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Below Average

#2031 of 2,228 schools in WA

Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary

Elementary School · Highland School District

1181 Thompson Rd, Cowiche, WA 98923

Enrollment

281

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,031 of 2,228

In Cowiche

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Highland School District

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Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary

4.0/10

Elementary School in Cowiche · grades Pre-K – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland High School

6.7/10

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

Highland Middle School

6.1/10

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

About Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary

Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary is a public elementary school in Cowiche, WA, part of Highland School District. Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary serves approximately 281 students, and covers grades Pre-K-2nd, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,031 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

48% of students at Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-2.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,399
Chronic Absenteeism48%

Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary — Students at Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 22 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
67%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.

How Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary Compares

See how Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
9th percentile in WA
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

Location

1181 Thompson Rd, Cowiche, WA 98923

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Apple Valley Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Yakima), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountainview Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Yakima), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cottonwood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Yakima), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cowiche, see our Cowiche schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland High School Cowiche 1.4 mi 6.7
Highland Middle School Cowiche 1.4 mi 6.1
Naches Valley Elementary School Naches 4.5 mi 5.9
Naches Valley Middle School Naches 4.9 mi 5.9
Mountainview Elementary Yakima 4.9 mi 8.7
Naches Valley High School Naches 5.4 mi 6.7
Tieton Elementary School Tieton 4.3 mi 8.0
Apple Valley Elementary Yakima 5.4 mi 9.0
Cottonwood Elementary School Yakima 5.7 mi 8.6
West Valley High School Yakima 6.4 mi 3.8
West Valley Open Doors Yakima 6.4 mi
West Valley Virtual University Yakima 6.4 mi
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 9-12 Yakima 6.5 mi 4.8
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 7-8 Yakima 6.5 mi
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY K-6 Yakima 6.5 mi
West Valley Innovation Center Yakima 6.5 mi 4.3
Wide Hollow Elementary Yakima 6.5 mi 6.2
Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima 7.8 mi 8.6
West Valley Preschool Yakima 7.8 mi 5.7
West Valley Mid-Level Campus Yakima 7.0 mi 7.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Marshall Elementary Marysville, WA 4.0
Renton Park Elementary School Renton, WA 4.0
Silver Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA 4.0
Washington Elementary School Kennewick, WA 4.0
CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - MCALDER ELEMENTARY Puyallup, WA 4.1
George C Marshall Elementary Vancouver, WA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary

What grades does Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary serve?

Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary?

Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary rank in WA?

Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary ranks #2,031 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary a charter school?

No, Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary a Title I school?

No, Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary?

74.4% of students at Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Yakima County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

District

Highland School District
District Enrollment
1,092
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,399
District Rank
#4 of 4

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