Welcome to Columbia Crest Academy 🌲📚, a Preschool-8th grade school nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest! 🌄 Our unique nature-based programming 🌿 allows students to explore, learn, and grow. This page is not monitored for Public Records Requests or Direct Comments towards the School District Board of Directors
CC sits in the foothills of Mount Rainier adjacent to Mt. This location provides immense opportunity to develop hands-on science activities using the surrounding environment. Easy walking access to such areas as Nisqually River, and forest communities provide natural laboratories to engage students in many potential projects. Students learn in an engaging, problem based environment where collaboration and creativity are encouraged and supported. A STEM focused school will teach all subjects, but will approach learning through the lens of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. To be a knowledgeable citizen in today's high-paced, technology driven, complex world, all people must be STEM literate, regardless of whether they are in STEM related professions or not. School History
Education in the upper Nisqually Valley underwent a major change in 1951. Prior to that date, Ashford, Elbe and Alder were each separate school districts. In 1951 these three districts voted to become part of Eatonville School District #404. The town schools were closed and the students moved to the new kindergarten through eighth grade school. It was important to the community that the legacy of the area be incorporated into their new school and the promise of always having a local school be honored. The school, located in the shadow of Mt. Rainier was named Columbia Crest after the highest point on Mt. Student Barbara Barnett suggested the name as part of a naming contest. Duane Rose was the first CC principal. Moving to the new school was a community effort as the parents provided trucks for the move. The gym was not finished so the men of the community secured hardwood and laid the floor themselves. It was the envy of every middle school team that came to play on its surface. Thanks to the diligent guarding of this floor by Principal Lucy Fountain, it remains a source of pride for the school. It was refinished with the center circle being painted by artist and mountaineer, D. Molenaar and lettered by former teacher, Sarah Larson. Athletics were important to the community. The Lions’ Club maintained the baseball fields and provided uniforms for the students. The track was created by students and teachers and the community hauled the surface material. The scoreboard and glass backboards in the gym were purchased by matching PTO dollars and corporate sponsorship. The Rainiers (mascot), wearing their blue and gold uniforms, filled the trophy case with many league championships. All sports except football were offered. Following Principal Rose, Principals have included: Jack Lowry, Richard Jasper, Oberta Bartels, Tom Collins, George Galloway, Robert Schaub, Lucy Fountain, Pam Burke, David Jacobsen, Janna Rush, and Angie Ellenbecker. The current principal is Allison Burslem. Many changes have occurred since 1951. The building became larger as two classrooms, a locker room and stage were added. In 1989 Principal Fountain oversaw a full scale remodel. The domed roof was replaced with a pitched roof and because of increased enrollment three portable classrooms were added. The community wanted a plaza in the front of the school so they collected funds and poured the concrete themselves. In the school year 2000 the student enrollment declined and the sixth and seventh graders were transferred to Eatonville for middle school. The school began to grow again with the addition of the Summit Program for Highly Capable students. In 2013, the school’s innovative programs under the direction of Angie Ellenbecker and Allison Burslem earned the school the STEM designation. The decision was then made to return the seventh and eighth grade to CC and the school would be known as Columbia Crest A-STEM Academy. Community Involvement has always been at the forefront of life at Columbia Crest. As the hub of the geographic area it was where all the community gathered together. Over the years the community has raised thousands of dollars to support extra programs for the students. The school was known for the auctions which always featured original art by local Western Artist, Fred Oldfield. There is an Open Enrollment policy in the Eatonville School District so students come from as far as Packwood and Puyallup to attend this school. Students find many ways to connect to the programs offered and thrive in this very caring and supportive environment. Traditions run deep and former students are always honored throughout the hallways as the pictures of every graduating class are proudly displayed in the “History Lives On” hall. The legacy lives on as “the mountain” looks down from above!
