Skip to main content

Excellent

#261 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 12% in state

South Whidbey High School

High School · South Whidbey School District

5675 Maxwelton, Langley, WA 98260

Enrollment

361

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

8.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Langley

#1 of 4

public schools

Washington high schools

#13 of 476

In district

#1 of 4

South Whidbey School District

Equity

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About South Whidbey High School

South Whidbey High School is a public high school in Langley, WA, part of the South Whidbey School District. The school serves approximately 361 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 88.3th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 52% proficiency in math, 16 points above the state average and 82% in reading/language arts, 26 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $100,490, where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Whidbey 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 Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87.6%
Math vs. State Avg+15.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.4 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,973

South Whidbey High School — Students at South Whidbey High School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.1%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 82.3%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 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
62%
ELA
82%
2022
ELA
72%
2024
Math
47.2%
ELA
87.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.

How South Whidbey High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
88th percentile in WA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

5675 Maxwelton, Langley, WA 98260

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Whidbey High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kamiak High School (rated 4.9/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Mukilteo), a more accessible option. Additionally, South Whidbey Academy (rated 3.6/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Langley, see our Langley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
South Whidbey Middle Langley 0.0 mi 5.7
South Whidbey Academy Langley 0.0 mi 3.6
South Whidbey Special Services Langley 0.2 mi
ISLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Langley 0.6 mi 6.5
South Whidbey Elementary Langley 0.6 mi 6.9
WHIDBEY ISLAND WALDORF SCHOOL Clinton 1.8 mi 5.2
Mukilteo Elementary Mukilteo 7.0 mi 8.9
Olympic View Middle School Mukilteo 7.2 mi 6.6
Columbia Elementary Mukilteo 8.6 mi 8.5
Kamiak High School Mukilteo 8.7 mi 4.9
Harbour Pointe Middle School Mukilteo 8.7 mi 3.6
Elger Bay Elementary Camano Island 10.0 mi 5.4
Endeavour Elementary Mukilteo 9.5 mi 7.7
NORTHSHORE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Everett 7.9 mi 5.1
Picnic Point Elementary Edmonds 10.2 mi 8.3
Serene Lake Elementary Edmonds 10.6 mi 6.2
ECEAP Mukilteo 10.3 mi 6.9
MUKILTEO ACADEMY Mukilteo 10.4 mi
Fairmount Elementary Everett 10.1 mi 8.2
Pathfinder Kindergarten Center Everett 10.1 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98260 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,490

Median Home Value

$646,100

Median Rent

$1,455/mo

Population

5,480

College Educated

53.8%

Homeownership

83%

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

63.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Whidbey High School has a median household income of $100,490. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $646,100, with a median rent of $1,455/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
FOREST RIDGE SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Bellevue, WA 8.4
International Community School Kirkland, WA 8.2
Summit Public School: Sierra Seattle, WA 8.6
Friday Harbor High School Friday Harbor, WA 8.7
Raisbeck Aviation High School Tukwila, WA 7.9
Oroville Middle-High School Oroville, WA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Whidbey High School

What grades does South Whidbey High School serve?

South Whidbey High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Whidbey High School?

South Whidbey High School has an enrollment of approximately 361 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Whidbey High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Whidbey High School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Whidbey High School rank in WA?

South Whidbey High School is ranked #261 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is South Whidbey High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Whidbey High School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 South Whidbey High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Whidbey High School has 52.1% math proficiency and 82.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Whidbey High School a charter school?

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

Is South Whidbey High School a Title I school?

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

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

32.7% of students at South Whidbey 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (437/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Island County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Whidbey School District
District Enrollment
1,173
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,378
District Rank
#1 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

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.