Needs Improvement
#2165 of 2,225 schools in WA
Highland Middle School
Middle School · Highland School District
PO Box 38, Cowiche, WA 98923
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cowiche
#3 of 3
public schools
Washington middle schools
#359 of 374
In district
#4 of 4
Highland School District
About Highland Middle School
Highland Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Cowiche, Washington. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 253 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1. Highland Middle School has 14 full-time equivalent teachers committed to educating their students.
The academic performance at Highland Middle School shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #2181 out of 2261 schools in Washington (4th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates across grades, 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 16% and 14% are proficient or above in Math and Science, respectively. Highland Middle School is situated in a rural setting near the town of Cowiche.
The school community focuses on supporting its students' development and growth despite current academic challenges.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Highland Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Middle School — Students at Highland Middle School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.0/10.
How Highland Middle School Compares
See how Highland Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 9.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 32.8% (2024).
Location
PO Box 38, Cowiche, WA 98923
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cottonwood Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Yakima), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ahtanum Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Yakima), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mountainview Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Yakima), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cowiche, see our Cowiche schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland High School Cowiche | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| 10th Street School Marysville, WA | 3.4 |
| Kalama Middle School Kalama, WA | 3.4 |
| Toledo Middle School Toledo, WA | 3.7 |
| Finley Middle School Kennewick, WA | 3.8 |
| Tenino Middle School Tenino, WA | 3.8 |
| Goldendale Middle School Goldendale, WA | 3.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Middle School
What grades does Highland Middle School serve?
Highland Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Highland Middle School?
Highland Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 253 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Middle School rank in WA?
Highland Middle School is ranked #2165 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Middle School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Middle School has 16.2% math proficiency and 39.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Middle School a charter school?
No, Highland Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Middle School a Title I school?
No, Highland Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Middle School?
86.2% of students at Highland Middle 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
- County Safety
- Average (465/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 253
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Yakima County
- Phone
- (509) 678-8870
- 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
- #4 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
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.