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Very Good

#626 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 28% in state

Highland High School

High School · Highland School District

PO Box 38, Cowiche, WA 98923

Enrollment

364

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cowiche

#2 of 3

public schools

Washington high schools

#71 of 476

In district

#2 of 4

Highland School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland High School

Highland High School serves 364 students in grades 9-12 in the small community of Cowiche, Washington. This rural public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students can build meaningful relationships with their educators. Academically, Highland High School demonstrates strong performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #355 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.

The school particularly excels in English Language Arts and Reading, with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels. This academic success is reflected in the school's impressive 9.1 out of 10 academic score. The school draws from a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $45,625 and median home values average $224,000.

About 30% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.7%. Highland High School provides quality education in the heart of Yakima County's agricultural region, where students benefit from both small-town values and solid academic preparation in a peaceful rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Highland High School is 21.4:1, 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, Highland 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.5%
Math vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.3 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+20.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,923

Highland High School — Students at Highland High School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.3%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 71.0%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
62%
2022
ELA
77%
2024
Math
26.4%
ELA
72.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Highland High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in WA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

PO Box 38, Cowiche, WA 98923

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Naches Valley High School (rated 7.6/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Naches), with a very similar rating. Another option is West Valley High School (rated 4.9/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Yakima), a more accessible option. Additionally, WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 9-12 (rated 4.7/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Yakima), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cowiche, see our Cowiche schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland Middle School Cowiche 0.0 mi 3.5
Marcus Whitman-Cowiche Elementary Cowiche 1.4 mi 8.0
Naches Valley Elementary School Naches 3.6 mi 6.5
Tieton Elementary School Tieton 3.0 mi 6.5
Naches Valley Middle School Naches 3.8 mi 4.9
Naches Valley High School Naches 4.3 mi 7.6
Mountainview Elementary Yakima 5.9 mi 8.1
Apple Valley Elementary Yakima 6.8 mi 6.9
Cottonwood Elementary School Yakima 7.1 mi 8.2
West Valley High School Yakima 7.8 mi 4.9
West Valley Open Doors Yakima 7.8 mi
West Valley Virtual University Yakima 7.8 mi
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 9-12 Yakima 7.9 mi 4.7
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 7-8 Yakima 7.9 mi
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY K-6 Yakima 7.9 mi
West Valley Innovation Center Yakima 7.9 mi 4.4
Wide Hollow Elementary Yakima 7.9 mi 5.2
Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima 9.1 mi 8.2
West Valley Preschool Yakima 9.1 mi 5.8
Summitview Elementary Yakima 7.8 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98923 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,409

Median Home Value

$228,300

Median Rent

$892/mo

Population

1,027

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

49.1%

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

56.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland High School has a median household income of $45,409. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,300, with a median rent of $892/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bellevue Big Picture School Bellevue, WA 7.2
Colfax High School Colfax, WA 7.2
Henrietta Lacks Health and Bioscience High School Vancouver, WA 7.2
Columbia High School Burbank, WA 7.4
LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL Union Gap, WA 7.4
Reardan Middle-Senior High School Reardan, WA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland High School

What grades does Highland High School serve?

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

How many students attend Highland High School?

Highland High School has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highland High School is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland High School rank in WA?

Highland High School is ranked #626 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Highland High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Highland High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High School has 23.3% math proficiency and 71.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland High School a charter school?

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

Is Highland High School a Title I school?

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

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

76.6% of students at Highland 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (465/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Yakima County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Highland School District
District Enrollment
1,092
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,399
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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