Best Schools in Yakima, Washington
56 schools · 28 Elementary · 7 Middle · 16 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in Yakima?
Use this page to compare every school in Yakima by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Apple Valley Elementary
Elementary · West Valley School District (yakima). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mountainview Elementary
Elementary · West Valley School District (yakima). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Cottonwood Elementary School
Elementary · West Valley School District (yakima). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Yakima for 2026 are Apple Valley Elementary (9.0/10), Mountainview Elementary (8.7/10), and Cottonwood Elementary School (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 43 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
56
49 public · 7 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$282,150
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Schools
56
49 public · 7 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$282,150
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 44% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.0 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Yakima schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +16.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Yakima schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Yakima
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (43 of 56). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Valley Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Mountainview Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Cottonwood Elementary School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Ahtanum Valley Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Robertson Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 6 | West Chestnut Academy | 8.5 / 10 |
| 7 | East Valley Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Roosevelt Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Barge-lincoln Elementary School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Nob Hill Elementary School | 8.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $66,483
- Median home value
- $282,150
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
47% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Yakima compares
Washington rank
#54 of 193
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Washington avg (6.4)
Median household income
$66k
75% of Washington median
Schools in this city
45
About Schools in Yakima, Washington
Yakima's public school system spans 39 ranked schools, giving families a meaningful range of options across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The city's average school score sits at 6.3 out of 10, which reflects real variation across campuses — some schools perform well above that mark, while others pull the average down. Parents researching here should look past the city-wide average and compare individual schools closely.
The stronger end of the spectrum is well-represented. Eleven schools, or 28% of Yakima's ranked public schools, score 7 or higher out of 10 — a meaningful cluster of above-average options for families who prioritize academic performance. Davis High School leads the city with a 9.0 rating, placing it among the strongest schools in the region. On the elementary side, Gilbert Elementary (8.7), Cottonwood Elementary (8.2), Ahtanum Valley Elementary (8.2), and Mountainview Elementary (8.1) all clear the 8.0 threshold, giving families of younger children several competitive options to consider.
Geography matters in Yakima. Schools serving different neighborhoods and surrounding valley communities vary noticeably in their ratings, so a family's address can significantly shape which schools are within reach. Parents willing to research attendance boundaries, open enrollment policies, or school choice options may find access to higher-rated campuses beyond their immediate zone.
The practical takeaway: Yakima is not a uniform school market. The city's 6.3 average masks a top tier of eleven schools that outperform that baseline by a considerable margin. Families focused on academic outcomes should concentrate their search on that top quartile — starting with Davis High School at the secondary level and the cluster of 8-plus-rated elementary schools. Using school-level scores rather than city averages will give a sharper picture of what each campus actually delivers. Compare individual ratings, check enrollment options, and verify current attendance boundaries before making any decisions tied to school access.
Elementary Schools
28 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 454 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 239 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 368 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 4 | 377 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 5 | 471 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 |
| 6 | 563 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 7 | 473 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 8 | 512 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 |
| 9 | 380 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 |
| 10 | 535 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
Show all 28 elementary schools in Yakima
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 833 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 1,165 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
| 3 | 850 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
| 4 | 738 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 5 | 827 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
| 6 | 837 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
| 7 | 24 students · 7th–8th | — |
High Schools
16 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 319 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 53 students · 6th–12th | 7.0 |
| 3 | 2,218 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 4 | 198 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 |
| 5 | 1,045 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
| 6 | 89 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
| 7 | 191 students · 7th–12th | 4.3 |
| 8 | 2,315 students · 9th–12th | 3.9 |
| 9 | 1,574 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 |
| 10 | 335 students · 9th–12th | 3.7 |
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 235 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 55 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.7 | ||
| 3 | 1 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | West Chestnut AcademyPrivate 118 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 77 students · Pre-K–10th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Yakima
Yakima, Washington · 56 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$66,483
Median Home Value
$282,150
Median Rent
$1,144/mo
Population
134,388
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Community Profile
Yakima has a median household income of $66,483. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $282,150, with a median rent of $1,144/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Washington
- Elementary
- 28
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 16
- Other
- 5
School Districts (5)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Washington
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Yakima, Washington
How many schools are in Yakima, Washington?
Yakima has 56 schools, including 49 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Yakima, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Yakima is 6.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Yakima, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Yakima on MySchoolScout is Apple Valley Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Yakima, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Yakima on MySchoolScout is Apple Valley Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Yakima, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Yakima on MySchoolScout is East Valley Central Middle School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Yakima, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Yakima on MySchoolScout is Yakima Open Doors with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Yakima, Washington?
Yakima is served by 5 school districts: Educational Service District 105, East Valley School District (yakima), Naches Valley School District, West Valley School District (yakima), Yakima School District.
What is the education level in Yakima, Washington?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Yakima have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Yakima, Washington?
The median household income in Yakima is approximately $66,483 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Yakima, Washington?
Yes, Yakima has 7 private schools alongside 49 public schools. The top-rated private school is West Chestnut Academy with a score of 8.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Yakima, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Yakima is 22.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Yakima, 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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Washington Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.