Jefferson County Schools & Education

Jefferson County, Washington

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

57/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

87.3%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

87.3%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 81.4%

Per-Pupil Spending

$9,034

National avg $13,239

State avg $9,250

School Score

57/100

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

#8

of 39 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Jefferson County

School Verdict

Jefferson County performs at an average level with a school score of 57/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.3%.

Funding Context

Jefferson County spends $9,034 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 Jefferson County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 12% above the Washington average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Jefferson County, Washington

Small-Town Learning in Jefferson County

Jefferson County manages 13 public schools across five districts, serving a total student population of 2,763. The infrastructure consists of 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools. Four alternative schools also provide diverse learning pathways for students in the area.

High Graduation Rates and Solid Scores

The county achieves an 87.3% graduation rate, which is higher than the state average and matches the national benchmark. Jefferson County spends $9,034 per pupil, contributing to a strong school score of 56.5. This score places the county well ahead of the Washington state average of 53.9.

Port Townsend and Chimacum Leading Districts

Port Townsend School District is the largest, educating 1,206 students in four schools. Quilcene and Chimacum districts also serve the region, with Quilcene managing the county's largest school, a PK-8 alternative program with 496 students. There are no charter schools present in the county.

Intimate Rural and Town Classrooms

With 10 rural schools and only 3 town-based schools, the educational experience here is quiet and personalized. The average school size is just 230 students, ensuring that educators can focus on individual student needs. The largest traditional facility is Port Townsend High School, which enrolls 377 students.

Settle Near Top-Performing Rural Schools

Jefferson County is a prime location for those seeking a high-quality education in a small-town or rural setting. Homebuyers often target the Port Townsend or Chimacum areas to stay close to the county's core academic institutions. Enjoy the peace of the Olympic Peninsula with the assurance of strong local school performance.

School Overview

Total Schools

13

in Jefferson County

Total Enrollment

2,763

students

School Districts

5

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary6
Middle1
High3
Other3

5 School Districts in Jefferson County

Port Townsend School District

4 schools
1,206 students

Quilcene School District

2 schools
726 students

Chimacum School District

5 schools
717 students

Brinnon School District

1 school
74 students

Queets-Clearwater School District

1 school
40 students

13 Public Schools in Jefferson County

Partnership for Excellence in Alternative Remote Learning

Quilcene School District

KG–8Alternative496 students
Salish Coast Elementary

Port Townsend School District

PK–5Primary441 students
Port Townsend High School

Port Townsend School District

9–12High377 students
Blue Heron Middle School

Port Townsend School District

6–8Middle265 students
Chimacum Junior/Senior High School

Chimacum School District

7–12High258 students
Quilcene High And Elementary

Quilcene School District

PK–12Other230 students
Chimacum Elementary School

Chimacum School District

3–6Primary211 students
Chimacum Creek Primary School

Chimacum School District

PK–2Primary191 students
OCEAN

Port Townsend School District

KG–12Alternative123 students
Brinnon Elementary

Brinnon School District

KG–8Primary74 students
PI Program

Chimacum School District

KG–12Alternative57 students
Queets-Clearwater Elementary

Queets-Clearwater School District

KG–8Primary40 students
Open Doors Reengagement Program

Chimacum School District

9–12Alternative0 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$9,034

State avg $9,250

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Jefferson County rate?
Jefferson County has a school score of 57/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Jefferson County?
The high school graduation rate in Jefferson County is 87.3%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Jefferson County spend per student?
Jefferson County spends $9,034 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Jefferson County, Washington — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Jefferson County, Washington?

Jefferson County manages 13 public schools across five districts, serving a total student population of 2,763. The infrastructure consists of 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools. Four alternative schools also provide diverse learning pathways for students in the area.

How do schools in Jefferson County perform academically?

The county achieves an 87.3% graduation rate, which is higher than the state average and matches the national benchmark. Jefferson County spends $9,034 per pupil, contributing to a strong school score of 56.5. This score places the county well ahead of the Washington state average of 53.9.

What are the major school districts in Jefferson County, Washington?

Port Townsend School District is the largest, educating 1,206 students in four schools. Quilcene and Chimacum districts also serve the region, with Quilcene managing the county's largest school, a PK-8 alternative program with 496 students. There are no charter schools present in the county.

What is the school experience like in Jefferson County?

With 10 rural schools and only 3 town-based schools, the educational experience here is quiet and personalized. The average school size is just 230 students, ensuring that educators can focus on individual student needs. The largest traditional facility is Port Townsend High School, which enrolls 377 students.

How can I find homes near good schools in Jefferson County, Washington?

Jefferson County is a prime location for those seeking a high-quality education in a small-town or rural setting. Homebuyers often target the Port Townsend or Chimacum areas to stay close to the county's core academic institutions. Enjoy the peace of the Olympic Peninsula with the assurance of strong local school performance.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.