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Mountain View Elementary credits Camp Dudley and staff-led culture for big survey gains
Summary
Mountain View Elementary leaders told the West Valley School District board that an Outdoor Schools Washington grant-funded Camp Dudley trip and schoolwide culture efforts contributed to marked year-over-year increases on a student climate and future-orientation survey (example: 69 to 89).
Mountain View Elementary leaders told the West Valley School District board on Jan. 14 that a fourth year of taking fifth-graders to Camp Dudley and renewed staff-driven culture work have coincided with sizable gains on the school’s student climate and learning-readiness survey.
Principal Clayton (introduced by administrators) and fifth-grade teacher Mary presented photos, curriculum links and student feedback to the board. They said the school’s summative survey score rose from 69 last year to 89 this year, and that Mountain View’s 5th-grade science proficiency (cited in the presentation) was about 80%, compared with a cited district rate of 66% and a state rate of 50%.
"This will be our 4th year of going to Camp Dudley," Mary said, describing an overnight program the school structured to support multiple science and social-studies standards. She walked trustees through eight camp activities — watershed simulation, habitat mapping, tree studies, photosynthesis enactments, cultural-awareness exercises and hands-on outdoor skills — and said teachers intentionally scheduled the state science assessment after camp to allow students to apply those experiences.
School leaders emphasized that the learning gains are not just from a single change. "I don't think that we've done any one magical thing," a presenter said, crediting staff buy-in, greeting routines, counselor-led programming and a persistent focus on "a culture of safety and belonging." Mary added that informal measures — like greeting students at the door and having multiple adults visible — contributed to the climate improvements.
The presenters also described camp logistics and funding. Mary said Camp Dudley activities, food, transportation and substitutes were covered by an Outdoor Schools Washington grant; the school supplemented that support with PTA funds to purchase t-shirts (which the grant prohibited as student souvenirs) and other reusable equipment so the materials could be used again in future years.
Board members praised the presentation and asked how the program would continue. Trustees were told the overnight trip remains a fifth-grade capstone at Mountain View, though some middle-level students have attended in other years. The presentation closed with staff planning a recognition event to share results with the school community.
No board action was required on the presentation; trustees commended staff and moved on to other agenda items.
