Very Good
#682 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 31% in state
Garfield at Palouse High School
High School · Garfield School District
600 E. Alder, Palouse, WA 99161
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
41:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
41:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palouse
#2 of 4
public schools
Washington high schools
#84 of 476
In district
#1 of 2
Garfield School District
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Garfield at Palouse High School
Garfield at Palouse High School serves grades 9–12 in Palouse, Washington, a remote rural community in Whitman County. With just 41 students and one full-time equivalent teacher, the school operates as an intimate learning environment with a 41:1 student-teacher ratio. This small scale means students may benefit from personalized attention, though class sizes and resource availability reflect the rural setting.
Academically, the school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6/10 and ranks in the 84th percentile statewide (#367 out of 2,261 Washington schools). English language arts and reading proficiency stands at 78%, showing solid strength in literacy. Mathematics proficiency at 42% indicates an area where additional support could help more students reach mastery.
The school's academic score of 8.8/10 reflects its above-average performance relative to other schools across the state. As a regular public high school in a remote rural area, Garfield at Palouse serves a tight-knit community where families may prioritize the close relationships and individualized instruction that small schools can offer. The tight student-teacher ratio creates opportunities for direct engagement between educators and learners, though families should consider how the school's size and rural location align with their educational goals and needs.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 41 students, Garfield at Palouse 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Garfield at Palouse High School is 41:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Garfield at Palouse High 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
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Garfield at Palouse High School — Students at Garfield at Palouse High School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 7 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Garfield at Palouse High School Compares
See how Garfield at Palouse High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 50% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 75% (2019) to 81.3% (2024).
Location
600 E. Alder, Palouse, WA 99161
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garfield at Palouse High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pullman High School (rated 8.3/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Pullman), which scores notably higher. Another option is Palouse High School (rated 7.8/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MOSCOW HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Moscow), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palouse, see our Palouse schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Palouse High School Palouse | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Palouse Elementary Palouse | 0.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Palouse at Garfield Middle School Palouse | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| WILD ROSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Viola | 4.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Garfield Elementary Garfield | 7.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Garfield Middle School Garfield | 7.7 mi | — |
| POTLATCH JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Potlatch | 7.9 mi | 5.8 |
| POTLATCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Potlatch | 8.3 mi | 6.5 |
| LOGOS SCHOOL Moscow | 12.6 mi | 6.5 |
| WEST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow | 12.9 mi | 7.9 |
| J RUSSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow | 12.8 mi | 5.8 |
| ST MARY'S PARISH SCHOOL Moscow | 12.7 mi | 6.8 |
| MOSCOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Moscow | 12.7 mi | 7.2 |
| MOSCOW HIGH SCHOOL Moscow | 13.0 mi | 6.3 |
| MOSCOW CHARTER SCHOOL Moscow | 12.8 mi | 7.3 |
| LENA WHITMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow | 13.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Pullman High School Pullman | 12.6 mi | 8.3 |
| A B MCDONALD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow | 13.0 mi | 7.6 |
| PARADISE CREEK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Moscow | 13.6 mi | — |
| Jefferson Elementary Pullman | 13.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99161 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,750
Median Home Value
$285,800
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
1,478
College Educated
47.8%
Homeownership
83.1%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Median Age
45.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Garfield at Palouse High School has a median household income of $90,750. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $285,800, with a median rent of $933/month. The local poverty rate of 2.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Chelan School of Innovation Chelan, WA | 7.2 |
| Harrington High School Harrington, WA | 7.2 |
| ESD 112 Open Doors Reengagement Vancouver, WA | 7.1 |
| Phoenix High School Kennewick, WA | 7.1 |
| Cap Sante High School Anacortes, WA | 7.0 |
| Gate Work Study Program Vancouver, WA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garfield at Palouse High School
What grades does Garfield at Palouse High School serve?
Garfield at Palouse High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Garfield at Palouse High School?
Garfield at Palouse High School has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garfield at Palouse High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Garfield at Palouse High School is 41:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Garfield at Palouse High School rank in WA?
Garfield at Palouse High School is ranked #682 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Garfield at Palouse High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Garfield at Palouse High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Garfield at Palouse High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garfield at Palouse High School has 41.7% math proficiency and 78.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Garfield at Palouse High School a charter school?
No, Garfield at Palouse High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Garfield at Palouse High School a Title I school?
No, Garfield at Palouse High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garfield at Palouse High School?
58.5% of students at Garfield at Palouse 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 41
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 41:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Whitman County
- Phone
- (509) 878-1921
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garfield School District- District Enrollment
- 120
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $29,876
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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