Skip to main content

Average

#1637 of 2,225 schools in WA

Palouse at Garfield Middle School

Middle School · Palouse School District

600 E Alder Street, Palouse, WA 99161

Enrollment

39

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palouse

#4 of 4

public schools

Washington middle schools

#226 of 374

In district

#3 of 3

Palouse School District

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Palouse at Garfield Middle School

Palouse at Garfield Middle School is a small middle school located in the rural community of Palouse, Washington. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 39 students. With its tight-knit setting, Palouse at Garfield offers a personalized learning environment where teachers can provide individualized attention to each student.

The academic performance of students at Palouse at Garfield is currently in the lower half when compared to other schools in Washington state, ranking 1624th out of 2261 middle schools. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.1/10 suggests there’s room for improvement, particularly in math where only 37% of students are proficient or above. However, the school performs better in ELA and science, with proficiency rates at 65% for both subjects.

Palouse at Garfield Middle School is situated in a remote rural area that offers a close-knit community feel, which can be nurturing and supportive for its young learners as they navigate middle school challenges.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 39 students, Palouse at Garfield Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Palouse at Garfield Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.9%
Math vs. State Avg-6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$19,608

Palouse at Garfield Middle School — Students at Palouse at Garfield Middle School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.6%
School
State
37.7%
ELA Proficiency 65.4%
School
State
49.5%

Based on 11 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
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
ELA
74.5%
2024
Math
30.6%
ELA
59.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Palouse at Garfield Middle School Compares

See how Palouse at Garfield Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
27th percentile in WA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Location

600 E Alder Street, Palouse, WA 99161

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palouse at Garfield Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pullman High School (rated 8.3/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Pullman), which scores notably higher. Another option is WEST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Moscow), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palouse High School (rated 7.8/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palouse, see our Palouse schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Garfield at Palouse High School Palouse 0.0 mi 7.2
Palouse High School Palouse 0.0 mi 7.8
Palouse Elementary Palouse 0.0 mi 6.8
WILD ROSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Viola 4.1 mi 5.3
Garfield Elementary Garfield 7.7 mi 6.9
Garfield Middle School Garfield 7.7 mi
POTLATCH JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Potlatch 7.9 mi 5.8
POTLATCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Potlatch 8.3 mi 6.5
LOGOS SCHOOL Moscow 12.6 mi 6.5
WEST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow 12.9 mi 7.9
J RUSSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow 12.8 mi 5.8
ST MARY'S PARISH SCHOOL Moscow 12.7 mi 6.8
MOSCOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Moscow 12.7 mi 7.2
MOSCOW HIGH SCHOOL Moscow 13.0 mi 6.3
MOSCOW CHARTER SCHOOL Moscow 12.8 mi 7.3
LENA WHITMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow 13.0 mi 5.6
Pullman High School Pullman 12.6 mi 8.3
A B MCDONALD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow 13.0 mi 7.6
PARADISE CREEK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Moscow 13.6 mi
Jefferson Elementary Pullman 13.0 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99161 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,750

Median Home Value

$285,800

Median Rent

$933/mo

Population

1,478

College Educated

47.8%

Homeownership

83.1%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

2.5%

Median Age

45.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Palouse at Garfield Middle School has a median household income of $90,750. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $285,800, with a median rent of $933/month. The local poverty rate of 2.5% is relatively low. 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
CASCADES MONTESSORI MIDDLE Bellingham, WA 5.1
Lyle Middle School Lyle, WA 4.9
SEATTLE JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL Seattle, WA 6.0
SEATTLE SCHOOL FOR BOYS Seattle, WA 6.5
SAGEBRUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richland, WA 4.0
FIDDLEHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Anacortes, WA

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palouse at Garfield Middle School

What grades does Palouse at Garfield Middle School serve?

Palouse at Garfield Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Palouse at Garfield Middle School?

Palouse at Garfield Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 39 students.

How does Palouse at Garfield Middle School rank in WA?

Palouse at Garfield Middle School is ranked #1637 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Palouse at Garfield Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Palouse at Garfield Middle School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Palouse at Garfield Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palouse at Garfield Middle School has 36.6% math proficiency and 65.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Palouse at Garfield Middle School a charter school?

No, Palouse at Garfield Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Palouse at Garfield Middle School a Title I school?

No, Palouse at Garfield Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palouse at Garfield Middle School?

38.5% of students at Palouse at Garfield Middle 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

County Safety
Low (85/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
39
0
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Whitman County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Palouse School District
District Enrollment
178
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,530
District Rank
#3 of 3

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

Related 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.