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Very Good

#539 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 24% in state

Colton School

School · Colton School District

706 Union, Colton, WA 99113

Enrollment

155

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#7 of 173

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Colton School

Colton School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Colton, Washington. Spanning from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, this small institution serves an enrollment of just 155 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of about 10 to 1. The school’s dedicated staff includes 15 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to provide personalized attention and support for each child.

Academically, Colton School maintains steady performance in core subjects like ELA/Reading (54% proficiency), Math (53% proficiency), and Science (77% proficiency). The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 reflects its current standing and indicates there is room for continued academic growth. With a state ranking of #676 among 2261 schools in Washington, Colton School focuses on student development and engagement.

Set against the backdrop of rural Whitman County, Colton School benefits from a close-knit community environment where students can grow and thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 155 students, Colton School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Colton School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.8%
Math vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,387

Colton School — Students at Colton School score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.2%
School
State
42.3%
ELA Proficiency 53.6%
School
State
51.6%

Based on 14 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2022
ELA
57%
2024
Math
53.5%
ELA
50.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.

How Colton School Compares

See how Colton School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in WA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

706 Union, Colton, WA 99113

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colton School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Pullman Community Montessori (rated 7.5/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Pullman), with a very similar rating. Another option is PULLMAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Pullman), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Special Services (rated 5.5/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Clarkston), a more accessible option. For more schools in Colton, see our Colton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.5 mi
School Distance Rating
GUARDIAN ANGEL-ST BONIFACE SCHOOL Colton 0.3 mi
Franklin Elementary Pullman 10.6 mi 9.4
Lincoln Middle School Pullman 10.7 mi 6.4
PULLMAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pullman 11.1 mi 6.5
Grantham Elementary Clarkston 10.9 mi 8.5
Sunnyside Elementary Pullman 11.4 mi 8.2
Special Services Clarkston 11.3 mi 5.5
Discovery Virtual School Clarkston 11.3 mi 3.2
Educational Opportunity Center Clarkston 11.3 mi 6.1
Educational Opportunity Center Reengagement Clarkston 11.3 mi
Pullman Community Montessori Pullman 11.6 mi 7.5
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clarkston 11.4 mi 5.1
Highland Elementary Clarkston 11.6 mi 7.2
Charles Francis Adams High School Clarkston 11.6 mi 6.5
CHILDRENS HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lewiston 11.3 mi 7.5
Jefferson Elementary Pullman 12.3 mi 5.6
Parkway Elementary Clarkston 11.7 mi 5.1
Lincoln Middle School Clarkston 12.3 mi 6.5
Heights Elementary Clarkston 12.3 mi 4.5
REGION 2 JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Lewiston 11.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99113 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,357

Median Home Value

$355,700

Median Rent

$1,031/mo

Population

535

College Educated

41.7%

Homeownership

84.2%

Poverty Rate

0.9%

Median Age

57.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Colton School has a median household income of $95,357. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,700, with a median rent of $1,031/month. The local poverty rate of 0.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bickleton Elementary & High Schl Bickleton, WA 7.5
Mansfield Elem and High School Mansfield, WA 7.5
Pullman Community Montessori Pullman, WA 7.5
ST MICHAEL'S ACADEMY Spokane, WA 7.5
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Auburn, WA 7.3
Wishkah Valley Elementary/High School Aberdeen, WA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colton School

What grades does Colton School serve?

Colton School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Colton School?

Colton School has an enrollment of approximately 155 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colton School?

The student-teacher ratio at Colton School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Colton School rank in WA?

Colton School is ranked #539 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Colton School's MySchoolScout rating?

Colton School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Colton School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colton School has 53.2% math proficiency and 53.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Colton School a charter school?

No, Colton School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Colton School a Title I school?

No, Colton School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colton School?

30.3% of students at Colton School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
3 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (85/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Whitman County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Colton School District
District Enrollment
155
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,653
District Rank
#1 of 1

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

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