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Average

#153 of 381 private schools in WA

Top 40% of private schools

Desales Catholic High School

High School

919 E SUMACH ST, Walla Walla, WA 99362

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on WA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

81

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Walla Walla

#1 of 4

public schools

Washington high schools

#32 of 43

About Desales Catholic High School

DeSales Catholic High School serves 81 students in grades 9-12 in Walla Walla, Washington, offering an intimate educational environment with a remarkable 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 8 full-time equivalent teachers, this small high school provides personalized attention that contributes to its impressive academic standing. The school has earned a strong 7.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #16 out of 381 high schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile among Washington schools.

This exceptional ranking reflects the quality of education provided in this close-knit learning community where students and faculty can build meaningful relationships. The small enrollment allows for individualized instruction and support, creating an environment where each student's academic journey receives focused attention. The low student-teacher ratio ensures that teachers can provide comprehensive guidance and mentorship to help students reach their potential.

Located on East Sumach Street, DeSales Catholic High School sits in a stable community where the median household income is $63,778 and 30% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school serves families in this small city setting, where the median home value of $348,000 reflects a committed residential community that values educational excellence.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 81 students, Desales Catholic High 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Desales Catholic High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Desales Catholic High School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Desales Catholic High School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Walla Walla, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
This School
vs
16.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
81
This School
vs
338
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
5.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 76.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 17.3% vs 0%
Black 2.5% vs 0%
Desales Catholic High School Walla Walla Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Desales Catholic High School (this school) 6.6
Walla Walla County Juvenile Detention
Lincoln High School 5.6
Walla Walla Open Doors 5.3
Walla Walla Online 4.0
Walla Walla High School 6.4
SE AREA TECHNICAL SKILLS CENTER 7.6

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in WA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 38%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 81
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in WA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 76.5%
Hispanic 17.3%
Two or More 3.7%
Black 2.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

919 E SUMACH ST, Walla Walla, WA 99362

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desales Catholic High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SE AREA TECHNICAL SKILLS CENTER (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Walla Walla High School (rated 6.4/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lincoln High School (rated 5.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Walla Walla, see our Walla Walla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Green Park Elementary School Walla Walla 0.5 mi 7.3
Sharpstein Elementary School Walla Walla 0.9 mi 9.0
Walla Walla County Juvenile Detention Walla Walla 1.0 mi
Lincoln High School Walla Walla 1.2 mi 5.6
Garrison Middle School Walla Walla 1.6 mi 6.7
Edison Elementary School Walla Walla 1.3 mi 7.7
Walla Walla Open Doors Walla Walla 1.2 mi 5.3
Walla Walla Online Walla Walla 1.2 mi 4.0
Pioneer Middle School Walla Walla 1.3 mi 6.8
Head Start Walla Walla 1.7 mi 6.0
Walla Walla Center for Children and Families Walla Walla 1.7 mi 7.8
Prospect Point Elementary Walla Walla 2.4 mi 8.4
Walla Walla High School Walla Walla 2.3 mi 6.4
Berney Elementary School Walla Walla 1.9 mi 6.0
ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Walla Walla 2.1 mi 6.0
ST BASIL ACADEMY OF CLASSICAL STUDIES Walla Walla 2.8 mi 5.2
SE AREA TECHNICAL SKILLS CENTER Walla Walla 2.6 mi 7.6
Davis Elementary College Place 3.2 mi 8.8
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Walla Walla 4.1 mi 4.3
John Sager Middle School College Place 4.1 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99362 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,660

Median Home Value

$398,000

Median Rent

$1,148/mo

Population

42,794

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

65.2%

Avg Commute

13.4 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desales Catholic High School has a median household income of $70,660. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $398,000, with a median rent of $1,148/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Pratt Academy Spokane, WA 6.6
Secondary Academy for Success Bothell, WA 6.6
Yakima Satellite Alternative Programs Yakima, WA 6.6
CHESTERTON ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME Spokane, WA 6.5
Desert Oasis High School Othello, WA 6.5
EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma, WA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desales Catholic High School

What grades does Desales Catholic High School serve?

Desales Catholic High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Desales Catholic High School?

Desales Catholic High School has an enrollment of approximately 81 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desales Catholic High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Desales Catholic High School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Desales Catholic High School rank in WA?

Desales Catholic High School is ranked #153 out of 381 private schools in WA.

What is Desales Catholic High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desales Catholic High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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.

Is Desales Catholic High School a private school?

Yes, Desales Catholic High School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Desales Catholic High School a religious school?

Desales Catholic High School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,562/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Walla Walla). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
81
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
WALLA WALLA
Data Year
2022–2023

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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