Kennewick School District

Full circle moment. 💙🎓

Today, seniors from across the district walked the halls of their former elementary schools in caps and gowns, celebrating their accomplishments while showing younger students what's possible. It's one of our favorite traditions, and one we know our seniors will remember for years to come.

Graduation is just a few days away! 🎓 Livestream links, ceremony programs and graduation information can be found at www.KSD.org/graduation.

📅 Graduation Schedule:

Thursday, June 4 | HAPO Center
• Delta High School — 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 5 | Three Rivers Convention Center • Mid-Columbia Partnership — 1:30 p.m.
• Legacy High School — 3:30 p.m.
• Endeavor High School — 5:00 p.m.
• Phoenix High School — 6:30 p.m.

Saturday. June 6 | Toyota Center
• Kennewick High School — 9:00 a.m.
• Kamiakin High School — 1:00 p.m.
• Southridge High School — 5:00 p.m.

Get ready to celebrate the Class of 2026! 🎉

Graduation day is almost here, but first, let's rewind and take a look at how far these seniors have come.🎬

Thank you to all the families who sent in photos. Submissions are now closed, and we’re excited to celebrate with the Class of 2026 this weekend!

There’s two new Ben Franklin Transit buses rolling through town, and eight KSD students have their artwork featured on the side!

This year’s theme was “Who Is Your Hero?” Students drew inspiration from the people they admire most, including family members, firefighters, doctors, bus drivers, teachers and more.

Check out their colorful creations below, and keep an eye out for the bus around town! If you get a chance to step aboard, you'll find even more incredible student artwork lining the interior walls.

Congratulations to Claire, Gunner, Angelina, Casie, Nicole, Benjamin and Lily from Kamiakin High School, and Haven from Southridge High School, on this exciting accomplishment. 🚌🎨

2026-27 Leadership Announcement 📣

Kennewick School District is pleased to announce the selection of Rose Santoy Gilliam as the new principal of Highlands Middle School. She will officially take over the position starting July 1, 2026.

Gilliam brings 18 years of experience in education to the role, including nine years as an assistant principal at the middle and high school level. She currently serves as assistant principal at Sageview High School in Pasco.

Prior to this role, she served as assistant principal at Chiawana High School and Stevens Middle School in Pasco, Wash., and Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, Calif. Her educational career began as an English language arts teacher and AVID coordinator among other instructional support positions in California and Pasco, Wash.

“Ms. Santoy Gilliam is a student-centered leader who understands the importance of creating a safe, supportive environment where every student can thrive,” said Rhonda Pratt, director of elementary education. “Her experience and commitment to helping students reach their highest potential make her an excellent fit for Highlands Middle School.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and teaching certificate from Washington State University, and a master’s degree in teaching from Grand Canyon University.

📚 Early literacy unlocks the door to a future of learning, and it starts with people who care.

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to our 120 Team Read volunteers who spent the past year reading and learning alongside 461 KSD students. Because of them, hundreds of children are entering the next school year more confident, more capable and more in love with reading.

We were honored to celebrate with them at the annual Team Read volunteer appreciation event. Thank you to Team Read and The Children's Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia for their continued investment in our students! ❤️