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Average

#1785 of 2,225 schools in WA

La Center High School

High School · La Center School District

725 Highland Rd, La Center, WA 98629

Enrollment

556

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Center

#3 of 4

public schools

Washington high schools

#354 of 476

In district

#3 of 4

La Center School District

Equity

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About La Center High School

La Center High School serves 556 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of La Center, Washington. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1, providing a moderately sized learning environment for high schoolers in Clark County. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #360 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile.

This solid standing is reinforced by an impressive academic score of 9.1 out of 10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 77% of students across all grade levels achieve proficiency or above, indicating consistent literacy skills development throughout the high school years. La Center High School draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $104,673 and the poverty rate remains low at 4.4%.

The surrounding area reflects a working-class character, with 24% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. With a median home value of $509,300 among the ZIP code's 9,783 residents, the school serves families in an established rural setting that values education while maintaining its small-town atmosphere along Highland Road.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at La Center 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, La Center 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 Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.8%
Math vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.6 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College Readiness2.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,516

La Center High School — Students at La Center High School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.3%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 78.2%
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
82%
2022
ELA
77%
2024
Math
40%
ELA
76.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.

How La Center High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
20th percentile in WA
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

725 Highland Rd, La Center, WA 98629

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Center High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Woodland Alternative School (rated 6.3/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ridgefield High School (rated 5.6/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Ridgefield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Woodland High School (rated 4.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Woodland), with a comparable rating. For more schools in La Center, see our La Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
La Center Academy La Center 0.0 mi 5.7
La Center Elementary La Center 0.4 mi 5.1
La Center Middle School La Center 0.5 mi 4.3
Wisdom Ridge Academy Ridgefield 4.3 mi 2.8
Ridgefield High School Ridgefield 5.4 mi 5.6
View Ridge Middle School Ridgefield 5.7 mi 4.7
Sunset Ridge Intermediate School Ridgefield 5.7 mi 6.4
North Fork Elementary School Woodland 5.3 mi 8.7
CEDAR TREE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ridgefield 6.7 mi 6.0
Union Ridge Elementary Ridgefield 5.3 mi 8.4
Ridgefield Early Learning Center Ridgefield 5.3 mi 5.6
Woodland Middle School Woodland 5.2 mi 6.2
Woodland Alternative School Woodland 5.2 mi 6.3
South Ridge Elementary Ridgefield 6.9 mi 5.0
Lewis River Academy Woodland 5.2 mi 4.6
Columbia Elementary School Woodland 5.3 mi 7.9
Daybreak Middle Battle Ground 6.8 mi 6.1
Daybreak Primary Battle Ground 6.8 mi 6.8
Woodland High School Woodland 6.8 mi 4.2
THE GARDNER SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES Vancouver 8.8 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,789

Median Home Value

$568,900

Median Rent

$1,978/mo

Population

9,051

College Educated

28%

Homeownership

91.5%

Avg Commute

36.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Center High School has a median household income of $108,789. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $568,900, with a median rent of $1,978/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. 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
Kalama High School Kalama, WA 5.0
Columbia High School White Salmon, WA 5.1
Lake Roosevelt Jr/Sr High School Coulee Dam, WA 5.1
Meridian High School Bellingham, WA 5.1
Mount Baker Senior High Deming, WA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Center High School

What grades does La Center High School serve?

La Center High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend La Center High School?

La Center High School has an enrollment of approximately 556 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Center High School?

The student-teacher ratio at La Center 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 La Center High School rank in WA?

La Center High School is ranked #1785 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is La Center High School's MySchoolScout rating?

La Center 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 La Center High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Center High School has 42.3% math proficiency and 78.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Center High School a charter school?

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

Is La Center High School a Title I school?

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

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

29.5% of students at La Center 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
Average (616/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
556
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Clark County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

La Center School District
District Enrollment
1,826
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,259
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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