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Kent-Meridian High School

Q: Is Kent-Meridian High School a good school?

Kent-Meridian High School ranks in the bottom 9.1% of Washington high schools.

Q: How many students attend Kent-Meridian High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,639 students attended Kent-Meridian High School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Kent-Meridian High School?

Students at Kent-Meridian High School are 40% Hispanic, 19% Asian, 15% African American, 14% White, 6% Pacific Islander, 6% Two or more races.

Q: What schools feed into Kent-Meridian High School?

Kent-Meridian High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : East Hill Elementary School Elementary : George T. Daniel Elementary School Elementary : Kent Elementary School Elementary : Meadow Ridge Elementary School Elementary : Neely O Brien Elementary School Elementary : Scenic Hill Elementary School Middle : Mill Creek Middle School

Public Grades 9-12

360^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 396 Washington High Schools

Better than 9% of Washington high schools

Summary

Kent-Meridian High School is a large public high school serving grades 9–12 in the Kent School District, with 1,639 students in a relatively high-need area of Kent, Washington. In 2024–25, 68.94% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. The school had a 20.9 student-teacher ratio and spent $19,208 per student in 2023–24. Despite those resources, it ranked 360th out of 396 Washington schools in 2025–26, around the 9th percentile, with a 0-star rating.

Academic performance is the school’s most significant concern. In 2025–26, proficiency was 41.32% in English language arts, 16.76% in math, and 14.72% in science. Math and science were especially weak compared with the district and state, and science fell sharply from 29.82% in 2024–25. Nearby Kentridge High School reported substantially higher proficiency—69.67% in ELA, 47.90% in math, and 51.14% in science—while Kentwood High School also outperformed Kent-Meridian in all three subjects. Results were generally below those at Auburn Senior High School, Auburn Mountainview High School, and Thomas Jefferson High School, particularly in science.

Student completion outcomes also warrant attention. The graduation rate dropped to 79.4% in 2024–25, while the dropout rate rose to 14.5%, higher than the district’s 9.0% and the state’s 9.8%. These results, along with low subgroup performance and a longstanding statewide ranking near the bottom, suggest persistent challenges with attendance, credit completion, instruction, and student support. There are limited positive signs: ELA and math improved from the prior year, and the statewide percentile edged up from approximately the 8th to the 9th percentile. However, the severe science decline means these changes indicate isolated improvement rather than a confirmed turnaround.

1,639

Students ?

20.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,208

Per pupil spending ?

68.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

10020 SE 256th ST
Kent, WA 98030-6408

(253) 373-7405

District: Kent School District

Feeder schools for Kent-Meridian High School:

Elementary:	East Hill Elementary School
	George T. Daniel Elementary School
	Kent Elementary School
	Meadow Ridge Elementary School
	More...
	Neely O Brien Elementary School
	Scenic Hill Elementary School
Middle:	Mill Creek Middle School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

40.2%

Asian:

18.6%

African American:

14.5%

See top rated Washington high schools

Compare Kent-Meridian High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 22nd percentile in 2016 → 9th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (26% vs 48% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (9th percentile)

!Dropout rate above the Washington average (14% vs 10%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school26%

District avg39%

Washington avg48%

360^th of 396

Washington public high schools ?

Bottom 9%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From bottom 22% (2016) to bottom 9% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 5High Schools in the Kent School District

