6.8 avg / 10

Best Schools in Kelso, Washington

12 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 11

Private: 1

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 6.8/10

Estimated Scores: 20%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.8/10
Median household income: $70,058
Median home value: $339,800
Bachelor's degree or higher: 15%
Avg commute: 23 min
Owner-occupied homes: 68%

How Kelso compares

Washington rank

#39 of 192

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.4

above Washington avg (6.3)

Median household income

$70k

79% of Washington median

Schools in this city

10

About Schools in Kelso, Washington

Kelso, Washington is home to 12 schools, including 11 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools.

With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Kelso show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Kelso is Lexington Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Kelso is served by 1 school district: Kelso School District. These districts collectively serve 4,949 students.

Kelso's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,058. The poverty rate in the area is 12.6%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (12) Elementary (6) Middle (2) High (3)

Filter by Type: All Types (12) Public (11) Private (1)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (12) Academics (12) Growth (8) Diversity (8) Resources (9)

Filter by ZIP: 98626 (12)

Elementary Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Lexington Elementary 803 students · Kindergarten–5th	803	Kindergarten–5th	9.0
2	Rose Valley Elementary 167 students · Kindergarten–5th	167	Kindergarten–5th	8.2
3	Wallace Elementary 386 students · Pre-K–5th	386	Pre-K–5th	8.2
4	Butler Acres Elementary 403 students · Kindergarten–5th	403	Kindergarten–5th	8.1
5	Barnes Elementary 322 students · Kindergarten–5th	322	Kindergarten–5th	5.9
Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	JOURNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 54 students · Pre-K–8th	54	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Coweeman Middle School 510 students · 6th–8th	510	6th–8th	6.4
2	Huntington Middle School 567 students · 6th–8th	567	6th–8th	5.2

High Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design 36 students · 9th–12th	36	9th–12th	5.9
2	Kelso High School 1,379 students · 9th–12th	1,379	9th–12th	4.7
3	Loowit High School 8 students · 6th–12th	8	6th–12th	—

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Special Education 28 students · Pre-K–12th	28	Pre-K–12th	—

Schools in Kelso

Kelso, Washington · 12 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$70,058

Median Home Value

$339,800

Median Rent

$1,169/mo

Population

26,948

College Educated

15%

Homeownership

68%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Community Profile

Kelso has a median household income of $70,058. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,800, with a median rent of $1,169/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Washington
Total Schools: 12
Elementary: 6
Middle: 2
High: 3
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 6.8/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Kelso schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Kelso 📊 Niche Kelso Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Kelso School District

13 schools · 4,949 students

Nearby Cities

Longview (23 schools)

2 mi

Carrolls (1 school)

6 mi

Castle Rock (4 schools)

La Center (4 schools)

23 mi

Ridgefield (8 schools)

Cathlamet (2 schools)

23 mi

Chehalis (7 schools)

34 mi

Other Major Cities in Washington

Top metros statewide by school count.

Seattle 200 schools Spokane 122 schools Tacoma 113 schools Vancouver 100 schools Bellevue 62 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Kelso, Washington

How many schools are in Kelso, Washington?

Kelso has 12 schools, including 11 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Kelso, Washington?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Kelso is 6.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Kelso, Washington?

The top-ranked school in Kelso on MySchoolScout is Lexington Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.

What is the best elementary school in Kelso, Washington?

The top-ranked elementary school in Kelso on MySchoolScout is Lexington Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.

What is the best middle school in Kelso, Washington?

The top-ranked middle school in Kelso on MySchoolScout is Coweeman Middle School with a composite score of 6.4/10.

What is the best high school in Kelso, Washington?

The top-ranked high school in Kelso on MySchoolScout is Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design with a composite score of 5.9/10.

How many school districts serve Kelso, Washington?

Kelso is served by 1 school district: Kelso School District.

What is the education level in Kelso, Washington?

According to Census data, 15% of adults in Kelso have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Kelso, Washington?

The median household income in Kelso is approximately $70,058 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Kelso, Washington?

Yes, Kelso has 1 private school alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is Journey Christian School with a score of 6.0/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Kelso, Washington?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Kelso is 15.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Kelso, Washington?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.