Skip to main content

Below Average

#2029 of 2,225 schools in WA

Ellensburg High School

High School · Ellensburg School District

1203 E Capitol, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Enrollment

974

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ellensburg

#9 of 9

public schools

Washington high schools

#416 of 476

In district

#8 of 8

Ellensburg School District

About Ellensburg High School

Ellensburg High School serves 974 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Ellensburg, Washington. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1, providing a substantial learning environment for its nearly 1,000 students. Academically, the school ranks in the 52nd percentile among Washington high schools, placing #1,090 out of 2,261 schools statewide.

Students demonstrate solid performance in English Language Arts, with 57% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 reflects steady academic performance with room for continued growth and development. The school draws from a diverse community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an educationally supportive environment.

The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $65,551 and median home values of $396,700, reflecting a stable middle-class community, though 16.3% of families experience poverty, adding important socioeconomic diversity to the student body. Located on East Capitol Avenue, Ellensburg High School sits in the charming college town of Ellensburg, home to Central Washington University, where the academic atmosphere and small-town character create a unique setting for high school students to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Ellensburg High School is 22.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.4%
Math vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,747

Ellensburg High School — Students at Ellensburg High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.6%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 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
44%
ELA
77%
2022
ELA
57%
2024
Math
31.4%
ELA
60.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.

How Ellensburg High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in WA
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

1203 E Capitol, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ellensburg High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Naches Valley High School (rated 7.6/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Naches), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kittitas High School (rated 5.5/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Kittitas), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Selah High School (rated 3.2/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Selah), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ellensburg, see our Ellensburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.7 mi
School Distance Rating
K-12 Ellensburg Learning Center Ellensburg 0.1 mi 4.6
Valley View Elementary School Ellensburg 0.3 mi 8.3
Lincoln Elementary Ellensburg 0.6 mi 8.3
ELLENSBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ellensburg 0.7 mi 5.9
Morgan Middle School Ellensburg 0.7 mi 5.2
DISCOVERY LAB OF ELLENSBURG Ellensburg 0.9 mi
Early Learning Center Ellensburg 1.8 mi 5.2
Mt. Stuart Elementary Ellensburg 1.9 mi 5.8
Ida Nason Aronica Elementary Ellensburg 1.9 mi 6.9
Damman Elementary Ellensburg 2.6 mi 6.0
Kittitas High School Kittitas 4.8 mi 5.5
Kittitas Elementary School Kittitas 5.1 mi 7.2
Kittitas B-5 Special Ed Program Kittitas 5.1 mi
Thorp Elem & Jr Sr High Thorp 8.7 mi 5.3
Parke Creek Treatment Ctr Ellensburg 9.9 mi
Selah Academy Auxiliary Selah 20.0 mi
Naches Valley High School Naches 19.6 mi 7.6
Naches Valley Elementary School Naches 20.1 mi 6.5
Naches Valley Middle School Naches 19.9 mi 4.9
Selah High School Selah 22.7 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98926 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,826

Median Home Value

$425,600

Median Rent

$1,261/mo

Population

31,883

College Educated

37.9%

Homeownership

55.3%

Avg Commute

19.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

31.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ellensburg High School has a median household income of $66,826. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $425,600, with a median rent of $1,261/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
A G West Black Hills High School Tumwater, WA 4.2
Marysville Pilchuck High School Marysville, WA 4.2
Sedro Woolley Senior High School Sedro-Woolley, WA 4.2
Woodland High School Woodland, WA 4.2
Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma, WA 4.1
Lakes High School Lakewood, WA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ellensburg High School

What grades does Ellensburg High School serve?

Ellensburg High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ellensburg High School?

Ellensburg High School has an enrollment of approximately 974 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ellensburg High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ellensburg High School is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ellensburg High School rank in WA?

Ellensburg High School is ranked #2029 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Ellensburg High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ellensburg High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Ellensburg High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ellensburg High School has 35.6% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ellensburg High School a charter school?

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

Is Ellensburg High School a Title I school?

No, Ellensburg High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

39.3% of students at Ellensburg High 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
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,447/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
974
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Kittitas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ellensburg School District
District Enrollment
3,339
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,335
District Rank
#8 of 8

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.