Below Average
#1871 of 2,225 schools in WA
Kelso High School
High School · Kelso School District
1904 Allen St, Kelso, WA 98626
Enrollment
1,379
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,379
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kelso
#9 of 9
public schools
Washington high schools
#373 of 476
In district
#10 of 11
Kelso School District
About Kelso High School
Kelso High School serves 1,379 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Kelso, Washington. With 76 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for reasonably sized classes throughout the four-year program. Academically, Kelso High School demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #431 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among Washington high schools.
The school's academic score of 8.3 out of 10 reflects strong educational outcomes, with 71% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. Located at 1904 Allen Street, the school sits within a community where the median household income is $69,423 and median home value reaches $310,500. The surrounding neighborhood in the 98626 ZIP code is home to approximately 27,000 residents, with 15% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.8%.
As a regular public high school in this small city setting, Kelso High School provides educational services to a diverse student population within Cowlitz County's close-knit community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Kelso High School — Students at Kelso High School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.5%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.
How Kelso High School Compares
See how Kelso High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 17.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 47.9% (2024).
Location
1904 Allen St, Kelso, WA 98626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kelso High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design (rated 5.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mark Morris High School (rated 4.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Longview), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kelso, see our Kelso schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Loowit High School Kelso | 0.2 mi | — |
| Coweeman Middle School Kelso | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Butler Acres Elementary Kelso | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Special Education Kelso | 0.7 mi | — |
| Huntington Middle School Kelso | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Wallace Elementary Kelso | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Barnes Elementary Kelso | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Rose Valley Elementary Kelso | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design Kelso | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Cowlitz County Youth Services Center Longview | 1.3 mi | — |
| Broadway Learning Center Longview | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Mark Morris High School Longview | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Columbia Heights Elementary Longview | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Kelso Virtual Academy Longview | 3.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Lexington Elementary Kelso | 3.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Northlake Elementary School Longview | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Cascade Middle School Longview | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| BIG LEAF MONTESSORI SCHOOL Longview | 2.6 mi | — |
| Kessler Elementary School Longview | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| JOURNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kelso | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,058
Median Home Value
$339,800
Median Rent
$1,169/mo
Population
26,948
College Educated
14.9%
Homeownership
68.1%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Median Age
40.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kelso High School has a median household income of $70,058. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,800, with a median rent of $1,169/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma, WA | 4.7 |
| Southridge High School Kennewick, WA | 4.7 |
| Stanwood High School Stanwood, WA | 4.7 |
| Tumwater High School Tumwater, WA | 4.7 |
| Arlington High School Arlington, WA | 4.8 |
| Grandview High School Grandview, WA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kelso High School
What grades does Kelso High School serve?
Kelso High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Kelso High School?
Kelso High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,379 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kelso High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kelso High 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 Kelso High School rank in WA?
Kelso High School is ranked #1871 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Kelso High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kelso High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Kelso High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kelso High School has 18.3% math proficiency and 58.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kelso High School a charter school?
No, Kelso High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kelso High School a Title I school?
No, Kelso High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kelso High School?
60.5% of students at Kelso 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kelso). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 76
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cowlitz County
- Phone
- (360) 501-1801
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kelso School District- District Enrollment
- 4,949
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,984
- District Rank
- #10 of 11
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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