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Needs Improvement

#2113 of 2,228 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

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,113 of 2,228

In Kelso

#9 of 9

public schools

In district

#10 of 11

Kelso School District

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Kelso High School

3.6/10

High School in Kelso · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Loowit High School

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Coweeman Middle School

4.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Kelso High School

Kelso High School is a public high school in Kelso, WA, part of Kelso School District. Kelso High School serves approximately 1,379 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Kelso High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,113 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Kelso High School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.9
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

52% of students at Kelso High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.5% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-14 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness2.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,984
Chronic Absenteeism52%

Kelso High School — Students at Kelso High School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 71.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
32%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
91%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
79%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
66%
2022
ELA
71%
2024
Math
17.5%
ELA
47.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.

How Kelso High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
5th percentile in WA
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
15
6 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
6.7% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics15sports offered
6 boys'·9 girls'·32 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mark Morris High School (rated 3.4/10, 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 4.6
Butler Acres Elementary Kelso 0.5 mi 7.0
Special Education Kelso 0.7 mi
Huntington Middle School Kelso 1.0 mi 5.8
Wallace Elementary Kelso 1.2 mi 5.6
Barnes Elementary Kelso 1.3 mi 6.5
Rose Valley Elementary Kelso 1.3 mi 6.2
Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design Kelso 1.3 mi 6.2
Cowlitz County Youth Services Center Longview 1.3 mi
Broadway Learning Center Longview 1.7 mi 5.6
Mark Morris High School Longview 2.1 mi 3.4
Columbia Heights Elementary Longview 2.4 mi 5.7
Kelso Virtual Academy Longview 3.0 mi 3.4
Lexington Elementary Kelso 3.3 mi 9.0
Northlake Elementary School Longview 2.5 mi 6.0
Cascade Middle School Longview 2.6 mi 5.4
BIG LEAF MONTESSORI SCHOOL Longview 2.6 mi
Kessler Elementary School Longview 2.7 mi 5.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cheney High School Cheney, WA 3.6
Orting High School Orting, WA 3.6
Prosser High School Prosser, WA 3.6
Federal Way High School Federal Way, WA 3.5
Grandview High School Grandview, WA 3.7
Sedro Woolley Senior High School Sedro-Woolley, WA 3.7

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 ranks #2,113 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Kelso High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kelso High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Kelso High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kelso High School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.0%

District

Kelso School District
District Enrollment
4,949
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,984
District Rank
#10 of 11

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