🎉 DEER PARK’S STORY GOES NATIONAL! 🦌💙
We are excited and proud to share that Deer Park School District has been featured nationally by The Education Magazine as one of “The 10 Elite School Districts Shaping Education in 2026.”
There is something special about Deer Park. It’s our students. Our staff. Our families. Our community. It’s the Stag Pride, the small-town spirit, and the way people come together to support our schools and one another.
We don’t do this work for recognition—we do it because we believe deeply in our students and their futures. But when great things are happening, sometimes others take notice!
This national recognition celebrates the work happening throughout our schools and the strong partnership between our district and community. This recognition belongs to all of Deer Park!
We invite you to read the article, share it, and celebrate with us:
🔗 https://www.theeducationmagazine.com/the-10-elite-school-districts-shaping-education-in-2026-4/
We are proud of where we have been, excited about where we are going, and grateful for the community that makes it possible.
Strong schools build a strong community!
We Belong. We Learn. We Inspire Excellence.
We are excited and proud to share that Deer Park School District has been featured nationally by The Education Magazine as one of “The 10 Elite School Districts Shaping Education in 2026.”
There is something special about Deer Park. It’s our students. Our staff. Our families. Our community. It’s the Stag Pride, the small-town spirit, and the way people come together to support our schools and one another.
We don’t do this work for recognition—we do it because we believe deeply in our students and their futures. But when great things are happening, sometimes others take notice!
This national recognition celebrates the work happening throughout our schools and the strong partnership between our district and community. This recognition belongs to all of Deer Park!
We invite you to read the article, share it, and celebrate with us:
🔗 https://www.theeducationmagazine.com/the-10-elite-school-districts-shaping-education-in-2026-4/
We are proud of where we have been, excited about where we are going, and grateful for the community that makes it possible.
Strong schools build a strong community!
We Belong. We Learn. We Inspire Excellence.
Deer Park Home Link’s Outdoor Ed program is always a big hit! Today, Principal Mrs. Hausman, Principal Mr. Abrams, and Superintendent Alexa Allman stopped by to see all the fun activities our students are participating in.
Outdoor Ed is a great hands-on learning opportunity for our Home Link students, and it’s wonderful to see them learning, exploring, and having fun!
#DeerParkSchools #HomeLink #OutdoorEd
Yesterday, at both Deer Park and Clayton Home Link campuses, students, staff, and parents gathered in the morning to honor and remember the tragic event of 9/11, 25 years ago. Thank you to the members of our local fire department who joined us and helped raise and lower our flags, ensuring we never forget.
#DeerParkSchools #HomeLink #NeverForget
#DeerParkSchools #HomeLink #NeverForget
🌟 Introducing Deer Park School District’s Profile of a Graduate!
Last spring, students, staff, families, and community members came together to identify the skills, mindsets, and characteristics we want every Deer Park student to develop as they prepare for life beyond our schools. The result is our Profile of a Graduate—a shared vision for helping students become successful learners, leaders, and community members.
Throughout the year, we’ll highlight one characteristic and invite our schools and families to help students recognize and strengthen these qualities in themselves.
Our September Profile of a Graduate characteristic is:
⭐ Confident, Independent & Self-Reliant
We want our students to develop the confidence to make thoughtful decisions, take initiative, trust their judgment, embrace a growth mindset, and take responsibility for what they need to succeed.
From our youngest learners to our graduating seniors, we are preparing students not only for what comes next—but to believe in their ability to navigate it.
We Belong. We Learn. We Inspire Excellence. 💛💙
#DeerParkSchools #ProfileOfAGraduate #WeBelongWeLearnWeInspireExcellence #DeerParkProud
Last spring, students, staff, families, and community members came together to identify the skills, mindsets, and characteristics we want every Deer Park student to develop as they prepare for life beyond our schools. The result is our Profile of a Graduate—a shared vision for helping students become successful learners, leaders, and community members.
Throughout the year, we’ll highlight one characteristic and invite our schools and families to help students recognize and strengthen these qualities in themselves.
Our September Profile of a Graduate characteristic is:
⭐ Confident, Independent & Self-Reliant
We want our students to develop the confidence to make thoughtful decisions, take initiative, trust their judgment, embrace a growth mindset, and take responsibility for what they need to succeed.
From our youngest learners to our graduating seniors, we are preparing students not only for what comes next—but to believe in their ability to navigate it.
We Belong. We Learn. We Inspire Excellence. 💛💙
#DeerParkSchools #ProfileOfAGraduate #WeBelongWeLearnWeInspireExcellence #DeerParkProud
Deer Park Home Link is doing a lot to prepare for the start of classes next week. Yesterday, this included hosting 30 students and their parents to learn about and dig into Schoolinks. With college and career advisor Lisa White from Slingshot and other staff members, families explored the options and opportunities available to students in high school and beyond.
The Deer Park School District Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Caleb Krantz to the School Board. The Board is excited to welcome him to the Board and appreciates his willingness to continue serving our students, staff, families, and the Deer Park community.
