Photo: Squarestate7 · CC BY-SA 3.0Walla Walla’s public schools score below 53% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 33% of Walla Walla’s students scored proficient, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Walla Walla, 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 95% 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.
Walla Walla’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 215 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Walla Walla’s, its schools beat 54%, higher than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,616 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Assumption School (private) and Desales Catholic High School (private) are in town. Walla Walla Online, 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 Walla Walla’s grade
B−: better than 47% of Washington school districts, #181 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 Walla Walla, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Walla Walla · depends on your address
Head Start
Grades PK · 112 students
Walla Walla Center for Children and Families
Grades PK–K · 108 students
6th grade in Walla Walla · depends on your address
Pioneer Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 601 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Garrison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 546 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Walla Walla · depends on your address
Pioneer Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 601 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Garrison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 546 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Walla Walla · depends on your address
Pioneer Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 601 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Garrison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 546 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Walla Walla County Juvenile Detention
Grades 8–12 · 5 students · 5:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Walla Walla
Walla Walla County Juvenile Detention
Grades 8–12 · 5 students · 5:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Walla Walla
Walla Walla County Juvenile Detention
Grades 8–12 · 5 students · 5:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Walla Walla
Walla Walla County Juvenile Detention
Grades 8–12 · 5 students · 5:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Walla Walla
Walla Walla County Juvenile Detention
Grades 8–12 · 5 students · 5:1 students per teacher
Walla Walla’s public schools are run by Walla Walla Public Schools. Parts of Walla Walla (5% of its land) are served by College Place 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.
Well below the state in reading
Walla Walla vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Walla Walla’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla | B− | Walla Walla |
| College Place | B− | College Place |
Every school in Walla Walla
16 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Se Area Technical Skills Center and Eceap).
Questions about Walla Walla’s schools
Are Walla Walla’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Walla Walla children attend score below 53% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #181 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 54%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Walla Walla in?
Walla Walla Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,410 students in 16 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Walla Walla are served by College Place.
Where do Walla Walla kids go to high school?
Walla Walla County Juvenile Detention, with 5 students.
What is Walla Walla’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Walla Walla Public Schools graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Walla Walla spend per student?
$17,616 in Walla Walla Public Schools (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Walla Walla?
Yes: Assumption School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 213 students) and Desales Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 7–12, 129 students).
Parents talk
What Walla Walla families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Walla Walla → 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.