141^st of 238Kent School District among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	13.4	360 of 396	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	12.4	401 of 438	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	19.3	367 of 437	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.0	389 of 442	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	17.2	375 of 434	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	19.3	384 of 455	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	24.6	329 of 417	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	18.9	273 of 315	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	23.7	248 of 301	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	31.0	238 of 306	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	15.2	314 of 341	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	34.5	332 of 454	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	29.9	337 of 450	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	34.2	302 of 440	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2010	28.7	324 of 423	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	29.4	310 of 402	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	29.3	312 of 396	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	29.2	312 of 399	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	28.5	307 of 395	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	37.6	278 of 394	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	34.7	273 of 390	30.0%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	16.3	68 of 77	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	9.5	78 of 80	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	21.7	56 of 70	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.6	68 of 78	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.2	79 of 89	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	29.5	85 of 111	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	24.8	73 of 86	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	18.3	50 of 54	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	5.5	75 of 81	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	4.8	118 of 119	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	12.8	105 of 113	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.9	115 of 118	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	18.4	109 of 124	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	13.6	127 of 136	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	15.0	110 of 121	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	10.7	82 of 87	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	17.6	92 of 104	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	17.1	79 of 85	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	19.7	58 of 68	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	14.1	42 of 44	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	20.7	60 of 70	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.9	90 of 102	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.8	56 of 69	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	9.6	292 of 309	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	7.5	342 of 350	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	15.2	311 of 347	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	10.9	343 of 357	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	14.1	333 of 368	9.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	18.6	333 of 390	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.0	294 of 358	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	16.8	218 of 243	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	13.5	222 of 236	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	12.0	232 of 249	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	22.4	211 of 248	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	22.8	202 of 249	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	18.9	234 of 261	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.2	219 of 278	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	24.2	196 of 241	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	19.1	143 of 156	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	13.7	305 of 325	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	10.4	337 of 355	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	19.3	320 of 356	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.1	324 of 362	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	20.4	322 of 370	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	24.8	320 of 392	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	24.8	281 of 344	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	15.3	215 of 227	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	13.5	297 of 326	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	14.2	326 of 359	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	17.2	313 of 362	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.0	304 of 358	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	15.8	322 of 363	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	18.6	340 of 395	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	23.9	286 of 355	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	14.6	233 of 254	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	19.7	94 of 121	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	27.4	133 of 170	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.6	131 of 161	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.8	141 of 166	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.2	143 of 179	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	31.1	142 of 195	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	46.8	85 of 163	47.9%	★★☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	19.6	8 of 8	0.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	34.3	24 of 33	27.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.6	14 of 18	22.2%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	13.2	140 of 144	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	26.1	94 of 127	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	40.0	57 of 110	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	23.8	177 of 212	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	20.6	118 of 128	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	30.5	233 of 319	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	17.4	327 of 373	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	14.2	339 of 374	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	20.8	317 of 379	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.4	320 of 390	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.8	373 of 413	9.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	29.2	302 of 382	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.4	194 of 222	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2026)27th percentile+18 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)22nd percentile+13 vs school

African American (2026)12th percentile+3 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)12th percentile~ school

Male (2026)9th percentile~ school

Asian (2026)7th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)6th percentile-3 vs school

Hispanic (2026)6th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2026)6th percentile-4 vs school

Special Education (2026)3rd percentile-6 vs school

Pacific Islander (2025)<1st percentile-8 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts41%-11 vs state

Math17%-26 vs state

Science15%-36 vs state

2.3

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a student
Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Lots of people (Students and Parents) talk about KM being "GHETTO" how students are "BAD" and how KM's sports teams don't win anything. The problem with the people is that they judge the school by its cover. Kent-Meridian looks ghetto but is not ghetto at all. The school looks ghetto because it was built in 1951 and the only real upgrade it has received was the renovation of the East Wing and Gym. The main and art building has not been renovated or upgraded since it was built. When it comes to the administration and staff, they care a lot about their students and the school. They are doing everything that they can to improve the school. The school has been gradually improving when it comes to test scores. Sports in KM is doing good. It has really been improving, especially this year. The Boys Track & Field Team were STATE CHAMPIONS of 2011. The Boys basketball reached the playoffs. The Football team has improved from 0 wins to 3 wins. KM Sports is not the greatest, and not as good as KW is, but they do win and are persevered to getting better for the next couple of years. Overall, KM is a really good school so, "DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER!" Close Quote

by a student
Saturday, May 7, 2011

Kent Meridian is to ghetto and way to many people who should be failing. People obviously don't care about these students. It's hard when you have to lose every game you play. That's how it's like playing sports. I have never ever seen KM win a thing. Look at KW they win almost everything. Rarely lose. I think I've made my point. Close Quote