Caleb Krantz is a local parent and engineer with a history of involvement within the District since moving to the community in 2010. His daughter graduated in 2023, and his son is a senior at the high school this year. Caleb has served as a CTE advisor and a member of the Facilities Advisory Committee for over 10 years. He has been an active supporter of multiple booster clubs and also a member and president of the Committee to Support Deer Park Schools.
Krantz will officially take the oath of office and be sworn in at the August 24, 2026, School Board meeting. We look forward to having him join the Board and contribute to the important work of supporting our schools and students.
Caleb Krantz is a local parent and engineer with a history of involvement within the District since moving to the community in 2010. His daughter graduated in 2023, and his son is a senior at the high school this year. Caleb has served as a CTE advisor and a member of the Facilities Advisory Committee for over 10 years. He has been an active supporter of multiple booster clubs and also a member and president of the Committee to Support Deer Park Schools.
Krantz will officially take the oath of office and be sworn in at the August 24, 2026, School Board meeting. We look forward to having him join the Board and contribute to the important work of supporting our schools and students.
Schools are open for business, and educators across the schools, pre-K-12, are engaged in professional learning! DPSD is committed to working collaboratively in ongoing processes of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for our students. We share a common goal: to ensure high levels of learning for all students! Our educators are demonstrating a desire and commitment to helping all students learn by working collaboratively to ensure success for all students. Way to go, educators! We are getting inspired to launch an awesome year for students!
Deer Park School District follows the Department of Health guidelines for air quality. See the Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality guidelines: https://5il.co/3p67p
The Deer Park School District Board of Directors is seeking to fill an open position. Residents of the school district may apply to fill the unexpired term ending December 2027. Applicants interested in serving must reside in the Deer Park School District #414. The Deer Park School District map is available on the website: www.dpsd.org.
The vacancy on the five-member board will be filled through an application and selection process per Washington State Law. The remaining School Board members will review materials and will conduct an interview with the applicants in an open public meeting. All citizens are invited to nominate candidates for the position, provided that the nominees will be eligible registered voters who reside in the Director district. Deer Park residents who are interested in the vacant seat must submit a letter of interest and resume to: Alexa Allman, alexa.allman@dpsdmail.org or 509-464-5507. Applications are due by July 15, 2026, at 4:00 pm.
A letter of interest must include answers to the following questions:
1. What experiences, talents, skills, and/or knowledge do you bring to the School Board that you would like to highlight?
2. Given what you know of the community of Deer Park and the Deer Park School District, what do you believe one or two of the Board’s primary priorities should be for the next couple of years?
Materials should be delivered to:
Alexa Allman
Deer Park School District
PO Box 490
Deer Park, WA 99006
For more information or to verify your residency in the Deer Park School District, please contact Joanne Greer, joanne.greer@dpsdmail.org or 509-464-5517.
The vacancy on the five-member board will be filled through an application and selection process per Washington State Law. The remaining School Board members will review materials and will conduct an interview with the applicants in an open public meeting. All citizens are invited to nominate candidates for the position, provided that the nominees will be eligible registered voters who reside in the Director district. Deer Park residents who are interested in the vacant seat must submit a letter of interest and resume to: Alexa Allman, alexa.allman@dpsdmail.org or 509-464-5507. Applications are due by July 15, 2026, at 4:00 pm.
A letter of interest must include answers to the following questions:
1. What experiences, talents, skills, and/or knowledge do you bring to the School Board that you would like to highlight?
2. Given what you know of the community of Deer Park and the Deer Park School District, what do you believe one or two of the Board’s primary priorities should be for the next couple of years?
Materials should be delivered to:
Alexa Allman
Deer Park School District
PO Box 490
Deer Park, WA 99006
For more information or to verify your residency in the Deer Park School District, please contact Joanne Greer, joanne.greer@dpsdmail.org or 509-464-5517.
With academic classes finished for Deer Park Home Link, here are some highlights from the final week of school.
Students in Ms. Krug-Hanson's biology class completed their year with a hands-on shark dissection for their final assignment. As another fun end-of-year activity, students at the Clayton campus got to hang out on some local tractors.
It was a wonderful week of hands-on learning and fun to wrap up the academic year. Way to go, Home Link students!
#DeerParkHomeLink #DeerParkSchools #HandsOnLearning #ClassroomHighlights
Students in Ms. Krug-Hanson's biology class completed their year with a hands-on shark dissection for their final assignment. As another fun end-of-year activity, students at the Clayton campus got to hang out on some local tractors.
It was a wonderful week of hands-on learning and fun to wrap up the academic year. Way to go, Home Link students!
#DeerParkHomeLink #DeerParkSchools #HandsOnLearning #ClassroomHighlights
Deer Park Home Link presents The Wizard of Oz on May 1st and 2nd at the Ken Fisher Performing Arts Theatre.
• Showtimes: 3:30 PM & 6:30 PM
• Tickets are required for evening performances.
For information, please contact Home Link at 509 468 3350.
We look forward to seeing you there!
