(For a pdf of the mailed version, click here.)

In Fall 2021, hundreds of Kelso students will enter the halls of a brand new elementary school, thanks to YOU. This building would not be possible without the support of our community. By voting YES for Kelso Schools, you have given Lexington-area Kelso students an opportunity to learn in a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will serve our community for generations.

School Size:

• 105,000 SF building

• 6,400 SF of covered play

• Each grade level of classrooms is grouped around a shared learning area, creating small communities within the school

• Gym, commons, and stage can be opened to the public for community uses after hours, while the rest of the school is secure

• Large garden and outdoor classroom with benches and raised planters

• Secure vestibule design ensures all visitors go through office before entering school

• Part of a central, district-wide security monitoring system with remote lockdown capabilities

• Secure entries with card reader access and camera systems

• Rooms designed to allow for occupants to be out of the line of site during a lockdown

• A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) has been developed and implemented to maximize safe pedestrian and vehicle traffic

• Meets Washington Sustainable Schools Protocol

• Made with Low Volatile Organic Compound materials

• At least 20% of materials are from within 500 miles

• On-site water filtration through rain gardens and bio-swales removes contaminants before water enters rivers and lakes  

• Drought-tolerant, native plants  

• The spaces in the building were laid out in a series of work sessions with teachers and staff from Beacon Hill and Catlin.

• The building shape and orientation separates the site into public and private sides, creating places out of the way of traffic that are safe for outdoor play and gardening.

• There are two Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) classrooms to better prepare our youth with these important skillsets.

• Modern playgrounds in both the kindergarten and

  upper grade level spaces encourage movement,

  socializing, and motor skill development, with

  cushioned ground below to help break falls.

• The green exterior reflects the school colors

  (hunter green, black, and silver) and the forest

  behind the school, and is seen throughout the

  interior on floors, walls, and signage.

Facilitated by PointNorth, a team of 21 Kelso School District staff leaders engaged in several workshops to plan the desired internal culture for the new Lexington Elementary School. Their work resulted in a Lexington Leadership Team Charter and a community survey that supported the development of final Lexington vision, mission and beliefs.

• VISION: The vision of Lexington Elementary School is to prepare students to be life-long learners and contribute to society as productive, kind, and compassionate citizens.

• MISSION: At Lexington Elementary #WEARE empowering students to fulfill their dreams and goals as they soar on their educational path towards college, career, and community readiness.

• BELIEFS: At Lexington Elementary School, we believe in celebrating learning, growth, and achievement. Through perseverance and a passion for learning, all students will SOAR!

  • Super Respectful

  • Outstandingly Responsible

  • Always Safe

  • Really Kind

While there is a lot of excitement around the brand new Lexington Elementary School, opening it means closing two others: Beacon Hill and Catlin. Just as there have been teams of people to plan, design, and organize the building of schools, Beacon Hill and Catlin each have a team dedicated to the closure of their beloved elementary school.

 Watch each school’s website in June for information on closing and commemorative events and videos. Meanwhile, here’s a little about these two Kelso schools.

As the construction on our two new elementary schools (Wallace and Lexington) draws to a close, we’d like to give special thanks to the teams that campaigned for, designed, built, and managed the entire process: Citizens for Kelso Schools, Integrus

Architecture, FORMA Construction, and ESD 112’s Construction Services Group (CSG). Their work over the last few years has been unwavering and exceptional, and their efforts will be enjoyed for generations to come.