Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Washington

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Washington iowaPhoto: Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
D
Schools in Washington · Washington Community School District

Washington’s public schools score below 91% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Washington’s districts is 49%, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Washington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

#121of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
59%
▼ 11 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
49%
▼ 15 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 4–8 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.5K
▲ 6% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.6
IA 14.1 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
1,600 students on the public path
In brief

Washington’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 59% of tested students were proficient in reading and 49% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa (the state reports Washington’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,542 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Lincoln Upper Elementary School, then Washington Middle School, then Washington High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. James School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Washington’s grade

D Test scoresD Graduation

D: better than 9% of Iowa school districts, #121 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 9%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (490)Better than 9%
D−C−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,026 test results and a graduating class of 124 could put Washington anywhere from D− to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Washington’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,027 in math, 1,026 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Washington, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–2Stewart Elementary SchoolWashington Community School DistrictNo scores
3–5Lincoln Upper Elementary SchoolWashington Community School DistrictC−
6–8Washington Middle SchoolWashington Community School DistrictC−
9–12Washington High SchoolWashington Community School DistrictC

Washington’s public schools are run by Washington Community School District, which also serves Brighton. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Washington Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,600 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 12.6 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$14,542IA $13,713 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading59%
State average 69.7% · 1026 students tested
Math49%
State average 63.8% · 1027 students tested

Washington vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Washington’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WashingtonDWashington

Every school in Washington

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Washingtonby address
Stewart Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
457 students13:1Rate it →
Lincoln Upper Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–5
C−
344 students13:1Rate it →
Washington Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
347 students11:1Rate it →
Washington High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
452 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. James School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Private · Catholic
120 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Washington’s schools

Are Washington’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Washington children attend score below 91% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #121 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 9%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Washington in?

Washington Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,600 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Washington kids go to high school?

Washington High School, with 452 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Washington’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Washington Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Washington spend per student?

$14,542 in Washington Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Washington?

Yes: St. James School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 120 students).

Parents talk

What Washington families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Washington → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.