Schools Near Kent-Meridian High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WCAS Science (2026)			SBAC English Language Arts (2026)					SBAC Math (2026)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 8th Grade	WCAS Science 11th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 10th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 6th Grade	SBAC Math 7th Grade	SBAC Math 8th Grade	SBAC Math 10th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Kent-Meridian High School	Public	9-12	10020 SE 256th ST	Kent	98030	King County	Kent School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 373-7405	1,639	78	20.9	68.9%	223 (13.6%)	238 (14.5%)	659 (40.2%)	305 (18.6%)	5 (0.3%)	106 (6.5%)	98 (6.0%)	13.4	360^th of 396 public high schools	9.1%		12.4	401^st of 438 public high schools	8.4%	41		14.7	14.7				41.3	41.3				16.8	16.8	$19,208	$608	$18,600
Individualized Graduation & Degree Program	Public, Virtual	9-12	11107 SE Kent-Kangley Rd	Kent	98030	King County	Kent School District	No	No	Yes	No	(253) 373-4723	370	10	38.5	61.4%	82 (22.2%)	59 (15.9%)	127 (34.3%)	43 (11.6%)	2 (0.5%)	23 (6.2%)	34 (9.2%)								(n/a)		18.9	18.9											$17,494	$1,270	$16,223
The Outreach Program	Public	12	26024 111th Ave SE	Kent	98030	King County	Kent School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 373-4080	62	1	52.9	83.9%	22 (35.5%)	11 (17.7%)	7 (11.3%)	12 (19.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.2%)	8 (12.9%)								(n/a)														$52,547	$460	$52,087
Kent Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual	6-12	317 4th Ave S	Kent	98032	King County	Kent School District	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(253) 373-6881	130	6	20.3	54.6%	38 (29.2%)	27 (20.8%)	26 (20.0%)	16 (12.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.3%)	20 (15.4%)	50.8	187^th of 396 public high schools	52.8%		20.9	352^nd of 438 public high schools	19.6%	165	33.3	44.4	40.5	21.4	35.3		57.9	38.8		16.7		32.5	20.5	$22,630	$1,740	$20,890
Auburn Mountainview High School	Public	9-12	28900 124th AVE SE	Auburn	98092	King County	Auburn School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 804-4539	1,560	83	18.8	58.5%	550 (35.3%)	136 (8.7%)	380 (24.4%)	313 (20.1%)	2 (0.1%)	53 (3.4%)	126 (8.1%)	28.8	290^th of 396 public high schools	26.8%		42.5	249^th of 438 public high schools	43.2%	41		38.7	38.7				47.8	47.8				18.1	18.1	$16,445	$509	$15,936
Kentridge High School	Public	9-12	12430 SE 208th ST	Kent	98031	King County	Kent School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 373-7345	2,186	90	24.2	42.5%	569 (26.0%)	298 (13.6%)	342 (15.6%)	713 (32.6%)	4 (0.2%)	28 (1.3%)	219 (10.0%)	74.7	84^th of 396 public high schools	78.8%		74.6	86^th of 438 public high schools	80.4%	2		51.1	51.1				69.7	69.7				47.9	47.9	$16,925	$599	$16,326
Thomas Jefferson High School	Public	9-12	4248 S 288th St	Auburn	98001	King County	Federal Way School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 945-5600	1,810	80	22.6	71.9%	335 (18.5%)	237 (13.1%)	676 (37.3%)	313 (17.3%)	6 (0.3%)	76 (4.2%)	162 (9.0%)	21.9	325^th of 396 public high schools	17.9%		16.2	377^th of 438 public high schools	13.9%	52		32.6	32.6				45.1	45.1				16.3	16.3	$17,474	$1,357	$16,117
Kentwood High School	Public	9-12	25800 164th Ave SE	Covington	98042	King County	Kent School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 373-7680	1,995	83	24.1	50.2%	545 (27.3%)	246 (12.3%)	430 (21.6%)	535 (26.8%)	2 (0.1%)	44 (2.2%)	186 (9.3%)	40.3	238^th of 396 public high schools	39.9%		47.3	220^th of 438 public high schools	49.8%	18		37.2	37.2				55.8	55.8				28.4	28.4	$17,395	$615	$16,780
Auburn Senior High School	Public	9-12	711 E Main St	Auburn	98002	King County	Auburn School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 931-4880	1,918	100	19.1	63.2%	457 (23.8%)	171 (8.9%)	741 (38.6%)	208 (10.8%)	35 (1.8%)	146 (7.6%)	160 (8.3%)	27.8	294^th of 396 public high schools	25.8%		25.4	338^th of 438 public high schools	22.8%	44		39.1	39.1				45.9	45.9				17.8	17.8	$17,541	$1,007	$16,535
Gateway to College	Public	9-12	2400 South 240th Street	Des Moines	98198	King County	Tukwila School District	No	No	No	No	(206) 878-3710	0	0		—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Kent-Meridian High School

What district is Kent-Meridian High School in?

Kent School District

What schools feed into Kent-Meridian High School?

Kent-Meridian High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : East Hill Elementary School
Elementary : George T. Daniel Elementary School
Elementary : Kent Elementary School
Elementary : Meadow Ridge Elementary School
Elementary : Neely O Brien Elementary School
Elementary : Scenic Hill Elementary School
Middle : Mill Creek Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Kent-Meridian High School?

Students at Kent-Meridian High School are 40% Hispanic, 19% Asian, 15% African American, 14% White, 6% Pacific Islander, 6% Two or more races.

Is Kent-Meridian High School a good school?

Kent-Meridian High School ranks in the bottom 9.1% of Washington high schools.

How many students attend Kent-Meridian High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,639 students attended Kent-Meridian High School.

Rate Kent-Meridian High School!

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2016–17 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 8, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.