Average
#1322 of 2,225 schools in WA
Yelm High School 12
High School · Yelm School District
PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597
Enrollment
1,677
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,677
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Yelm
#7 of 10
public schools
Washington high schools
#238 of 476
In district
#7 of 10
Yelm School District
About Yelm High School 12
Yelm High School serves 1,677 students in grades 9-12 in this growing community on the edge of the Puget Sound region. With 77 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio while serving families in an area where the median household income reaches $88,965. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks in the 58th percentile among Washington high schools at #956 out of 2,261 schools statewide.
Students demonstrate solid progress in English Language Arts, with 62% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. The school's academic score of 7.1 out of 10 reflects steady performance with opportunities for continued growth. Families in the 98597 ZIP code area enjoy a relatively affluent community with median home values around $377,100 and a low poverty rate of 6.8%.
About 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive environment for students' educational journeys. Yelm High School sits in a town setting that bridges rural and urban experiences, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community while providing access to the broader opportunities of the greater Thurston County region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Yelm High School 12 is 21.8:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
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Yelm High School 12 — Students at Yelm High School 12 score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.1/10.
How Yelm High School 12 Compares
See how Yelm High School 12 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 23.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 56.8% (2024).
Location
PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Yelm High School 12 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rainier Senior High School (rated 5.2/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Rainier), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Yelm Extension School (rated 4.8/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Yelm, see our Yelm schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Yelm Middle School Yelm | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Ridgeline Middle School Yelm | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Mill Pond Elementary School Yelm | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Yelm Extension School Yelm | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Southworth Elementary Yelm | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Fort Stevens Elementary Yelm | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Yelm Prairie Elementary Yelm | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| EAGLE VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yelm | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| McKenna Elementary Yelm | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Rainier Middle School Rainier | 5.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Rainier Senior High School Rainier | 5.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Rainier Elementary School Rainier | 5.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Roy Elementary Roy | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Rainier Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main | 9.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Wa He Lut Indian School Olympia | 8.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont | 10.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Meadows Elementary Lacey | 8.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey | 7.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Pioneer Middle Dupont | 10.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Hillside Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main | 10.9 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98597 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,120
Median Home Value
$423,200
Median Rent
$1,441/mo
Population
26,431
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
80.4%
Avg Commute
36.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
36.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Yelm High School 12 has a median household income of $92,120. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $423,200, with a median rent of $1,441/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chief Sealth International High School Seattle, WA | 6.0 |
| Fort Vancouver High School Vancouver, WA | 6.0 |
| Mount Rainier High School Des Moines, WA | 6.0 |
| North Kitsap High School Poulsbo, WA | 6.0 |
| Rogers High School Spokane, WA | 6.0 |
| Auburn Riverside High School Auburn, WA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Yelm High School 12
What grades does Yelm High School 12 serve?
Yelm High School 12 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Yelm High School 12?
Yelm High School 12 has an enrollment of approximately 1,677 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Yelm High School 12?
The student-teacher ratio at Yelm High School 12 is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Yelm High School 12 rank in WA?
Yelm High School 12 is ranked #1322 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Yelm High School 12's MySchoolScout rating?
Yelm High School 12 has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Yelm High School 12?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Yelm High School 12 has 27.5% math proficiency and 61.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Yelm High School 12 a charter school?
No, Yelm High School 12 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Yelm High School 12 a Title I school?
No, Yelm High School 12 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Yelm High School 12?
44.1% of students at Yelm High School 12 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. City-level (Yelm). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,677
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 77
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Thurston County
- Phone
- (360) 458-7777
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Yelm School District- District Enrollment
- 5,738
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,820
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
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
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