Cowlitz County Schools & Education
Cowlitz County, Washington
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
47/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
84.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
84.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,528
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
47/100
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
#26
of 39 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Cowlitz County
School Verdict
Cowlitz County has average school quality (score: 47/100) with a graduation rate of 84.1%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Cowlitz County spends $8,528 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 Cowlitz County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% below the Washington average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Cowlitz County, Washington
Diverse Schooling on the Columbia River
Cowlitz County manages 48 public schools serving 17,049 students across seven school districts. The infrastructure includes 21 elementary, eight middle, and 14 high schools, plus eight alternative learning centers. This network provides comprehensive coverage for the county's industrial and residential centers.
Solid Graduation and Efficient Spending
The county's graduation rate is 84.1%, notably higher than the Washington state average of 81.4%. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $8,528, supporting a composite school score of 53.7. These figures indicate a system that is performing efficiently compared to state benchmarks.
Longview and Kelso Anchor Education
Longview School District is the largest, managing 18 schools and 6,311 students, while Kelso School District serves 4,940 students. Woodland School District also provides significant service with 2,432 students. No charter schools are active, as the established districts cover the county's diverse educational needs.
A Mix of Urban and Rural Settings
Schools are distributed across 19 city, 11 suburban, and nine rural locations, with an average size of 363 students. Kelso High School is the county's largest campus with 1,424 students, while town-based elementary schools offer smaller, local environments. This mix caters to both metropolitan families and those in outlying timber and farm lands.
Relocate to Kelso or Longview
Homes in the Kelso and Longview districts are popular due to their proximity to high-performing secondary schools. Families often search for properties near Lexington Elementary or Castle Rock to secure a spot in these established programs. Your next home in Cowlitz County offers a balance of industrial opportunity and reliable public education.
School Overview
Total Schools
48
in Cowlitz County
Total Enrollment
17,049
students
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
7 School Districts in Cowlitz County
Longview School District
Kelso School District
Woodland School District
Castle Rock School District
Kalama School District
Toutle Lake School District
Educational Service District 112
48 Public Schools in Cowlitz County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelso High School | Kelso School District | 9–12 | High | 1,424 |
| R A Long High School | Longview School District | 9–12 | High | 922 |
| Mark Morris High School | Longview School District | 9–12 | High | 914 |
| Lexington Elementary | Kelso School District | KG–5 | Primary | 798 |
| Castle Rock Elementary | Castle Rock School District | PK–5 | Primary | 702 |
| Woodland Middle School | Woodland School District | 5–8 | Middle | 682 |
| Woodland High School | Woodland School District | 9–12 | High | 658 |
| Coweeman Middle School | Kelso School District | 6–8 | Middle | 570 |
| Kalama Elem School | Kalama School District | KG–5 | Primary | 562 |
| Huntington Middle School | Kelso School District | 6–8 | Middle | 539 |
| Monticello Middle School | Longview School District | 6–8 | Middle | 494 |
| Cascade Middle School | Longview School District | 6–8 | Middle | 462 |
| Castle Rock High School | Castle Rock School District | 9–12 | High | 449 |
| North Fork Elementary School | Woodland School District | KG–4 | Primary | 445 |
| Columbia Elementary School | Woodland School District | PK–4 | Primary | 428 |
| Mint Valley Elementary | Longview School District | KG–5 | Primary | 416 |
| Robert Gray Elementary | Longview School District | KG–5 | Primary | 414 |
| Mt. Solo Middle School | Longview School District | 6–8 | Middle | 408 |
| Butler Acres Elementary | Kelso School District | KG–5 | Primary | 406 |
| Toutle Lake Elementary | Toutle Lake School District | KG–6 | Primary | 390 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,528
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Cowlitz County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Cowlitz County?
How much does Cowlitz County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Cowlitz County, Washington — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Cowlitz County, Washington?
Cowlitz County manages 48 public schools serving 17,049 students across seven school districts. The infrastructure includes 21 elementary, eight middle, and 14 high schools, plus eight alternative learning centers. This network provides comprehensive coverage for the county's industrial and residential centers.
How do schools in Cowlitz County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate is 84.1%, notably higher than the Washington state average of 81.4%. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $8,528, supporting a composite school score of 53.7. These figures indicate a system that is performing efficiently compared to state benchmarks.
What are the major school districts in Cowlitz County, Washington?
Longview School District is the largest, managing 18 schools and 6,311 students, while Kelso School District serves 4,940 students. Woodland School District also provides significant service with 2,432 students. No charter schools are active, as the established districts cover the county's diverse educational needs.
What is the school experience like in Cowlitz County?
Schools are distributed across 19 city, 11 suburban, and nine rural locations, with an average size of 363 students. Kelso High School is the county's largest campus with 1,424 students, while town-based elementary schools offer smaller, local environments. This mix caters to both metropolitan families and those in outlying timber and farm lands.
How can I find homes near good schools in Cowlitz County, Washington?
Homes in the Kelso and Longview districts are popular due to their proximity to high-performing secondary schools. Families often search for properties near Lexington Elementary or Castle Rock to secure a spot in these established programs. Your next home in Cowlitz County offers a balance of industrial opportunity and reliable public education.
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.