Summary:
The Wapato School District operates three public high schools serving grades 9-12, with a total enrollment of nearly 1,000 students in a district that ranks among the lowest in Washington state.
The main school, Wapato High School, serves the vast majority of students and stands out for its strong 93.4% graduation rate, which is well above the state average, and for having the best academic performance in English and Science within the district. In contrast, Pace Alternative High School is a much smaller program with a history of very high dropout rates despite having the highest per-student spending and the smallest class sizes, indicating it serves students with significant challenges. The Wapato Online Academy 9-12 is a very small, low-cost virtual option with the lowest economic disadvantage rate among the three.
Overall, the district's graduation rate is a strength, but academic proficiency, especially in mathematics where all schools struggle significantly, remains a major challenge. There are dramatic differences in resources, with per-student spending at Pace Alternative being over six times higher than at the Online Academy. Parents should note that while Wapato High School successfully graduates most of its students, its consistent low state ranking shows that core academic achievement needs improvement across the district.
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