Northlake Elementary School

Northlake Elementary sits in Longview, a working-class river city in southwest Washington where the Cowlitz meets the Columbia — a community with deep roots in timber and industry that's been steadily finding its footing in a changing economy. The school serves a neighborhood where many families are doing the day-to-day work of raising kids in a modest, tight-knit setting, and it may be a comfortable fit for families who value a smaller-school feel and a staff that knows their students by name. Academics here are developing, so families who want to supplement at home or stay closely involved in their child's learning will likely find that engagement goes a long way.