Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0Port Townsend’s public schools outscore 53% of Washington districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Port Townsend, 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.
From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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.
Port Townsend’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 186 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Port Townsend’s, its schools beat 64%, higher than their 53% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 51% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington (the state reports Port Townsend’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,945 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Blue Heron Middle School, then Port Townsend High School. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Swan 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.
What’s behind Port Townsend’s grade
B−: better than 53% of Washington school districts, #166 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Port Townsend, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Port Townsend
Salish Coast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 528 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Port Townsend
Salish Coast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 528 students · 17:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Port Townsend
Salish Coast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 528 students · 17:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Port Townsend
Salish Coast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 528 students · 17:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Port Townsend
Salish Coast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 528 students · 17:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Port Townsend
Salish Coast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 528 students · 17:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Port Townsend
Salish Coast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 528 students · 17:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Port Townsend
Blue Heron Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 222 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Port Townsend
Blue Heron Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 222 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Port Townsend
Blue Heron Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 222 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Port Townsend
Port Townsend High School
Grades 9–12 · 383 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Port Townsend
Port Townsend High School
Grades 9–12 · 383 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Port Townsend
Port Townsend High School
Grades 9–12 · 383 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Port Townsend
Port Townsend High School
Grades 9–12 · 383 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Port Townsend’s public schools are run by Port Townsend School District. 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.
Below the state in reading
Port Townsend vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Port Townsend’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Port Townsend | B− | Port Townsend |
Every school in Port Townsend
5 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).
Questions about Port Townsend’s schools
Are Port Townsend’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Washington: the public schools Port Townsend children attend outscore 53% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #166 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 64%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Port Townsend in?
Port Townsend School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,277 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Port Townsend kids go to high school?
Port Townsend High School, with 383 students.
What is Port Townsend’s graduation rate?
80–84% of the class of 2023 in Port Townsend School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Port Townsend spend per student?
$19,945 in Port Townsend School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Port Townsend?
Yes: Swan School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 75 students).
Parents talk
What Port Townsend families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Port Townsend → 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.