Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Spokane’s public schools outscore 64% of Washington districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Spokane, 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 92% 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.
Spokane’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 228 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Spokane’s, its schools beat 72%, higher than their 64% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 51% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,051 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
32 elementary schools, then 12 middle and eight high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Spokane International Academy, Innovation High School, Lumen High School, Enlightium Academy (private), Gonzaga Preparatory School (private), Cataldo Catholic School (private), St. Aloysius Catholic School (private), Assumption Parish School (private), Southside Christian School (private), Trinity Catholic School (private), St. Charles Catholic School (private), All Saints Catholic School Spokane (private), Windsong School (private), All Saints Catholic School (private), Summit Christian Academy (private), Faith Baptist Academy (private), Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame (private), Beautiful Savior Early Learning Center (private), Spokane Falls Montessori School (private), Montessori Central Association (private), Salish School of Spokane (private), Childrens House Montessori (private), Arise Christian Academy (private) and Riverday School (private) are in town. Spokane Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Spokane’s grade
B: better than 64% of Washington school districts, #139 of 285 Washington towns. Graduation is above the Washington average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Spokane, with each school’s own grade.
Spokane’s public schools are run by Spokane Public Schools. Parts of Spokane (16% and 4% of its land) are served by Cheney and Mead instead. 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
Spokane vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Spokane’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane | B | Spokane |
| Airway Heights | B | Cheney |
| Spokane Valley | B+ | Central Valley PK–12 · East Valley PK–12 |
Every school in Spokane
81 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).
Left off: 8 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Structural Alt Confinement School, Spokane Area Professional-Technical Skills Center, Pratt Academy, Spokane Regional Health District, Sacred Heart Hospital, Shrine Hospital, Spokane County Jail and West Central Community Center).
Questions about Spokane’s schools
Are Spokane’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Washington: the public schools Spokane children attend outscore 64% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #139 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 72%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Spokane in?
Spokane Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 28,853 students in 62 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Spokane are served by Cheney and Mead.
Where do Spokane kids go to high school?
One of 8 high schools, depending on your address: Lewis & Clark High School, North Central High School, Ferris High School, Rogers High School, Shadle Park High School, The Community School, A-3 Multiagency Adolescent Prog and Alternative Tamarack School.
What is Spokane’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Spokane Public Schools graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Spokane spend per student?
$19,051 in Spokane Public Schools (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Spokane?
Yes: Enlightium Academy (religious, grades K–12, 3,722 students), Gonzaga Preparatory School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 778 students), Cataldo Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 389 students), St. Aloysius Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 318 students), Assumption Parish School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 234 students), Southside Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 205 students), Trinity Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 204 students), St. Charles Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 188 students), All Saints Catholic School Spokane (Catholic, grades PK–8, 143 students), Windsong School (nonsectarian, grades K–7, 137 students), All Saints Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–4, 136 students), Summit Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–10, 107 students), Faith Baptist Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 105 students), Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame (Catholic, grades 9–12, 104 students), Beautiful Savior Early Learning Center (religious, grades PK–K, 59 students), Spokane Falls Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 51 students), Montessori Central Association (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 44 students), Salish School of Spokane (nonsectarian, grades PK–7, 34 students), Childrens House Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 22 students), Arise Christian Academy (religious, grades K–5, 16 students) and Riverday School (nonsectarian, grades 3–6, 9 students). Spokane also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Spokane families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Spokane → 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.