Home of the "Cheetahs"
- Kent School District Mission Statement
- Cedar Valley Mission Statement
- Description of Our School
- Facility
- Location
Kent School District Mission Statement
Successfully Prepare All Students For Their Future
Cedar Valley Mission Statement
It is the mission of Cedar Valley Elementary to teach students the skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to become contributing members of society.
Description of Our School
Cedar Valley Elementary was constructed during the 1969-1970 school year and was dedicated in 1970. The school was designed as an open-concept school with three large areas divided into six classrooms each, and one area split between two kindergarten rooms and two classrooms. Additional walls have been constructed to provide an environment conducive to learning, while still allowing for team teaching and peer interaction.** Last year (2006) our school underwent construction. The walls and doors project that was funded by the passage of the last Kent Bond Issue, was completed prior to the start of school. Cedar Valley now has enclosed classrooms and is up to the standard set by the State Fire Marshall. Not only is Cedar Valley safer but it is also much more quiet and conducive to student learning.
The school's library is designed and located in the center of the building for easy access from each of the groves. A gymnasium, stage, and general music room are located for ease of movement between these three areas. A wide overhang and two large covered play areas extending from the building were designed into the building for recess during inclement weather.
The program of the school was designed to accommodate kindergarten through sixth grade with an emphasis on team teaching. The program offerings center around the development of language, mathematics, science, health, and social studies.
The staff, student body, and the community have had the opportunity to use the building and grounds during after-school hours. The general music classes produce evenings of choral presentations and musicals. The Kent Parks Department has scheduled both the gymnasium and the fields for sports activities. Men's basketball, as well as the Parent Teachers Association (PTA), have scheduled the building after hours. Various groups have used the building an average of 360 hours per year.
Between 1996 and 1998 a self-study was carried out resulting in the issuing of state accreditation. The study also provided information for the community and staff to prepare goals in the areas of instructional programs, materials & resources, student services, and school climate.
Facility
The building was constructed in 1970 and has served kindergarten through sixth grades throughout its history. The facility includes a central building (which includes a large library, a gym and a music room), flex-space (named The Cheetah Den), one portable classroom, and one computer lab located in a portable. The central facility houses support areas for the nurse, counselor, literacy specialist, speech language pathologist, custodial staff, and principal/office staff.The building design is based on the open-concept principle. Since its construction, additional walls have been installed providing visual barriers, however, grade levels and teams are still able to plan and communicate with each other often, as a benefit of the openness of the building.
Location
Cedar Valley is located in the growing, suburban community of Covington, just east of Kent, approximately thirty-five miles southeast of Seattle, Washington and twenty-five miles northeast of Tacoma. The school district encompasses seventy-three square miles.The Kent School District serves various named areas of King County, as well as the city of Kent. The newly formed city of Covington has a business center two miles from Cedar Valley Elementary. The businesses represented are service oriented with grocery, fast food, medical, appliance/repair facilities and others. There has been significant growth in both business and housing areas in the past few ;years. The location of the major business base for employment is in the Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Seattle, and Tacoma areas. Commuting to these areas is an essential task of the general population. Limited public transportation is available to the residents of the area.
The Kent School District has grown at a steady rate of approximately 3% per year for the last six years, and is expected to continue growing for at lease another five years.
There are four Kent senior high schools, seven junior high and thirty elementary schools. Cedar Valley Elementary feeds into Cedar Heights Junior High and Kentlake Senior High School. Kent is currently the fourth largest district in Washington, with a student population of nearly 27,000.