Enrollment Growth
Three weeks into the 2025–26 school year, College Place Public Schools has more students learning in refreshed, well-cared-for facilities than at any point in the last five years. Enrollment climbed by 65 students since June, making this the district’s 1521 students its largest fall enrollment since 2020. Sager Middle School set a record with 397 students. Even with this growth, students in College Place continue to benefit from unusually low student-to-teacher ratios of 17 to 1 in elementary grades and 18 to 1 in secondary schools.
Behind these numbers is a community-supported story of growth and stewardship. CPPS’ vision of a ‘small school feel, larger than life outcomes’ reflects the pride families feel in sending their children here.
Students Taking Big Steps Forward
At College Place High School, an emphasis on College in the High School courses has led to an increase in participation. More students are earning college credit while completing high school requirements through partnerships with Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University. For many, the experience has already helped them see new possibilities for their futures.
Students also began the year with new spaces designed to support their learning. CPHS opened its Career and College Readiness Center “The Perch”, which has quickly become a hub for planning next steps beyond high school. At Sager, students are finding their way in the newly completed library; which will quickly become the heart of the school for curiosity and exploration.
Taking Care of Our Facilities
Work completed in recent months has already made a visible difference across the district.
Elementary Upgrades: At Davis Elementary, a large portion of the school’s interior walls were painted and a new drain at the K–1 playground to solve water issues, giving children a more usable space. Fresh bark across campus grounds added to the welcoming feel.
Transportation Improvements: Two new electric buses rolled into service this fall, powered by newly installed charging stations. Both the buses and infrastructure were fully funded through state and federal grants.
Districtwide Pride: Across the district, gym floors gleam thanks to refinishing work done by custodial staff, a cost-saving project that showcased both pride and skill.
Physical Education Facilities: CPHS outdoor activity spaces received upgrades designed to improve safety and broaden use for students and the community. New windscreens enhance both appearance and protection at the football, baseball, and softball areas, while refinished tennis courts, now striped for pickleball, support PE classes, after-school programs, and community recreation. The CPPS Fieldhouse Project is also moving forward, with groundbreaking expected in November, creating additional space for year-round physical education, indoor educational space, and student wellness activities.
Living the Vision
Superintendent Jim Fry reflected on the importance of pairing growth with care.
“We are continuing to take great care of the facilities that our community provides for us,” Fry said. “We will not allow our schools to get run down and out of date. This ensures that we can provide our students with top notch experiences.”
A Community Effort
The progress of the past two weeks underscores how deeply the community’s support shapes the district’s success. Local community tax dollars and state funding paired with grant opportunities, allowed CPPS to open the year with facilities that look and feel ready for growth.
A Note of Thanks
Now that the school year is underway, it’s clear: our facilities and students are well cared for and the community deserves the credit.
College Place Public Schools begins the year larger, stronger, and deeply grateful for the community that makes it possible.