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Below Average

#1842 of 2,225 schools in WA

West Valley High School

High School · West Valley School District (Yakima)

9800 Zier Rd, Yakima, WA 98908

Enrollment

1,574

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Yakima

#35 of 39

public schools

Washington high schools

#363 of 476

In district

#9 of 11

West Valley School District (Yakima)

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About West Valley High School

West Valley High School serves 1,574 students in grades 9-12 in Yakima, Washington, earning recognition as a strong academic performer in the state. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranking #565 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, the school places in the 75th percentile statewide. The academic program shows particular strength, earning an 8.8 out of 10 academic score, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.

The school operates with 67 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 23.5 to 1. This sizeable high school provides comprehensive education in a community where families demonstrate stable economic foundations, with a median household income of $77,767 and median home values around $329,200 in the surrounding 98908 ZIP code area. The neighborhood reflects a working-class community with 31% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.5%.

West Valley High School sits on Zier Road in a rural setting near town, offering students a blend of small-town atmosphere with access to the broader Yakima Valley community of nearly 39,000 residents in the immediate area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at West Valley High School is 23.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, West Valley 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-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.4%
Math vs. State Avg+1.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College Readiness2.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,671

West Valley High School — Students at West Valley High School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.6%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 66.2%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 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
37%
ELA
69%
2022
ELA
75%
2024
Math
33.4%
ELA
60.4%

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

How West Valley High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
17th percentile in WA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers

Location

9800 Zier Rd, Yakima, WA 98908

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Valley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eisenhower High School (rated 5.6/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 9-12 (rated 4.7/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Valley Innovation Center (rated 4.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Yakima, see our Yakima schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
West Valley Open Doors Yakima 0.0 mi
West Valley Virtual University Yakima 0.0 mi
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 9-12 Yakima 0.3 mi 4.7
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 7-8 Yakima 0.3 mi
WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY K-6 Yakima 0.3 mi
West Valley Innovation Center Yakima 0.3 mi 4.4
Cottonwood Elementary School Yakima 0.9 mi 8.2
Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima 1.8 mi 8.2
West Valley Preschool Yakima 1.8 mi 5.8
Apple Valley Elementary Yakima 1.8 mi 6.9
West Valley Mid-Level Campus Yakima 1.4 mi 6.4
Wide Hollow Elementary Yakima 1.8 mi 5.2
Summitview Elementary Yakima 2.7 mi 5.3
CHRIST THE TEACHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Yakima 3.1 mi 6.4
Whitney Elementary Yakima 3.5 mi 6.2
Wilson Middle School Yakima 3.5 mi 8.1
Mountainview Elementary Yakima 3.5 mi 8.1
Eisenhower High School Yakima 3.7 mi 5.6
YAKIMA ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yakima 4.2 mi 7.0
Gilbert Elementary School Yakima 4.0 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98908 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,266

Median Home Value

$356,900

Median Rent

$1,302/mo

Population

37,921

College Educated

32.8%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Valley High School has a median household income of $80,266. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,900, with a median rent of $1,302/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Centralia High School Centralia, WA 4.9
Olympia High School Olympia, WA 4.9
Eastmont Senior High East Wenatchee, WA 5.0
White River High School Buckley, WA 5.0
Arlington High School Arlington, WA 4.8
Grandview High School Grandview, WA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Valley High School

What grades does West Valley High School serve?

West Valley High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Valley High School?

West Valley High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,574 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Valley High School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Valley High School is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Valley High School rank in WA?

West Valley High School is ranked #1842 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is West Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Valley High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 West Valley High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Valley High School has 34.6% math proficiency and 66.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Valley High School a charter school?

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

Is West Valley High School a Title I school?

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

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

49.7% of students at West Valley 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,604/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,574
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Yakima County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Valley School District (Yakima)
District Enrollment
5,520
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,141
District Rank
#9 of 11

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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