fun incentive to encourage summer literacy and learning! 

Centennial Middle School … oh how does your garden grow? To get the answer to this question, just ask teacher Jamie Mesman-Davis and her Family Consumer Science students!

Did you know Snohomish High School is one of Washington state’s oldest and longest continuously operating high schools?

Centennial Middle School and Machias Elementary teachers and students team up for a monster of a project!

Glacier Peak High School students make connections with delegates from around the globe.

Color Me Important works to engage students by celebrating and recognizing diversity

District remembers and recognizes veterans, named a Purple Heart District