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
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Highland High School — Students at Highland High School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 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 Highland High School Compares
See how Highland High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 26.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 72.5% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (509) 678-8800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highland School District- District Enrollment
- 1,092
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,399
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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