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About Crescent Harbor Elementary

Where Students Soar

Crescent Harbor Elementary School serves a diverse population that includes students of different races and ethnicities, students who speak primary languages other than English, students who have various disabilities, and students who have lived in many other places throughout the country and world, as well as students and families who’ve lived here all of their lives.

What We Value

Our purpose is to provide quality learning opportunities so that all students can reach their highest academic achievement. 

We believe:

  • Responsibility for education should be a cooperative effort among students, staff, families, and the community involving clear and open communication.
  • Academic success should be measured using a composite of assessment tools and classroom performance.
  • Children learn best in a physically and emotionally safe yet challenging environment.
  • Every individual within the school community should be treated with respect.

Our History

Crescent Harbor Elementary School is located in beautiful Oak Harbor, Washington, the largest incorporated city on Whidbey Island. Oak Harbor is known for the natural beauty of its surrounding area, which includes Deception Pass State Park and is also the hometown of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The city was named by Dr. Richard Lansdale in 1851 after the Garry Oak trees that grew throughout the town in the mid-1800s. He also named the area known as Crescent Harbor after its beautiful, half-moon beach. It was an area known for its abundant wildlife and rich farmland.

William Wallace settled in the Crescent Harbor area through the Donation Land Claim Act which granted acreage to settlers in return for making improvements to the wilderness. William Wallace and his wife Rufinda had the first school at Crescent Harbor built in 1855. It was located on Crescent Harbor Road, about a quarter mile past the water tower. It was used for an assortment of gatherings in the pioneer community as well as for education.

A second Crescent Harbor School was later built at the James’ Farm, where the Taylor and Silver Lake Roads meet. It closed in 1924-25.

Information from the books "North Whidbey Pioneer Schools" (1986) by Joan Gilmore and "Spirit of the Island" (2005) by Peggy Christine Darst was used in compiling this history.

 

Email: cheinfo@ohsd.net

Points of Pride & Distinction:

  • 2013 and 2014 “School of Distinction”—named in the top 5% of improving schools in reading and math achievement for the past five years by the Center for Educational Excellence
  • 2012 “Reward School” – named in the top 10% of Title I schools in Washington State by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
  • 2018-2019 earned WA Green Schools bronze, silver, and gold certifications for sustainability actions.

Special Programs/Activities:

  • Special Education— Resource and Choices 
  • Title I
  • English Language Learners – Traditional Bilingual Education is provided to students who require assistance.
  • Free and Reduced Lunch
  • Intramural sports
  • K-Kids
  • Cub Club—after school homework help for students

Academic Focus/Highlights:

  • Reading fluency
  • Reading comprehension
  • Math comprehension