Knight Vision

September 1, 2026

 

Welcome Back

Welcome to a New School Year!

It is such an honor and a joy to welcome you to a new school year—and to my first year as your superintendent!

From the moment I joined the East Valley School District community, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm you have shared with me. Thank you for the incredible welcome. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join such an amazing district and to work alongside dedicated educators, students, families, and community members who care so deeply about the success of our schools.

As we begin this new school year, I am filled with excitement and optimism about all that is ahead. A new school year brings fresh possibilities, new connections, and countless opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and thrive. I look forward to getting to know more of you, making plans for our future, listening and learning together, and celebrating the many wonderful things happening across East Valley.

I am honored to be part of this incredible community, and I cannot wait to see what we will accomplish together. I am excited to be a part of a place where We Belong, We Believe, We Learn, and We are Future Ready.  I am grateful to be on this journey with all of you.

Here’s to an amazing school year filled with learning, laughter, connection, and success!

With gratitude and excitement,

Dr. Mandi Rehn
Superintendent

 

Making Progress, Making a Difference

There is so much to celebrate across East Valley School District. From strong academic growth in our elementary schools to record-breaking graduation and FAFSA completion rates at East Valley High School, our students and staff are making tremendous progress.

At East Valley High School, the graduation rate has reached an all-time high of 91.4%. This is an incredible accomplishment and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families. The EVHS team also set an ambitious goal of reaching a 65% FAFSA completion rate to help students access financial aid opportunities—and they finished the year at more than 70%!

These achievements demonstrate our continued commitment to preparing students for success beyond high school and supporting them to be future ready.

We are also seeing exciting academic growth across our elementary grades. From 2025 to 2026, the percentage of kindergarten students performing at or near grade level increased significantly:

Reading: 76% in 2025 → 83% in 2026
Math: 56% in 2025 → 86% in 2026

We also saw growth in science achievement, with the percentage of students performing at or above grade level increasing from 35% in 2025 to 45% in 2026.

These results represent more than numbers—they represent students learning, growing, and building strong foundations for their future. We are proud of the dedication of our educators, the perseverance of our students, and the partnership of our families.

Together, we are celebrating progress and continuing to build a strong future for every student in East Valley!

 
 

Free School Meals Continue Through 2030-31

East Valley is proud to announce that we will operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) through the 2030-2031 school year. This means all students will receive one free breakfast and lunch per day.  Completing the Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit (CNEEB) application may help students with reduced fees for testing, ASB, Running Start, SUN Bucks benefits and provide additional school funding.  Applications were mailed to households or your school has copies to provide if you didn't receive one. Please reach out to the Nutrition Services Department with any questions regarding meals and meal benefits.

 
 

East Valley School District and East Valley High School are excited to announce the creation of another learning option for high school students. East Valley Academy, an alternative learning program housed within East Valley High School, offers a unique blend of project based learning, flexible scheduling, and asynchronous learning opportunities for students seeking a different high school experience. Although East Valley has long offered other alternative learning options in East Valley Parent Partnership and East Valley Online, it was clear that some students were seeking an option that blended in-person instruction and academic support with online learning options.

Marcy Williams, a longtime East Valley educator and Gem of the Valley recipient, had retired from teaching in 2024, but has returned as the teacher of the East Valley Academy. When asked about East Valley Academy, she said, “A program like this is long overdue. I feel this is a very positive step for EV to help students who need something a little different than the traditional brick and mortar. We already have 20 students signed up, and the students have been very excited about this program.”

Students in the program attend school two days a week for three hours each day. During that time they work on a cross-credited project that blends English, science, and social studies standards and will earn credits in those subjects. Additionally, students engage in community building and receive academic support for online courses to round out their academic experience.

Dillon, a sophomore who signed up for EV Academy, said that he chose EV Academy because, “Last year I was involved in some things and I am trying to get away from those things. I feel like this will help me succeed in a different way.” He continued, “A schedule like this will allow me to work in my construction job during the times I am not in school.” He is considering a career in construction although he said, “I had never imagined myself in construction, but now I am looking into it.”

 

Changes Ahead for Transportation Routes

We want to make our families aware that transportation routes and schedules will be changing this year as we work to improve overall efficiency and better serve students across the East Valley School District. Like many school districts, we continue to experience a shortage of qualified school bus drivers. Because of this, our transportation team is designing routes that are safe, equitable, and more efficient, ensuring we can reach as many students and neighborhoods as possible with the staff and resources available.

These adjustments may look different from previous years, and some families may see changes in pick‑up or drop‑off times. The changes will go into effect in early October. If your student is affected, you will be notified by the transportation department.

