Welcome to the Hood River County Education Foundation

"Students at Westside were able to use new books in reading instruction that helped them to not only increase their reading scores, but also helped them become more fluent readers. They use the books to work on phonics skills like reading short vowels and long, reading blends, along with consonant sounds. The students improved their oral reading skills and made great growth in their reading abilities. Every student in our kindergarten made growth this year in reading and we are proud of all the words they can read now."

Through hands-on lessons in the classroom and outdoors, students learn about ecology, local plants and wildlife, and the natural connections in their own backyard. SECRETS is a co-curricular program offered by the Gorge Discovery Center, and an HRCEF support ensure every 5th grade student experiences this unique learning opportunity.

"The musical each year unites students of all ages and from different back grounds and skill sets to create a group project of a full musical. Students design and create sets. They also have a chance to be leaders in the process of student directing. Students can choose to be on the acting or technology crew and the process lasts most of the school year. This year we [added] tap dance and choreography to the production process. We hosted three elementary schools and students were excited to watch and extremely engaged as they asked questions at the end of each show. We also performed four other shows for the community in both evening and afternoon matinees. The feedback was also extremely positive and each night students received standing ovations. … The tap shoes and skills will continue to be used in our after school program and in upcoming musicals at Wyeast Middle School and our high school."