Lind-Ritzville Middle School

Lind-Ritzville Middle School is a very small, rural public school in Lind, WA, serving just 41 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Lind School District.

Academically, the school's test scores in English and Math are below state averages, with a notable recent drop in Math proficiency. It's important to understand that the school serves a high percentage of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which can impact performance, though the school has shown it can effectively support these students in some years. A unique feature is the school's exceptionally small class size, with a student-teacher ratio of about 6-to-1, and very high per-student spending, though these significant resources have not yet led to strong academic results.

The school's situation is highlighted by a direct comparison to Lind Ritzville Middle School from the neighboring Ritzville School District, located just a short distance away. That school serves more students with a lower rate of economic disadvantage, has much larger classes, and spends far less per student, yet achieves somewhat similar (though still below-average) academic outcomes. This proximity raises interesting questions about district operations and potential for collaboration. Performance can also swing significantly from year to year, which is common in very small schools where a few students' scores greatly affect the percentages.