Best High Schools in Zip Code 98908

ZIP code 98908 includes six high schools serving grades 7–12, with programs ranging from large traditional high schools to alternative, virtual, and Open Doors options. Together they enroll about 4,248 students, although the two comprehensive schools—Eisenhower High School and West Valley High School—account for approximately 88% of enrollment and provide the most reliable basis for comparison.

West Valley High School is the strongest overall performer. It has the area’s highest graduation rate at 91.1%, the lowest reported dropout rate among the traditional schools at 5.6%, and outstanding English language arts results, with 71.17% of students proficient compared with 52.81% statewide. Science performance was close to the state level, but math was a significant weakness at 29.08%. Eisenhower High School had a lower statewide ranking but still exceeded the state graduation rate, at 86.5%, and had a below-state dropout rate. Its English and math results improved year over year, though math proficiency remained low at 19.44%. Eisenhower also serves a higher-need student population, an important consideration when comparing outcomes. The schools are part of different districts: West Valley School District (Yakima) has a substantially higher district ranking than Yakima School District.

The smaller programs should be evaluated according to their missions rather than ranked directly against comprehensive high schools. West Valley Innovation Center has the lowest reported student-teacher ratio and highest per-student spending, but its recent graduation and assessment results declined sharply. West Valley Virtual Academy 9-12 has particularly concerning reported outcomes—a 31.4% graduation rate and 59.2% dropout rate—although current testing data is largely unavailable and student movement may affect these figures. Education Service District 105 Open Doors and West Valley Open Doors have limited or incomplete data, and the latter enrolls only 14 students. Across schools with reported results, math is the most consistent improvement priority; suppressed or missing data should be treated as unknown, not as poor performance.