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White Center - DelridgePhoto: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in White Center · Highline School District

White Center’s public schools score below 79% of Washington districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 24% of White Center’s students scored proficient, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving White Center, 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.

#259of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 88% 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
37%
▼ 16 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
24%
▼ 16 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 5 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$21.3K
▲ 15% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.1
WA 17.7
Schools in town
6
2,738 students on the public path
In brief

White Center’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 275 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of White Center’s, its schools beat 13%, lower than their 21% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 88% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,280 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Cascade Middle School, then Evergreen High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Explorer West Middle School (private) and The Bridge School (private) are in town. Highline Public Schools 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind White Center’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 21% of Washington school districts, #259 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 21%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (275)Better than 13%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 8,370 test results and a graduating class of 1,496 could put White Center anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 88% of White Center’s students in the tested grades sat them (8,350 in math, 8,389 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–8Cascade Middle SchoolHighline School DistrictNo scores
9–12Evergreen High SchoolHighline School DistrictNo scores

White Center’s public schools are run by Highline School District, which also serves Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park and SeaTac. 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.

Highline School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 36 schools · 18,072 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 18.1 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$21,280WA $18,444 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading37%
State average 53.4% · 8389 students tested
Math24%
State average 40.1% · 8350 students tested

White Center vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
White CenterC−Highline
SeattleASeattle
BurienC−Highline

Every school in White Center

7 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).

District schools in White Centerby address
White Center Heights Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Seattle
527 students18:1Rate it →
Mount View Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Seattle
460 students18:1Rate it →
Cascade Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Seattle
671 students17:1Rate it →
Evergreen High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Seattle
1,080 students21:1Rate it →
Online schools based in White Centernot counted as local schools
Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy
Grades PK–12 · Seattle
Online
208 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Explorer West Middle School
Elementary · Grades 6–8 · Seattle
Private · Nonsectarian
106 students9:1Rate it →
The Bridge School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Seattle
Private · Nonsectarian
34 students10:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Head Start).

Questions about White Center’s schools

Are White Center’s schools good?

On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools White Center children attend score below 79% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #259 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is White Center in?

Highline School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 18,072 students in 36 schools (2024–25).

Where do White Center kids go to high school?

Evergreen High School in Seattle, with 1,080 students.

What is White Center’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in Highline School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does White Center spend per student?

$21,280 in Highline School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in White Center?

Yes: Explorer West Middle School (nonsectarian, grades 6–8, 106 students) and The Bridge School (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 34 students).

Parents talk

What White Center families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near White Center → 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.