Chelan County Schools & Education
Chelan County, Washington
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
50/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
83.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
83.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,390
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
50/100
Higher = better
State avg 51/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#18
of 39 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Chelan County
School Verdict
Chelan County has average school quality (score: 50/100) with a graduation rate of 83.2%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Chelan County spends $9,390 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Chelan County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 2% below the Washington average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Chelan County, Washington
Education Across the Cascades
Chelan County operates 42 public schools serving 12,644 students across eight different districts. The landscape includes 17 elementary schools and 12 high schools, providing coverage from urban Wenatchee to remote mountain towns. Five alternative schools and one special education center round out the specialized offerings.
Strong Graduation Rates and State-Leading Spending
The county achieves an 83.2% graduation rate, which is higher than the Washington state average of 81.4%. Investment is a priority here, with per-pupil spending at $9,390, exceeding the state average of $9,250. These figures result in a solid school score of 55.1, well above the national median.
Wenatchee District Anchors the Valley
Wenatchee School District is the largest provider, educating 7,347 students across 19 schools. The county also hosts one charter school, making up 2.4% of the total school inventory. Cascade and Lake Chelan districts also serve significant rural and resort-town student populations.
A Mix of City and Small-Town Life
The county features 18 city schools and 14 town-based schools, with an average enrollment of 301 students. Wenatchee High School is the standout largest campus with 2,076 students, providing a contrast to smaller rural sites like those in Cashmere. This diversity offers families a choice between large-scale opportunities and intimate community schools.
Scenic Living Near Quality Schools
Finding a home near Wenatchee High or the Cashmere schools puts families in high-performing areas with strong graduation rates. School quality is a major driver of property values in the Chelan and Wenatchee valleys. Explore real estate in these districts to combine outdoor recreation with solid academic foundations.
School Overview
Total Schools
42
in Chelan County
Total Enrollment
12,644
students
School Districts
8
districts
Charter Schools
1
2% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
8 School Districts in Chelan County
Wenatchee School District
CASHMERE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Lake Chelan School District
Cascade School District
Manson School District
Entiat School District
Pinnacles Prep Charter School
Stehekin School District
42 Public Schools in Chelan County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee High School | Wenatchee School District | 9–12 | High | 2,076 |
| Pioneer Middle School | Wenatchee School District | 6–8 | Middle | 597 |
| Foothills Middle School | Wenatchee School District | 6–8 | Middle | 578 |
| VALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CASHMERE SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 571 |
| CASHMERE MIDDLE SCHOOL | CASHMERE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 506 |
| CASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL | CASHMERE SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 503 |
| Washington Elementary School | Wenatchee School District | KG–5 | Primary | 494 |
| Morgen Owings Elementary School | Lake Chelan School District | KG–5 | Primary | 489 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary | Wenatchee School District | KG–5 | Primary | 465 |
| Mission View Elementary School | Wenatchee School District | KG–5 | Primary | 457 |
| Chelan High School | Lake Chelan School District | 9–12 | High | 446 |
| Lewis And Clark Elementary Sch | Wenatchee School District | KG–5 | Primary | 430 |
| John Newbery Elementary | Wenatchee School District | KG–5 | Primary | 420 |
| Orchard Middle School | Wenatchee School District | 6–8 | Middle | 403 |
| Cascade High School | Cascade School District | 9–12 | High | 397 |
| Columbia Elementary School | Wenatchee School District | KG–5 | Primary | 335 |
| Chelan Middle School | Lake Chelan School District | 6–8 | Middle | 324 |
| Sunnyslope Elementary School | Wenatchee School District | KG–5 | Primary | 305 |
| Westside High School | Wenatchee School District | 9–12 | Alternative | 297 |
| Peshastin Dryden Elementary | Cascade School District | PK–2 | Primary | 289 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,390
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Chelan County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Chelan County?
How much does Chelan County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Chelan County, Washington — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Chelan County, Washington?
Chelan County operates 42 public schools serving 12,644 students across eight different districts. The landscape includes 17 elementary schools and 12 high schools, providing coverage from urban Wenatchee to remote mountain towns. Five alternative schools and one special education center round out the specialized offerings.
How do schools in Chelan County perform academically?
The county achieves an 83.2% graduation rate, which is higher than the Washington state average of 81.4%. Investment is a priority here, with per-pupil spending at $9,390, exceeding the state average of $9,250. These figures result in a solid school score of 55.1, well above the national median.
What are the major school districts in Chelan County, Washington?
Wenatchee School District is the largest provider, educating 7,347 students across 19 schools. The county also hosts one charter school, making up 2.4% of the total school inventory. Cascade and Lake Chelan districts also serve significant rural and resort-town student populations.
What is the school experience like in Chelan County?
The county features 18 city schools and 14 town-based schools, with an average enrollment of 301 students. Wenatchee High School is the standout largest campus with 2,076 students, providing a contrast to smaller rural sites like those in Cashmere. This diversity offers families a choice between large-scale opportunities and intimate community schools.
How can I find homes near good schools in Chelan County, Washington?
Finding a home near Wenatchee High or the Cashmere schools puts families in high-performing areas with strong graduation rates. School quality is a major driver of property values in the Chelan and Wenatchee valleys. Explore real estate in these districts to combine outdoor recreation with solid academic foundations.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.