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Average

#1778 of 2,225 schools in WA

Kalama High School

High School · Kalama School District

548 China Garden Road, Kalama, WA 98625

Enrollment

356

Student-Teacher

22.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kalama

#2 of 3

public schools

Washington high schools

#351 of 476

In district

#2 of 3

Kalama School District

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Kalama High School

Kalama High School serves 356 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Kalama, Washington. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1, providing a relatively intimate learning environment for a public high school. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #358 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.

This impressive ranking reflects the school's academic score of 9.1 out of 10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 77% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels, indicating solid literacy skills among the student body. Kalama High School draws from a community with a median household income of $105,873 and a poverty rate of just 8.0%, suggesting a relatively stable economic environment.

The surrounding ZIP code 98625 has a population of 6,827 residents, with 28% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Median home values in the area reach $411,800, reflecting the desirability of this Cowlitz County location. The school sits on China Garden Road in a rural setting near the town of Kalama, offering students a quiet, community-focused educational environment along the Columbia River corridor.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Kalama High School is 22.2:1, 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, Kalama 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 Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.6%
Math vs. State Avg+2.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,745

Kalama High School — Students at Kalama High School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.4%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 73.6%
School
State
55.9%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2022
ELA
77%
2024
Math
34.1%
ELA
72.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Kalama High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
20th percentile in WA
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

548 China Garden Road, Kalama, WA 98625

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kalama High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Woodland Alternative School (rated 6.3/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Plymouth High School (rated 5.7/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby St. Helens), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kelso High School (rated 4.7/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Kelso), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kalama, see our Kalama schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Kalama Middle School Kalama 0.0 mi 3.4
Kalama Elem School Kalama 0.1 mi 7.2
Carrolls Elementary Carrolls 4.5 mi 7.5
Woodland High School Woodland 6.5 mi 4.2
Columbia City School Columbia City 8.2 mi 7.0
Columbia Elementary School Woodland 8.4 mi 7.9
Lewis River Academy Woodland 8.4 mi 4.6
Woodland Alternative School Woodland 8.4 mi 6.3
Woodland Middle School Woodland 8.4 mi 6.2
North Fork Elementary School Woodland 7.9 mi 8.7
Coweeman Middle School Kelso 9.6 mi 6.4
Plymouth High School St. Helens 9.9 mi 5.7
St. Helens Virtual Academy St. Helens 9.9 mi 6.2
Kelso High School Kelso 9.7 mi 4.7
Wallace Elementary Kelso 9.4 mi 8.2
Loowit High School Kelso 9.8 mi
St Helens Middle School St. Helens 10.1 mi 3.6
Lewis & Clark Elementary School St. Helens 10.2 mi 5.4
St Helens Arthur Academy St. Helens 10.0 mi 6.5
McBride Elementary School St. Helens 10.6 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98625 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,536

Median Home Value

$442,000

Population

7,020

College Educated

27.4%

Homeownership

78.8%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

50.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kalama High School has a median household income of $118,536. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $442,000. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Individualized Graduation & Degree Program Kent, WA 5.0
CPSD Open Doors Program Lakewood, WA 4.9
Columbia High School White Salmon, WA 5.1
Lake Roosevelt Jr/Sr High School Coulee Dam, WA 5.1
Mount Baker Senior High Deming, WA 4.9
On Track Academy Spokane, WA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kalama High School

What grades does Kalama High School serve?

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

How many students attend Kalama High School?

Kalama High School has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Kalama High School is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kalama High School rank in WA?

Kalama High School is ranked #1778 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Kalama High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kalama High School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Kalama High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kalama High School has 38.4% math proficiency and 73.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kalama High School a charter school?

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

Is Kalama High School a Title I school?

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

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

37.6% of students at Kalama 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,376/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalama). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cowlitz County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kalama School District
District Enrollment
1,151
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,374
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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