We truly appreciate your patience, flexibility, and partnership as we refine our system and work toward a more reliable and consistent transportation experience for all students.

 

Get Moving, Get Involved, Get in the Game!

East Valley School District is excited to bring back the elementary sports program for the 2026–27 school year! We invite every 5th and 6th grade student to get involved, try a new sport, make friends, and experience the fun of being part of a team.

The program runs throughout the school year, with practices and games generally held from 3:30–4:30 pm.

This Year’s Sports Schedule

  • Season 1: August 31–September 6 — Baseball & Softball
  • Season 2: September 21–October 7 — Cross Country
  • Season 3: November 30–December 16 — Girls Basketball
  • Season 4: January 11–January 27 — Boys Basketball
  • Season 5: March 1–March 18 — Girls & Boys Wrestling
  • Season 6: April 19–May 5 — Girls Volleyball
  • Season 7: May 10–May 26 — Boys & Girls Flag Football

Your child does not need to have previous sports experience to participate. Whether they have played for years or have never been on a team before, this program is designed to give every student an opportunity to show up, try, learn, and grow.

Elementary sports are about much more than competition. Students develop confidence by trying new things and discovering what they can accomplish. They learn how to communicate, support teammates, handle challenges, persevere through setbacks, and celebrate successes together.

These are skills that extend far beyond the playing field—they can help students in the classroom, in their friendships, and throughout their lives.

We are proud that East Valley continues to provide elementary sports opportunities for our youngest athletes, and we are grateful for the district's support in making this program possible.

Families, if your 5th or 6th grader has been thinking about joining a team, encourage them to give it a try! We want to see as many students as possible out there this year.

For registration information, please contact your child's school office.

Let's get our students in the game!

 
 

Capital Levy

This November, East Valley School District voters will consider a replacement capital levy to continue funding important safety, security, infrastructure, and technology needs across the District.

An important point for staff and community members to understand is that this is a replacement levy. The District’s current four-year Capital Projects Fund Levy expires at the end of 2026. The proposed measure would replace that expiring levy with a new two-year Capital Projects Fund Levy for collections in 2027 and 2028.

If approved, levy funds would support projects throughout the District, including safety and security improvements, roof replacements and repairs, communication systems, technology, parking and traffic improvements, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and electrical systems.

The proposed levy would collect approximately $6.79 million in 2027 and $7 million in 2028, with an estimated levy rate of $0.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value in each year.

The replacement capital levy will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 

 

We are looking for bus drivers to join our transportation team! We are currently experiencing a driver shortage and are seeking dependable, safety-focused individuals who want to make a difference in our schools and community.

Our bus drivers play an important role in each student’s day by providing safe, reliable transportation and creating a positive experience on the way to and from school.

Whether you're looking for a full-time position, part-time hours, or an opportunity to substitute, we encourage you to apply!

Why Join East Valley?

  • Flexible hours
  • Full-time, part-time, and substitute opportunities
  • School breaks off

Join the East Valley team and help us keep our students moving! 

 
East Valley Employment Opportunities
 

Third Annual Community Thanksgiving

East Valley is excited to bring the community together for the Third Annual Community Thanksgiving on Monday, November 23, from 4:30 to 7 pm at East Valley High School.

This free community event is an opportunity for families, students, staff, and community members to come together and enjoy an evening filled with music, food, and fun while celebrating the Thanksgiving season.

During the event, attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the Community Pantry, where free hygiene and pantry items will be available to those who need them.

The Community Thanksgiving will be held at East Valley High School, 15711 E. Wellesley Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99216.

This special event is made possible through generous donations from within the East Valley community and surrounding areas. We hope to see our East Valley families and community members there for an evening of food, fun, and community connection!

 
 

November 23, 2026
4:30 - 7 pm

EVHS
15711 E Wellesley Ave

 

We Belong - We Believe - We Learn - Together, We are East Valley!

In East Valley, we create a culture of academic excellence by fostering an inclusive community where each student belongs, thrives, and is future-ready.

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East Valley School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination; Title IX Compliance Coordinator: Jane Stencel, Phone: (509) 924-1830, stencelj@evsd.org; ADA/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Jane Stencel, Phone: (509) 924-1830, stencelj@evsd.org; Section 504 Coordinator: Heather Prosser, Phone: (509) 924-1830, prosserh@evsd.org, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Mandi Rehn, Phone: (509) 924-1830, rehnm@evsd.org, 3830 N. Sullivan Rd, Bldg. 1, Spokane Valley, WA 99216.