High Schools in Wahluke School District

Wahluke School District has two high schools in Mattawa: Wahluke High School, serving grades 9–12 with 750 students, and Sentinel Technical Alt School, serving grades 6–12 with 36 students. Both schools serve communities with similarly high levels of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, but they differ considerably in size, structure, staffing, and outcomes.

Wahluke High School is the stronger choice for overall completion outcomes. Its 90.3% graduation rate is higher than both the district rate of 87.2% and the state rate of 82.6%, while its 5.8% dropout rate is below both comparison rates. The school also has a more favorable student-teacher ratio, 20.1 students per teacher compared with 36 at Sentinel Technical Alt School. Academically, Wahluke exceeded district proficiency levels in English, math, and science in 2025–2026, but remained below state results, particularly in math and science. Its scores declined in all three subjects from the previous year, with science falling the most.

Sentinel Technical Alt School stands out for its reported 60% science proficiency rate, which was above both the district and state averages. However, its small enrollment means percentages can change substantially from year to year, and its English and math results were suppressed rather than reported. Sentinel’s 62.5% graduation rate and 20.8% dropout rate are substantially weaker than those at Wahluke. Because it is a small alternative school serving a broader grade range, its students and programs may differ from those at a traditional high school. Overall, families seeking stronger graduation and attendance-related outcomes will likely find Wahluke more favorable, while Sentinel’s science result is an encouraging but limited strength.