Pasco School District

The Pasco School District is a large district of 26 schools serving about 17,000 students from elementary through high school, characterized by significant variation in school performance and student demographics.

Academic results across the district vary dramatically. Standout elementary schools like Ruth Livingston Elementary and Edwin Markham Elementary achieve proficiency rates well above the district average and compete with top schools statewide. In contrast, several other elementary schools, including Captain Gray STEM Elementary and Rowena Chess Elementary, face profound challenges, with proficiency rates in the single digits. At the high school level, Chiawana Senior High School excels with a 93% graduation rate, while New Horizons High School, an alternative school, serves a high-needs population with a much lower graduation rate.

The data shows a strong link between economic disadvantage and academic outcomes, with the highest-poverty schools consistently ranking lowest. However, the success of schools like Ruth Livingston Elementary and Chiawana Senior High School demonstrates that effective school practices can lead to strong results even within a challenging context. Middle schools like Ray Reynolds Middle School and Mcloughlin Middle School perform better than Stevens Middle School and Ellen Ochoa Middle School, highlighting middle school as a critical point for student support.