Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Yakima’s public schools score below 78% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
26% of students in Yakima’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Yakima, 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 93% 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.
Yakima’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
75% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Yakima spends $18,105 per student and West Valley $15,288, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Joseph Marquette Catholic School (private), Christ the Teacher Catholic School (private), Montessori School of Yakima (private), West Chestnut Academy (private), St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Christian School (private) and Grace Lutheran School (private) are in town. Yakima 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 Yakima’s grade
C−: better than 22% of Washington school districts, #253 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 Yakima, with each school’s own grade.
Yakima runs its own schools through grade 12 (Yakima School District). From grade PK, students attend the West Valley School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Yakima
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
Yakima vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Yakima’s borders.
Every school in Yakima
36 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: 6 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Naches Valley Esd 105 Open Doors, Wapato ESD 105 Open Doors, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital dba Children's Village, Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center, Yakima Satellite Alternative Programs and Yakima Adult Jail).
Questions about Yakima’s schools
Are Yakima’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Yakima children attend score below 78% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #253 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 22%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Yakima in?
Two districts: Yakima School District runs grades PK–12, and West Valley School District runs grades PK–12.
Where do Yakima kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Davis High School, Eisenhower High School, Juvenile Detention Center and Ridgeview Group Home.
What is Yakima’s graduation rate?
75% of the class of 2023 in Yakima School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Yakima spend per student?
$18,105 in Yakima School District and $15,288 in West Valley School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Yakima?
Yes: St. Joseph Marquette Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 310 students), Christ the Teacher Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 208 students), Montessori School of Yakima (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 132 students), West Chestnut Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 98 students), St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Christian School (religious, grades K–7, 30 students) and Grace Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–K, 8 students).
Parents talk
What Yakima families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Yakima → 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.