Summary:
The Vancouver School District serves high school students across nine schools, including traditional comprehensive high schools, selective magnet programs, and smaller alternative options, with a total enrollment of over 6,500 students.
Academic performance varies widely across the district. The standout schools are the magnet programs, Vancouver School of Arts and Academics and Vancouver iTech Preparatory, along with Columbia River High, which consistently rank among the top in the state and far exceed district averages in test proficiency. In contrast, Fort Vancouver High School and Hudson's Bay High School face significant challenges, with proficiency rates well below state averages and higher dropout rates.
Key takeaways for parents include a pronounced district-wide struggle with mathematics, where no school meets the state average. There is also a clear link between higher academic performance and lower rates of economic need among the student population. While per-student spending and class sizes vary, these factors do not show a direct correlation with outcomes; for example, Skyview High School achieves the highest graduation rate with the largest average class size. The district's alternative programs, like Gate Work Study Program and Lewis and Clark High School, operate with very different models and resources, making direct comparison to comprehensive schools difficult.
Thank you for your feedback!