Kittitas County Schools & Education
Kittitas County, Washington
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
56/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
87.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,899
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
56/100
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
#9
of 39 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Kittitas County
School Verdict
Kittitas County performs at an average level with a school score of 56/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.2%.
Funding Context
Kittitas County spends $8,899 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 Kittitas County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 11% above the Washington average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Kittitas County, Washington
A Compact Educational Framework
Kittitas County maintains 20 public schools managed by six school districts for its 5,204 students. The system features seven elementary and six high schools, creating a streamlined pathway from early learning to graduation. There are currently no charter schools operating within the county.
Exceeding National Graduation Benchmarks
Kittitas shines with an 87.2% graduation rate, beating both the state average and the national 87% benchmark. This success comes despite a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $8,899, which is below the state average. The county's school score of 56.2 reflects high efficiency and strong academic outcomes.
Ellensburg Leads the Local Region
The Ellensburg School District is the primary educator, serving 3,238 students across eight schools. Cle Elum-Roslyn and Kittitas School Districts manage the remaining student population with four schools each. These districts emphasize community-based learning without the presence of alternative charter models.
Small-Town Feel and Rural Learning
Education here is defined by 11 town-based and nine rural schools with a modest average size of 289 students. Ellensburg High School is the largest campus in the county, hosting 938 students. This smaller scale ensures that most students experience a tight-knit, personalized academic environment.
Quality Education in a Rural Setting
With graduation rates exceeding the national average, Kittitas County is a hidden gem for families seeking high-performing schools. Moving to areas like Ellensburg ensures access to the county's most robust educational resources. High school performance is a key factor to consider when evaluating homes in this growing region.
School Overview
Total Schools
20
in Kittitas County
Total Enrollment
5,204
students
School Districts
6
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
6 School Districts in Kittitas County
Ellensburg School District
Cle Elum-Roslyn School District
Kittitas School District
Thorp School District
Easton School District
Damman School District
20 Public Schools in Kittitas County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellensburg High School | Ellensburg School District | 9–12 | High | 938 |
| Morgan Middle School | Ellensburg School District | 6–8 | Middle | 778 |
| Cle Elum Roslyn Elementary | Cle Elum-Roslyn School District | PK–5 | Primary | 458 |
| Valley View Elementary School | Ellensburg School District | KG–5 | Primary | 395 |
| Mt. Stuart Elementary | Ellensburg School District | KG–5 | Primary | 356 |
| Lincoln Elementary | Ellensburg School District | KG–5 | Primary | 338 |
| Kittitas High School | Kittitas School District | 6–12 | High | 334 |
| Ida Nason Aronica Elementary | Ellensburg School District | KG–5 | Primary | 279 |
| Kittitas Elementary School | Kittitas School District | KG–5 | Primary | 270 |
| Thorp Elem & Jr Sr High | Thorp School District | KG–12 | Other | 257 |
| Cle Elum Roslyn High School | Cle Elum-Roslyn School District | 9–12 | High | 256 |
| Walter Strom Middle School | Cle Elum-Roslyn School District | 6–8 | Middle | 236 |
| K-12 Ellensburg Learning Center | Ellensburg School District | KG–12 | Alternative | 94 |
| Easton School | Easton School District | KG–12 | Other | 82 |
| Early Learning Center | Ellensburg School District | PK | Special Education | 60 |
| Damman Elementary | Damman School District | KG–5 | Primary | 42 |
| Swiftwater Alternative High School | Cle Elum-Roslyn School District | 9–12 | Alternative | 22 |
| Parke Creek Treatment Ctr | Kittitas School District | 8–12 | High | 9 |
| Easton Secondary School | Easton School District | 7–12 | High | 0 |
| Kittitas B-5 Special Ed Program | Kittitas School District | PK | Special Education | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,899
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Kittitas County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Kittitas County?
How much does Kittitas County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Kittitas County, Washington — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Kittitas County, Washington?
Kittitas County maintains 20 public schools managed by six school districts for its 5,204 students. The system features seven elementary and six high schools, creating a streamlined pathway from early learning to graduation. There are currently no charter schools operating within the county.
How do schools in Kittitas County perform academically?
Kittitas shines with an 87.2% graduation rate, beating both the state average and the national 87% benchmark. This success comes despite a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $8,899, which is below the state average. The county's school score of 56.2 reflects high efficiency and strong academic outcomes.
What are the major school districts in Kittitas County, Washington?
The Ellensburg School District is the primary educator, serving 3,238 students across eight schools. Cle Elum-Roslyn and Kittitas School Districts manage the remaining student population with four schools each. These districts emphasize community-based learning without the presence of alternative charter models.
What is the school experience like in Kittitas County?
Education here is defined by 11 town-based and nine rural schools with a modest average size of 289 students. Ellensburg High School is the largest campus in the county, hosting 938 students. This smaller scale ensures that most students experience a tight-knit, personalized academic environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Kittitas County, Washington?
With graduation rates exceeding the national average, Kittitas County is a hidden gem for families seeking high-performing schools. Moving to areas like Ellensburg ensures access to the county's most robust educational resources. High school performance is a key factor to consider when evaluating homes in this growing region.
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.