Excellent
#350 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 16% in state
Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary
Elementary School · Highland School District
1181 Thompson Rd, Cowiche, WA 98923
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cowiche
#1 of 3
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#309 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 4
Highland School District
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary
Marcus Whitman-Cowiche Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the rural area near Cowiche, Washington. The school serves preschool through second grade, providing early education to 281 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, Marcus Whitman-Cowiche Elementary focuses on laying a strong foundation for young learners.
Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks as the 940th best elementary school in Washington state, placing it in the 58th percentile. In reading and ELA, 37% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 42% meet proficiency standards. The school is working diligently to support student development and academic growth.
Marcus Whitman-Cowiche Elementary is located in a rural setting that offers a close-knit community environment for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary — Students at Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 3 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.
How Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary Compares
See how Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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. Cottonwood Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Yakima), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ahtanum Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Yakima), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mountainview Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Yakima), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.3 |
| Highland Middle School Cowiche | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Naches Valley Elementary School Naches | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Naches Valley Middle School Naches | 4.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Mountainview Elementary Yakima | 4.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Naches Valley High School Naches | 5.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Tieton Elementary School Tieton | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Apple Valley Elementary Yakima | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Yakima | 5.7 mi | 8.2 |
| West Valley High School Yakima | 6.4 mi | 4.9 |
| 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 | 4.7 |
| 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 | 4.4 |
| Wide Hollow Elementary Yakima | 6.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima | 7.8 mi | 8.2 |
| West Valley Preschool Yakima | 7.8 mi | 5.8 |
| West Valley Mid-Level Campus Yakima | 7.0 mi | 6.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary has a median household income of $45,409. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,300, with a median rent of $892/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen Elementary Bow, WA | 8.0 |
| Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary Woodinville, WA | 8.0 |
| Summit School Spokane Valley, WA | 8.0 |
| Washington Elementary School Centralia, WA | 8.0 |
| Adams Elementary Spokane Valley, WA | 8.1 |
| Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham, WA | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #350 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marcus Whitman-cowiche Elementary has 42.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (509) 678-8900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highland School District- District Enrollment
- 1,092
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,399
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.