Best Public Schools in Kennewick, WA

Kennewick, Washington, is served by 32 public schools across the Kennewick School District and the Finley School District, educating roughly 17,000 students from preschool through high school, including several alternative education programs.

Academic performance varies widely across the area, with clear standout schools like top-ranked Kamiakin High School (90.8% graduation rate) and Ridge View Elementary School, contrasting with schools like Amistad Elementary School and Finley Elementary that face significant academic challenges. The Kennewick School District as a whole performs slightly below state averages, particularly in math proficiency, where it trails the state by nearly 7 percentage points.

Key findings show a strong link between school performance and economic factors, with higher-performing schools typically having lower rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Alternative schools present a mixed picture, with some achieving strong results in specific subjects despite overall challenges. Notably, the amount of funding per student does not consistently predict performance, suggesting how resources are used is critical. Parents should note that several high schools have shown declining performance rankings in recent years.