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Below Average

#2004 of 2,228 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

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,004 of 2,228

In Ellensburg

#8 of 9

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

Ellensburg School District

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Ellensburg High School

4.1/10

High School in Ellensburg · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

K-12 Ellensburg Learning Center

3.8/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Valley View Elementary School

7.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ellensburg High School

Ellensburg High School is a public high school in Ellensburg, WA, part of Ellensburg School District. Ellensburg High School serves approximately 974 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Ellensburg High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,004 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Ellensburg High School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below WA schools
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Ellensburg High School runs 22.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

35% of students at Ellensburg High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.4% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.4% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness3.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,335
Chronic Absenteeism34.5%

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 52.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 79.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
43%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
84.5%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
91%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
92%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
77%
2022
ELA
57%
2024
Math
31.4%
ELA
60.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.

How Ellensburg High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
10th percentile in WA
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
14.6% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·41 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.7/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Naches), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kittitas High School (rated 4.5/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Kittitas), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Selah High School (rated 3.1/10, 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 3.8
Valley View Elementary School Ellensburg 0.3 mi 7.8
Lincoln Elementary Ellensburg 0.6 mi 5.8
ELLENSBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ellensburg 0.7 mi 5.9
Morgan Middle School Ellensburg 0.7 mi 5.5
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 7.5
Damman Elementary Ellensburg 2.6 mi 7.4
Kittitas High School Kittitas 4.8 mi 4.5
Kittitas Elementary School Kittitas 5.1 mi 6.6
Kittitas B-5 Special Ed Program Kittitas 5.1 mi
Thorp Elem & Jr Sr High Thorp 8.7 mi 6.8
Parke Creek Treatment Ctr Ellensburg 9.9 mi
Selah Academy Auxiliary Selah 20.0 mi
Naches Valley High School Naches 19.6 mi 6.7
Naches Valley Elementary School Naches 20.1 mi 5.9
Naches Valley Middle School Naches 19.9 mi 5.9
Selah High School Selah 22.7 mi 3.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Wapato High School Wapato, WA 4.1
Rochester High School Rochester, WA 4.0
A G West Black Hills High School Tumwater, WA 4.2
Centralia High School Centralia, WA 4.2
Lakes High School Lakewood, WA 4.2
Washington High School Tacoma, WA 4.2

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 ranks #2,004 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Ellensburg High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ellensburg High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ellensburg High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ellensburg High School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

District

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

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