Timeline Stories

Thank you, voters The education and operations levy passed with 57.12 percent support. Thank you for always putting our children first. Now, hear it from the students you’ve impacted directly: [...]

Dr. Jeff Snell became superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools in July 2021.  

Planning for the opening of Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts Elementary School is beginning to take shape. The new elementary school is set to open next fall; however, due to an enrollment decline across [...]

Remote learning 2.0 kicks off the 2020-21 school year The school year began in full remote learning for all students, based on school reopening guidelines issued by the Washington Department of Health.

Thanks to a bond measure that voters approved in February 2017, Ogden Elementary School was completely rebuilt. The new school opened on August 27, 2019.

Vancouver iTech Preparatory becomes first VPS STEM Lighthouse School. The science, technology, engineering and math—or STEM—school is one of six statewide designated as STEM Lighthouse Schools by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Along [...]

Kindergarten Jump Start, a free school-readiness program, was offer at all 21 elementary schools. The program sets the stage for student success.

The weLearn 1:1 rollout begins at Alki Middle School, where sixth-graders receive iPads to use at school and home.

The district passes its first technology levy, with nearly 62.5 percent of voters supporting the implementation of flexible learning environments that feature one-to-one technology. Over the next six years, teachers and every student in grades [...]

Washington Elementary School marks its 100th anniversary this year. The school opened in 1912 with a one-room portable building on an acre of cleared land at 29th and S streets. The first teacher, Miss Clara [...]

VPS implements one-to-one technology pilots including laptops, iPods, and Mobi tablets.

The Chinese Immersion Program begins in the fall for students entering kindergarten at Ben Franklin Elementary School. The Chinese Immersion Program is an academically challenging and enriching program for developing linguistic proficiency in Mandarin Chinese [...]

Spanish Immersion Program starts at Harney Elementary. The Spanish Language Learning Program is an academically challenging and enriching program for developing linguistic proficiency in Spanish and English.

Full-day kindergarten is offered at 10 locations.

Washington Elementary School starts the Walking School Bus program. Students walk to their designated bus stops and wait for a group of students, volunteers and parents to pick them up. Together the group walks to [...]

Dr. Steven Webb becomes superintendent and VPS Board of Directors adopts his ambitious new strategic plan, developed in concert with district employees, current and former students, parents and community, agency and business leaders. Over the [...]

The district's first Dual Language program (English/Spanish) begins at Sarah J. Anderson Elementary School. The Dual Language Program is a challenging academic program designed to provide instruction to students in two languages—English and Spanish. The [...]

The Chinook Elementary kindergarten class of 2003 included five sets of twins

Vancouver Public Schools celebrates 150 years. The district is older than the city of Vancouver and the state of Washington.

Dr. John Erickson appointed superintendent.

Governor Gary Locke and hundreds of guests attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Jim Parsley Education, Family and Community Center.  Located at the former Lewis Junior High site, the center is possible thanks to a [...]

Vancouver Public Schools and Hewlett-Packard Co. announce a new partnership to co-develop technology solutions for personalized learning in a connected community. The venture, called “Cooltown @ School,” includes a pilot project in three classrooms at [...]

Thanks to a gift of $2.5 million from George and Carolyn Propstra, the Propstra Aquatic Center opens in 1999.