Back to school in Kent

Published 3:11 pm Thursday, August 29, 2019

Back to school in Kent
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Back to school in Kent
The mascot of the Carriage Crest Elementary School Coyotes greets a student on the first day of school Thursday in the Kent School District. Carriage Crest is in Renton. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
The mascot of the Carriage Crest Elementary School Coyotes poses with students on the first day of school Thursday in the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Cheerleaders show their excitement on the first day of school Thursday at Kentridge High School. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District

Students returned to classes on Thursday as the Kent School District opened its 150th year.

The district has 42 schools and academies, including 28 elementary schools, six middle schools, four high schools, three academies and one early learning center. The district has more than 25,000 students.

A big change for 2019-2020 marked the closing and demolition of the Kent Mountain View campus on the West Hill to make room for a new elementary school scheduled to open in 2021 at 22420 Military Road S.

Kent Mountain View has combined campuses with Kent Phoenix Academy, 11000 SE 264th St., for the next two years until a renovated former Panther Lake Elementary is ready to open in 2021 to accommodate both academies.