#DeerParkHomeLink #WizardofOz #MusicalTheatre
How do we ensure ALL DPSD students are ready and successful for college, career, and life? 🎓Educators, leaders, community members, and even a recent graduate came together to answer that exact question.
Using community feedback, research, and our district’s strategic priorities, this team worked collaboratively to define the skills and characteristics our students need to be ready for their future.
We want all DPSD students to be:
- Confident, independent, and self-reliant
- Critical thinkers & problem solvers
- Personally and socially accountable
- Effective communicators
- Flexible and adaptable
- Contributing members to society and the community
We’re grateful for the voices, perspectives, and passion that made this work possible. This is how strong communities build strong future-ready students in Deer Park. 💙
#DPSD #ProfileOfAGraduate #FutureReady #CommunityDriven
Using community feedback, research, and our district’s strategic priorities, this team worked collaboratively to define the skills and characteristics our students need to be ready for their future.
We want all DPSD students to be:
- Confident, independent, and self-reliant
- Critical thinkers & problem solvers
- Personally and socially accountable
- Effective communicators
- Flexible and adaptable
- Contributing members to society and the community
We’re grateful for the voices, perspectives, and passion that made this work possible. This is how strong communities build strong future-ready students in Deer Park. 💙
#DPSD #ProfileOfAGraduate #FutureReady #CommunityDriven
Our Home Link students are making the most of their final classes before spring break!
In Ms. Lentz's "Everyday Art" class, students were mixing, stretching, and experimenting as they created their own slime.
Meanwhile, in Ms. Hubbard's "Nail Tech" class, students were fully focused as they brought their ideas to life with custom-designed nails for their upcoming competition.
We love seeing our students engaged, creative, and excited about learning. Home Link classes will continue as normal through Thursday, and we wish everyone a fun and restful spring break next week!
#HomeLink #Creativity #SpringBreak
In Ms. Lentz's "Everyday Art" class, students were mixing, stretching, and experimenting as they created their own slime.
Meanwhile, in Ms. Hubbard's "Nail Tech" class, students were fully focused as they brought their ideas to life with custom-designed nails for their upcoming competition.
We love seeing our students engaged, creative, and excited about learning. Home Link classes will continue as normal through Thursday, and we wish everyone a fun and restful spring break next week!
#HomeLink #Creativity #SpringBreak
It was Spirit Week this past week for Home Link. For "Favorite Storybook Character Day," Colleen and Donelle embrace the role of Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss, complete with homemade wigs!
In "Crafts from around the World," Mrs. Moss is teaching her students about Mexico as they create and stuff their own piñatas, with full intent on destroying them soon. What fun!
#HomeLink #DeerPark #SpiritWeek #WorldCrafts
In "Crafts from around the World," Mrs. Moss is teaching her students about Mexico as they create and stuff their own piñatas, with full intent on destroying them soon. What fun!
#HomeLink #DeerPark #SpiritWeek #WorldCrafts
Our very own, Aubrey Longly, was sponsored by Representative Andrew Engell in Olympia for a week through the Page program. We are so proud of Aubrey, and thank you to Representative Engell for hosting her! To watch Aubrey in action, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/iGt8A1NAU2Y. To learn more about the WA state legislature's Page Program, https://leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate/civic-education-programs/page-program/.
Last Friday, Home Link students and parents had a fantastic time at their annual Skate Night at Pattison's North Skating Park. Such a fun evening of laughter, connection, and community!
In dance class, Ezra is learning to sway his muleta for this spring’s recital, where the other dancers will be the bulls. It’s going to be a blast!
#HomeLink #Highlights #CommunityFun
Congratulations to all of our wrestlers at state! Go Stags! The following students placed at State this weekend:
Boys:
Emmitt Priddy - 2nd
Solomon Slind - 8th
Girls:
Hailee Orgill - 2nd
Evelyn Scott - 6th
We are grateful that our community continues to support youth activities and athletics. Athletics such as wrestling are supported by local levy dollars (EP & O levy). Thank you, Deer Park!
Boys:
Emmitt Priddy - 2nd
Solomon Slind - 8th
Girls:
Hailee Orgill - 2nd
Evelyn Scott - 6th
We are grateful that our community continues to support youth activities and athletics. Athletics such as wrestling are supported by local levy dollars (EP & O levy). Thank you, Deer Park!
Home Link celebrated the 2nd annual STEAM Night (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). An estimated 450 attended this event. Many thanks to the nearly 70 volunteers who made this event possible!
Congratulations to Deer Park wrestler Solomon Slind as Deer Park's 2A district wrestling champ! Solomon is an avid wrestler and Home Link student. Wishing you best of luck at state Solomon!
Good news highlights for this week from HomeLink!
Mrs. Darla's Ballet class is preparing and practicing "Autumn Moon" for their upcoming spring show. Dancers are focused and excited to share their hard work on stage.
#HomeLink #DPSD #Dance
Mrs. Darla's Ballet class is preparing and practicing "Autumn Moon" for their upcoming spring show. Dancers are focused and excited to share their hard work on stage.
#HomeLink #DPSD #Dance
