Mason County Schools & Education
Mason County, Washington
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
48/100
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
$9,068
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
48/100
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
#20
of 39 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Mason County
School Verdict
Mason County has average school quality (score: 48/100) with a graduation rate of 83.2%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Mason County spends $9,068 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 Mason County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 5% below the Washington average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Mason County, Washington
Developing the Next Generation
Mason County features 26 public schools serving 8,573 students across seven districts. The system includes 10 elementary and eight high schools, providing a comprehensive education path. The county balances a mix of town-based centers and remote rural schoolhouses.
Meeting State Graduation Standards
Mason County achieves an 83.2% graduation rate, which sits above the Washington state average of 81.4%. Per-pupil expenditure is $9,068, slightly trailing the state's $9,250 average investment. The resulting school score of 54.4 remains slightly above the state median of 53.9.
Shelton and North Mason Districts
The Shelton School District is the largest, managing 10 schools and 4,540 students. North Mason School District serves another 2,309 students across eight schools. These traditional districts provide the vast majority of local education, as there are no charter schools in the county.
A Mix of Town and Rural Learning
The county is split between 14 town schools and 12 rural schools, with an average enrollment of 357 students. Shelton High School is the most prominent facility, serving 1,473 students and acting as a central community hub. This mix offers families a choice between larger town campuses and smaller country schools.
Strong Community Schools in Mason
Mason County's above-average graduation rates make it a solid choice for families looking for a stable educational environment. Homes near Shelton or Belfair provide the closest access to the county's largest districts and secondary schools. Investing in property here means joining a community that prioritizes steady academic growth.
School Overview
Total Schools
26
in Mason County
Total Enrollment
8,573
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 Mason County
Shelton School District
North Mason School District
Pioneer School District
Hood Canal School District
Grapeview School District
Southside School District
Centralia College
26 Public Schools in Mason County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelton High School | Shelton School District | 9–12 | High | 1,473 |
| Mountain View Elementary | Shelton School District | PK–4 | Primary | 676 |
| North Mason Senior High School | North Mason School District | 9–12 | High | 663 |
| Oakland Bay Junior High School | Shelton School District | 7–8 | Middle | 616 |
| Olympic Middle School | Shelton School District | 5–6 | Middle | 538 |
| Sand Hill Elementary | North Mason School District | KG–5 | Primary | 534 |
| Bordeaux Elementary School | Shelton School District | KG–4 | Primary | 504 |
| Pioneer Elementary School | Pioneer School District | PK–5 | Primary | 503 |
| Hawkins Middle School | North Mason School District | 6–8 | Middle | 474 |
| Belfair Elementary | North Mason School District | PK–5 | Primary | 461 |
| Evergreen Elementary School | Shelton School District | PK–4 | Primary | 429 |
| Hood Canal Elementary School | Hood Canal School District | PK–8 | Primary | 346 |
| Grapeview Elementary & Middle School | Grapeview School District | KG–8 | Primary | 241 |
| Pioneer Middle School | Pioneer School District | 6–8 | Middle | 241 |
| Southside Elementary | Southside School District | KG–7 | Primary | 195 |
| Choice Middle and High School | Shelton School District | 7–12 | Alternative | 185 |
| Mary M. Knight School | Mary M Knight School District | PK–12 | Other | 183 |
| North Mason Homelink Program | North Mason School District | KG–12 | Alternative | 105 |
| Cedar High School | Shelton School District | 9–12 | High | 92 |
| James A. Taylor High School | North Mason School District | 9–12 | Alternative | 46 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,068
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Mason County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Mason County?
How much does Mason County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Mason County, Washington — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Mason County, Washington?
Mason County features 26 public schools serving 8,573 students across seven districts. The system includes 10 elementary and eight high schools, providing a comprehensive education path. The county balances a mix of town-based centers and remote rural schoolhouses.
How do schools in Mason County perform academically?
Mason County achieves an 83.2% graduation rate, which sits above the Washington state average of 81.4%. Per-pupil expenditure is $9,068, slightly trailing the state's $9,250 average investment. The resulting school score of 54.4 remains slightly above the state median of 53.9.
What are the major school districts in Mason County, Washington?
The Shelton School District is the largest, managing 10 schools and 4,540 students. North Mason School District serves another 2,309 students across eight schools. These traditional districts provide the vast majority of local education, as there are no charter schools in the county.
What is the school experience like in Mason County?
The county is split between 14 town schools and 12 rural schools, with an average enrollment of 357 students. Shelton High School is the most prominent facility, serving 1,473 students and acting as a central community hub. This mix offers families a choice between larger town campuses and smaller country schools.
How can I find homes near good schools in Mason County, Washington?
Mason County's above-average graduation rates make it a solid choice for families looking for a stable educational environment. Homes near Shelton or Belfair provide the closest access to the county's largest districts and secondary schools. Investing in property here means joining a community that prioritizes steady academic growth.
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.