Henry Strom

Superintendent, Grandview School District

Bio Current as of March 28, 2022

Henry Strom is in his eleventh year as a Superintendent in the state of Washington. He has been leading the Grandview School District for the last five years and previously served as the superintendent for Mt. Adams School District. Both are located in the heart of the Yakima Valley in the central part of the state. Henry has served students as an elementary teacher, special education director, elementary and secondary principal and central office administrator for nearly 30 years. He has spent his career proudly serving in small to midsized districts with diverse student populations and economic challenges. The Grandview School District has celebrated important data growth. The district enrollment of 3,600 students serves a predominantly Latinx population (92%). Since Henry’s arrival, the district has seen positive data trends including drastically improved attendance and graduation rates. In the 2020-2021 school year, Latinx graduation rates were 96.7 % and the overall graduation rate was 94%. Academics have also been positively impacted. The district has received state and national recognition for dramatically improving math growth percentiles and proficiency rates. Henry has been innovative in bringing parents and community members into classrooms to observe dynamic teaching. This type of strong support system develops and maintains the sincere belief in equity for all students through informing and empowering parents. Growing future school leaders is a passion of Henry’s.

He is actively involved with supporting the professional development of aspiring administrators across the state through Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), the University of Washington and Heritage University. In addition to serving on the state superintendent’s advisory committee, his perspective is valued and requested by colleagues and state leaders. Henry has a heart to mentor and advocate for women and minorities entering school leadership. Henry received the Washington Association of School Administrators Award of Merit for regional leadership contributions in the spring of 2014 and 2019. Recently, two of Grandview’s five schools were recognized by the Washington State Board of Education for Educational Opportunity Gap oversight for Growth and Closing Gaps. The Center for Educational Effectiveness recently identified Grandview’s McClure Elementary as one of the top 31 schools in demonstrating high achievement and improving performance among Black, Latinx, American Indian/Alaskan Native and/or low-income students.

Henry received his superintendent certification from Seattle Pacific University, his master’s degree from City University, and his principal certification and his bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University. He is a proud member of the Yakama nation and a descendent of the Quinault and Nez Perce tribes. Henry and his wife Janet have two daughters, a son and a beautiful granddaughter. They enjoy time with family, the outdoors, cooking and relaxing.