Summary:
The Moses Lake School District operates five high schools serving grades 9-12, with a total enrollment of about 2,722 students, in a district ranked in the bottom quarter statewide.
Moses Lake High School is the district's main comprehensive school, serving most students and achieving the highest graduation rate (89.2%) and best English proficiency, matching the state average. In contrast, the three alternative schools—Vanguard Academy, Digital Learning Center, and MLSD Open Doors Re-Engagement Program—serve about 30% of high schoolers and face greater challenges, with lower graduation and higher dropout rates, though Vanguard Academy shows notable improvement and has the district's highest science score. The specialized Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center offers career training with a very low student-teacher ratio.
Key takeaways include a significant district-wide struggle with math proficiency, where all schools score below the state average. There's also a performance-resource paradox, as higher spending at some alternative schools does not always lead to better core academic results. Parents should note the wide range in educational models, from traditional to online and dropout recovery, each serving different student needs and yielding different outcomes.
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