High Schools in White Salmon Valley School District

The White Salmon Valley School District in Washington serves high school students through two distinct schools: the comprehensive Columbia High School (grades 9-12, 361 students) and the smaller, alternative White Salmon Academy (35 students), together educating 396 students.

Columbia High School is the district's primary high school and shows several areas of strength, including a 91% graduation rate that exceeds state averages and particularly high science proficiency. However, its math scores are notably lower than both district and state averages, indicating a potential area for focus. The school has shown a positive trend of improvement in state rankings over recent years. In comparison, White Salmon Academy serves a different student population with a higher concentration of economic need and a much higher student-to-teacher ratio, graduating 72% of its students.

Overall, the district's high school graduation rate of 87.9% is above the Washington state average. A key finding is the disparity in resources and outcomes between the two schools; the alternative academy operates with significantly less funding per student and a larger class size despite serving a vulnerable population. Parents should note the district's overall strong performance in graduation and science, while being aware of the math performance gap at the comprehensive high school and the different support structures available at the alternative program.