North Mason Schools: Ratings & Programs

North Mason School District serves about 2,800 students across three main school sites: Hawkins Middle School, Sand Hill Elementary, and North Mason High School. If you’re new to Belfair or weighing the district against Shelton or Central Kitsap schools, here’s what you need to know from someone who lives here.

The Schools: What You’ll Find

Sand Hill Elementary (791 NE Sand Hill Rd, Belfair) is the starting point for K-5 students. The building has been through upgrades in recent years, and focuses on early literacy, STEM integration, and arts. Teachers here tend to know families by name. The school holds family engagement events like Future Cougar Night and Fall Fest. After-school care is available through the Theler Wetlands Center.

Hawkins Middle School (1775 NE Hawkins Rd, Belfair) takes students in grades 6-8. This is where band, choir, and electives start. Hawkins runs a strong athletics program with volleyball, basketball, and cross country teams competing across the Olympic League. The school has a technology lab and library that feels like the heart of the building.

North Mason High School (14550 Belfair-Allyn Rd SW, Belfair) sits on a sprawling 60-acre campus. Home of the Bulldogs, NMHS is a full-service high school with nearly 1,100 students. You’ll find college-prep tracks, vocational programs, sports, performing arts, and strong AP offerings. Phil Pugh Stadium hosts Bulldog football and track, and the school is known for quality athletes and musicians.

Enrollment & Recent Changes

The district has faced headwinds. Enrollment dipped from about 3,100 in 2018 to roughly 2,800 today. This decline has forced budget squeezes. In 2026, the district proposed a $5.5 million annual replacement levy for the fourth time in recent years, after voter rejections in November 2025 and February 2026. The levy funds music, athletics, after-school programs, and security staffing.

That said, the district has not cut academic programs. Reading and math scores remain competitive with similar-sized districts in Washington.

Programs & Extracurriculars

North Mason offers sports: football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, and track. Music and arts are strong: band and choir at both Hawkins and NMHS, drama productions, and art classes. Visual arts electives include ceramics, painting, and digital design.

Special education services are available at all three schools, including resource rooms, speech/language pathology, occupational therapy, and counseling.

Academics & Testing

Washington State assessments show North Mason performing near the state average. The district maintains partnerships with Olympic College (Bremerton) and Clover Park Technical College for dual-credit programs. The district offers AP courses in English, U.S. History, Biology, and Calculus at NMHS.

How It Compares

Compared to Shelton (about 25 miles south), North Mason is smaller and more rural. Shelton has more vocational options. Central Kitsap (Silverdale-area district) is larger with more amenities, but significantly pricier real estate. North Mason’s advantage is community. Your kids’ teachers know your family.

The School Board & Parent Voice

The five-member school board meets twice monthly at the district office (14550 Belfair-Allyn Rd SW). Meetings are open to the public. Parent organizations (PTO/PTA) are active at each school.

Getting Involved

New families should attend Future Cougar Night at Sand Hill Elementary each spring. The Theler Wetlands Center also offers after-school care and summer camps. Ask your neighbors about the sports teams and music programs their kids love.