Best Schools in Yakima, Washington
56 schools · 28 Elementary · 7 Middle · 16 High · 5 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $66,483
- Median home value
- $282,150
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
29% 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
#72 of 192
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above Washington avg (6.3)
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 | 416 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 368 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 377 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 4 | 239 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 5 | 682 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 6 | 612 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 7 | 380 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 8 | 454 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 9 | 563 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 10 | 512 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 11 | 412 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 12 | 424 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 13 | 544 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 14 | 461 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 15 | 535 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 16 | 528 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 17 | 473 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.4 | ||
| 18 | 492 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 | ||
| 19 | 443 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.2 | ||
| 20 | 495 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.2 | ||
| 21 | 471 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 22 | 122 students · Kindergarten–8th | 2.6 | ||
| 23 | 24 students · Kindergarten–6th | — | ||
| Private Schools 5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 344 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF YAKIMA
Private
52 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
Show 3 more elementary schools
| 3 | 197 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated |
| 4 | GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Private
2 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated |
| 5 | 3 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | Not Rated |
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 837 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 850 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 738 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 827 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 5 | 1,165 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
| 6 | 833 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 |
| 7 | 24 students · 7th–8th | — |
High Schools
16 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,218 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 53 students · 6th–12th | 6.6 |
| 3 | 198 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
| 4 | 1,045 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 5 | 2,315 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
| 6 | 319 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
| 7 | 1,574 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 |
| 8 | 89 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 |
| 9 | 191 students · 7th–12th | 4.4 |
| 10 | 335 students · 9th–12th | 3.3 |
| 11 | 98 students · 9th–12th | — |
| 12 | 1 students · 9th–12th | — |
| 13 | 17 students · 9th–12th | — |
| 14 | 7 students · 9th–12th | — |
| 15 | 11 students · 5th–12th | — |
| 16 | 3 students · 7th–12th | — |
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 235 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.9 | ||
| 2 | 55 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 1 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | WEST CHESTNUT ACADEMY
Private
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.
Quick Facts
- State
- Washington
- Total Schools
- 56
- Elementary
- 28
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 16
- Districts
- 5
- Avg Rating
- 6.3/10
Resources
School Districts (5)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Washington
Top metros statewide by school count.
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 methodologyFrequently 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 6.3 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Yakima, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Yakima on MySchoolScout is Davis High School 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 Gilbert Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Yakima, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Yakima on MySchoolScout is Wilson Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Yakima, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Yakima on MySchoolScout is Davis High School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.