Best Public Schools in Mount Vernon, WA

The Mount Vernon, Washington area is home to 16 schools, including 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 3 alternative schools. The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance, with some standout schools like Conway School District 317 significantly outperforming the district and state averages, while other schools, particularly those serving higher-need populations, struggle with lower graduation rates, higher dropout rates, and lower proficiency levels.

The top-performing school in the area is Conway School District 317, an elementary/middle school with 47.43% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and Math, far exceeding the Mount Vernon School District and Washington state averages. The alternative Skagit Academy also stands out, with the highest English Language Arts proficiency rates at 53.57%. However, the alternative schools, such as Mount Vernon Open Doors, struggle with lower graduation rates and higher dropout rates compared to the traditional public schools.

Socioeconomic factors appear to play a significant role, as the schools with the highest free/reduced lunch rates, like Centennial Elementary and Washington Elementary, tend to have the lowest academic performance. The data also reveals wide variations in spending per student and student-teacher ratios, suggesting unequal access to resources across the Mount Vernon School District and the neighboring Sedro-Woolley School District, which includes the high-performing Big Lake Elementary.