White Pass School District


The White Pass School District is a school located in East Lewis County, Washington. It serves the communities of Packwood, Randle, and Glenoma which are located along US Highway 12. The district currently has a student population of around 500 students. The district and schools are named after the mountain pass over the crest of the Cascade Mountains, located at the east end of the district.

Schools

Current school buildings

Since 2010, White Pass High School has joined all its athletic programs with neighboring Morton High School in the WIAA 2B classification as the Morton/White Pass Timberwolves. Prior to 2009, White Pass competed independently in the 2B/1A classifications as the White Pass Panthers.
The Morton/White Pass Timberwolves compete in interscholastic competitions throughout the school year, including
Fall Sports
Winter Sports
Spring Sports
Academic
Due to loss of timber industry and Forest Service jobs, the school-age population of the entire White Pass School district has declined significantly from its high in the 1970s, especially from the mid-1990s-2000s. By 2004, the Packwood and Glenoma Elementary Schools' K-6 enrollments dropped to around 50 students each, resulting in the closure of the Packwood and Glenoma schools. Since 2004, all students in the district are now taught at the Elementary/High School campus in Randle.

Construction

In 2009, construction began on a new high school as a replacement for the aging cinder block building. Construction was completed on the new high school in summer, 2010, and junior high and high school classes and athletics occupied the new facility beginning Fall, 2010. Thereafter, a complete gutting and remodel of the old elementary school began, with elementary classes occupying the old high school building for the 2010-2011 school year.
Currently the Elementary School resides next to the present Jr/Sr High School and district offices. Due to rising attendance in the Junior High grades, the district may be looking into various ways to reduce class size and improve mobility within the school for junior high and high school students alike.

Notable alumni