A school can tell you a lot about a community. For Cedar Ridge Estates, Conway School is part of the everyday connection between our neighborhood and the wider Conway area. It is close to home, serves children through their elementary and middle school years, and gives families plenty to appreciate, from outdoor learning to the arts.
There is a personal connection, too. Cedar Ridge Estates neighborhood meetings are sometimes held at the school, and CRE neighbors have been teachers there. That shared history makes Conway School a familiar part of neighborhood life.
Conway School at a glance
- Grades: Kindergarten through eighth grade, plus the Conway Early Learning Program for preschool children
- Address: 19710 State Route 534, Mount Vernon, WA 98274
- Distance from CRE: Approximately 1.4 miles by road from Estate Drive at SR 534
- Enrollment: 434 students in OSPI's 2025–26 final report, including 20 preschool students and 414 in K–8
- School office: 360-445-5785
A short trip down SR 534
From the Cedar Ridge Estates entrance at Estate Drive, the drive to Conway School is approximately 1.4 miles west along SR 534, followed by the short school access road. That distance starts at the neighborhood entrance; the trip from an individual home will also include its route through CRE.
Having school nearby is a practical advantage for classroom visits, school events and the occasional forgotten backpack. Families should allow extra time around arrival and dismissal, when school traffic can make a short drive take longer. View the driving route from the CRE entrance to Conway School.
A K–8 school with room to grow
Conway's kindergarten-through-eighth-grade structure is one of its appealing features. Children can spend their elementary and middle school years in the same school community, while families have time to build relationships with staff and other parents.
Its scale is easy to put in perspective: the 2025–26 OSPI enrollment report lists 434 students across preschool through eighth grade. Of those, 414 were in K–8. That is a useful picture of the size of the school, although total enrollment does not tell you the size of an individual classroom.
The district also lists a preschool option, the Conway Early Learning Program. Families interested in early learning should ask the office about eligibility, availability and the program's schedule.
Encouraging academic results, with the numbers in context
Conway's 2025–26 state assessment results provide another reason for families to look closely. Across the tested grades, the school's share of students demonstrating consistent grade-level knowledge or above was higher than the statewide figure for the same grade span in English language arts, mathematics and science.
| Subject and grades | Conway | Washington, same grades |
|---|---|---|
| English language arts, 3–8 | 56.7% | 50.9% |
| Mathematics, 3–8 | 57.8% | 44.3% |
| Science, 5 and 8 | 65.1% | 51.8% |
Source: OSPI 2025–26 assessment data. Percentages are among students who took the general assessment: Smarter Balanced for English language arts and math, and WCAS for science. State comparisons combine OSPI's student counts for the same grades. These comparisons do not adjust for differences in student populations.
Participation was high: Conway tested 275 of 279 expected students in English language arts and math, and 86 of 87 in science. These results are encouraging, while also showing that there is more work to do to help every student reach grade-level expectations. Results vary by grade and subject, and a family's conversation with teachers matters alongside any schoolwide average.
Recognition for student growth
Conway also earned a place in the Washington School Recognition Program's 2024–25 honored schools. The state recognized growth for students in one or more racial or ethnic groups and for low-income students.
That is a specific and worthwhile achievement. It highlights progress among student groups and adds another dimension to the assessment snapshot.
Arts, language and opportunities beyond the basics
A look through Conway's program offerings shows a broad range for a small district. The school lists band, music, art, drama and STEAM, along with Spanish for high school credit. Middle school athletics are also part of school life.
Those opportunities give students different ways to discover what interests them. A child who enjoys music, hands-on projects or a new language has something to explore alongside reading, writing and math. Families can ask the school which courses and activities are available in their child's grade.
The district's curriculum overview includes OpenSciEd for K–8 science, iReady assessments in reading and math, and Washington's Since Time Immemorial curriculum on tribal sovereignty. It also describes a regular curriculum-review cycle, giving parents a useful starting point for questions about classroom instruction.
Learning in the North Cascades and on Orcas Island
Outdoor education is a particularly appealing part of Conway's program. The school identifies two experiences in its outdoor camp information:
- Fifth grade: Mountain School. Students visit the Diablo Lake area for an environmental education program offered by North Cascades Institute in partnership with North Cascades National Park.
- Seventh grade: Camp Orkila. This YMCA camp on Orcas Island gives students opportunities to learn about natural and social sciences and environmental conservation in an outdoor setting.
These experiences make good use of the remarkable places within reach of the Skagit Valley. They bring learning into landscapes students can see and explore, while creating shared experiences with classmates.
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Support for different learners
Conway's Highly Capable program serves qualifying students in kindergarten through eighth grade, with accelerated or enhanced learning matched to individual strengths. Parents and guardians can nominate a student for consideration.
The school also lists special education, learning assistance, multilingual learner services and counseling among its student services. For a family considering Conway, asking how those services fit a child's needs is an important part of getting to know the school.
A school connected to Cedar Ridge Estates
For CRE residents, the school connection extends beyond the school day. Holding neighborhood meetings there brings neighbors into a shared community space. Having neighbors who have taught at Conway adds a personal link between the classrooms and the people who call Cedar Ridge Estates home.
Families who want to become involved can explore the Parent Teacher Organization and the school's volunteer opportunities. The district also has a facility-use process for community groups, with school and youth activities receiving priority.
Conway School brings together a convenient location, a K–8 community, encouraging academic results and a range of learning experiences. For families exploring Cedar Ridge Estates, it is well worth getting to know. Start with the district's boundary map, confirm enrollment and transportation details with the school office, and ask about a visit. A conversation with the people who will teach and support your child is the best next step.