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Very Good

#434 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 20% in state

Palouse High School

High School · Palouse School District

600 East Alder Street, Palouse, WA 99161

Enrollment

49

Student-Teacher

7:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palouse

#1 of 4

public schools

Washington high schools

#34 of 476

In district

#1 of 3

Palouse School District

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Palouse High School

Palouse High School serves 49 students in grades 9-12 in the small rural community of Palouse, Washington. This intimate school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention that clearly shows in academic results. The school's performance is remarkable, earning an 8.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 27th out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile.

With an academic score of 8.8 out of 10, Palouse High School demonstrates strong educational outcomes, including 75% of students achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. The school draws from a well-educated community where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $89,167. The low poverty rate of just 2.7% reflects the area's economic stability, with median home values around $271,000.

Located at 600 East Alder Street in Whitman County, Palouse High School operates in a remote rural setting that fosters close-knit relationships between students, families, and educators. This small-town environment, combined with the school's impressive academic achievements, creates an educational experience where every student can receive individual attention while being challenged to excel.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 49 students, Palouse High 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, Palouse High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Palouse 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 Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.5Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.4%
Math vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.2 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,608

Palouse High School — Students at Palouse High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.3%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 71.8%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 7 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
69.5%
2022
ELA
75%
2024
Math
21.4%
ELA
71.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Palouse High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
81th percentile in WA
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

600 East Alder Street, Palouse, WA 99161

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palouse High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pullman High School (rated 8.3/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Pullman), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Garfield at Palouse High School (rated 7.2/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MOSCOW HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Moscow), a more accessible option. 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 Elementary Palouse 0.0 mi 6.8
Palouse at Garfield Middle School Palouse 0.0 mi 5.3
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 High 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
Emerson High School Kirkland, WA 7.8
Choice Academy Kingston, WA 7.7
Creston Jr-Sr High School Creston, WA 7.7
Alan T. Sugiyama High School Seattle, WA 7.9
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham, WA 7.9
Leaders In Learning Monroe, WA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palouse High School

What grades does Palouse High School serve?

Palouse High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Palouse High School?

Palouse High School has an enrollment of approximately 49 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Palouse High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Palouse High School is 7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Palouse High School rank in WA?

Palouse High School is ranked #434 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Palouse High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Palouse High School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palouse High School has 24.3% math proficiency and 71.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Palouse High School a charter school?

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

Is Palouse High School a Title I school?

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

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

42.9% of students at Palouse 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (85/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
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
#1 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

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