Best Public Schools in Ephrata, WA

The Ephrata School District serves about 2,350 students across seven public schools, from Pre-K through high school, in a community where a significant number of families face economic challenges.

When comparing schools, Parkway School (grades 5-6) stands out as the district's top performer in state test scores, especially in science and English, while spending the least per student among the main schools. In contrast, Ephrata High School shows a notable strength in its 92% graduation rate, which is well above the state average, despite its students scoring below state averages on proficiency tests. A concerning trend across several schools, including Ephrata Middle School and Columbia Ridge Elementary, is a multi-year decline in their statewide rankings.

Key takeaways for parents include a major drop in math scores as students move from elementary to middle school, indicating a critical academic transition point. The district also shows that higher spending per student does not directly correlate with higher test performance. The overall picture is of a district that successfully keeps students in school through graduation but is working to improve academic mastery, particularly in the middle grades.