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C−
Schools in Desert Aire · Wahluke School District

Desert Aire’s public schools score below 82% of Washington districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Desert Aire’s districts is 19%, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Desert Aire, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.

#269of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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
28%
▼ 25 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
19%
▼ 21 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85%
▲ 1 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.2K
▼ 2% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.1
WA 17.7
Schools in town
0
1,973 students on the public path
In brief

Desert Aire’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 274 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Desert Aire’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 18% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,157 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

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

From grade 1 the district’s path is Saddle Mountain Elementary, then Wahluke Junior High, then Wahluke High School. See the path ↓

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 Desert Aire’s grade

D Test scoresB− Graduation

C−: better than 18% of Washington school districts, #269 of 285 Washington towns. Graduation is above the Washington average; test scores are below it.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 18%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (274)Better than 11%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,300 test results and a graduating class of 207 could put Desert Aire anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Desert Aire’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,300 in math, 1,300 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
KMattawa Elementaryin MattawaNo scores
1–3Saddle Mountain Elementaryin MattawaNo scores
6–8Wahluke Junior Highin MattawaNo scores
9–12Wahluke High Schoolin MattawaNo scores

Desert Aire’s public schools are run by Wahluke School District, which also serves Mattawa. 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.

Wahluke School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 8 schools · 2,455 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 18.1 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$18,157WA $18,444 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading28%
State average 53.4% · 1300 students tested
Math19%
State average 40.1% · 1300 students tested

Desert Aire vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Desert AireC−Wahluke

Every school in Desert Aire

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

Also serving Desert Airein other towns
Mattawa Elementary
Elementary · Grades K · Mattawa
199 students15:1Rate it →
Saddle Mountain Elementary
Elementary · Grades 1–3 · Mattawa
470 students17:1Rate it →
Wahluke Junior High
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Mattawa
554 students18:1Rate it →
Wahluke High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Mattawa
750 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Desert Aire’s schools

Are Desert Aire’s schools good?

On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Desert Aire children attend score below 82% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #269 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Desert Aire in?

Wahluke School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,455 students in 8 schools (2024–25).

Where do Desert Aire kids go to high school?

Wahluke High School in Mattawa, with 750 students.

What is Desert Aire’s graduation rate?

85% of the class of 2023 in Wahluke School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Desert Aire spend per student?

$18,157 in Wahluke School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Desert Aire families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Desert Aire → 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 Washington. Stars are from neighbors.