Hoover Elementary showcases student growth, secures playground funding and honors Principal Julio Sanchez

Hoover Elementary staff, students and parents presented evidence of rising student proficiency and described an expanding set of community partnerships that have helped the school overcome resource limits, the Yakima School Board heard Feb. 3.

Principal Julio Sanchez opened the school’s presentation and repeatedly framed the work as collective: “This is about us,” he said, thanking staff, families and community partners. The presentation included proficiency and growth data, a summary of partnerships and recent grants, and a short student-led tour of classrooms and displays.

The presentation matters because Hoover has faced facility and resource constraints while trying to close post‑COVID learning gaps. School leaders told the board they are using parent engagement, targeted teacher collaboration and outside partners to raise academic outcomes and support students’ social and emotional needs.

Sanchez told the board the school tracks both proficiency and growth. He said a single cohort showed gains of about 18 percent in reading proficiency and about 15 percent in math over the period the school followed that group; he also highlighted upward trends in science. “We’re heading in the right direction,” Sanchez told the board while walking through cohort and averaged proficiency charts. He warned Hoover is not yet where it needs to be, but emphasized steady improvement.

Staff and parents described how that direction is being supported in practice. STEAM specialist Mr. McCracken said Sanchez often tells staff, “I have an opportunity for you,” and recalled the principal arranging a two‑day Pacific Science Center visit after scheduling challenges. The school’s registrar, Marlon Escalera, and teachers Daniel Osborne and Mr. Lopez credited Sanchez with improving school culture, securing staffing and pressing for facilities upgrades such as a new playground and soccer pitch. A special‑education teacher, identified in the presentation as part of the SST team, said Sanchez responds quickly when staff radio for help and advocates for students in challenging situations.

Sanchez listed quantifiable supports the school has drawn on: more than 50 community partnerships, more than $150,000 in monetary donations to Hoover over the past three years, a recent $25,000 commitment from the Echo Valley Community Foundation to fully fund a playground project, and a $64,000 grant for Outdoor Kids of Washington to support hands‑on outdoor science experiences. He also said Hoover exceeded district planning‑time expectations by scheduling 300 minutes for teacher planning each week instead of the 270 minutes standard to reserve 30 minutes of collaborative time.

Student speakers described personal experiences they said improved their sense of safety and belonging. Fifth‑grader Milo Galindo said that when he experienced bullying, school staff acted to resolve the situation and he later became friends with the other student; another student, Camila Herrera, described Sanchez as “always positive and motivational.”

Board members commended the presentation and the turnout of staff, parents and students. Superintendent Dr. Green and several board members thanked Hoover’s community for hosting the meeting and praised examples such as student voice circles and the school’s parent academy work with district and university partners.

The board took a brief tour of classrooms and displays after the presentation before returning to the regular agenda.

Principal Julio Sanchez and school staff provided the charts, examples and grant notices shown to the board during the presentation. Board members did not take formal action on the Hoover presentation itself; they noted the school’s progress and thanked staff and families.