Kelso High School

Summary:

Kelso High School is a public high school located in Kelso, Washington, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,424 students. The school is part of the Kelso School District, which is ranked 158 out of 247 districts in Washington and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Kelso High School faces several challenges, including lower test scores, higher dropout rates, and a higher percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds compared to the state average. The school's performance is generally lower than nearby schools, such as Castle Rock High School and Kalama High School, which have higher test scores, graduation rates, and lower dropout rates. Kelso High School's performance varies significantly among different student subgroups, with the school's ranking for Hispanic students being higher than its overall ranking, suggesting that the school is doing a better job of supporting this subgroup compared to others.

The Kelso School District includes two smaller alternative high schools, Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design and Loowit High School, which have significantly lower graduation rates and higher dropout rates compared to Kelso High School. This suggests that the district may need to focus on providing additional support and resources to these alternative schools to help improve their performance.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 1904 Allen St
       Kelso, WA  98626


(360) 501-1801

District: Kelso School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
310th of 437 Washington High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,359 Help


Feeder schools for Kelso High School:

Elementary:    Barnes Elementary
    Butler Acres Elementary
    Carrolls Elementary
    Lexington Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Coweeman Middle School
    Huntington Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.2 Help
Number of students:  1,424

Racial breakdown:

White:
68.5%
Hispanic:
20.7%
Two or more races:
5.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  60.8% Help


 See top rated Washington high schools

 Compare Kelso High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Kelso High School ranks worse than 70.9% of high schools in Washington. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 30.71. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Kelso High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Kelso High School has the largest high school student body size in the Kelso School District. Racial makeup is: White (68.5%), Hispanic (20.7%), two or more races (5.7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 60.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Kelso High School is 19.2. 1 high schools in the Kelso School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Kelso High School employs 73.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Kelso High School is $17,359. 1 high schools in the Kelso School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Kelso High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Kelso High School 310th of 437 Washington public high schools. (See Kelso High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Kelso School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Kelso School District 158th of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Kelso High School?

Rank History for Kelso High School

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 69.82 104th 390 73.3%
2005 61.45 171st 394 56.6%
2006 54.86 205th 395 48.1%
2007 57.27 191st 399 52.1%
2008 48.69 245th 396 38.1%
2009 48.68 238th 402 40.8%
2010 52.47 220th 423 48.0%
2011 41.35 265th 440 39.8%
2012 48.89 257th 450 42.9%
2013 58.94 195th 454 57.0%
2015 60.52 110th 341 67.7%
2016 61.84 125th 306 59.2%
2017 54.71 156th 301 48.2%
2018 49.60 188th 315 40.3%
2019 43.02 248th 417 40.5%
2021 40.83 262nd 455 42.4%
2022 51.67 200th 434 53.9%
2023 35.88 285th 442 35.5%
2024 30.71 310th 437 29.1%
See the entire list of Washington High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 38.43 104th 163 36.2%
2021 18.28 175th 195 10.3%
2022 40.56 112th 179 37.4%
2023 28.22 123rd 166 25.9%
2024 28.88 120th 161 25.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 47.14 33rd 70 52.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 28.36 161st 212 24.1%
2024 12.42 109th 110 0.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 42.39 205th 344 40.4%
2021 43.11 218th 392 44.4%
2022 48.65 181st 370 51.1%
2023 34.90 247th 362 31.8%
2024 25.87 283rd 356 20.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 46.68 206th 358 42.5%
2021 38.91 238th 390 39.0%
2022 46.93 189th 368 48.6%
2023 31.66 247th 357 30.8%
2024 31.35 251st 347 27.7%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 36.81 240th 355 32.4%
2021 41.13 222nd 395 43.8%
2022 49.92 175th 363 51.8%
2023 34.13 240th 358 33.0%
2024 22.80 291st 362 19.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 31.09 176th 241 27.0%
2021 38.38 165th 278 40.6%
2022 53.03 106th 261 59.4%
2023 31.49 171st 249 31.3%
2024 31.52 175th 248 29.4%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Kelso High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 38.15 255th 382 33.2%
2021 35.18 272nd 413 34.1%
2022 45.79 219th 390 43.8%
2023 27.13 297th 379 21.6%
2024 20.89 318th 374 15.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Kelso High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Kelso High School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Kelso High School, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Kelso High School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1087 5 13 12 18 n/a n/a 0 1135
1989 1048 0 15 12 9 n/a n/a 0 1084
1990 928 2 25 11 13 n/a n/a 0 979
1991 958 3 23 16 15 n/a n/a 0 1015
1992 1028 5 16 16 15 n/a n/a 0 1080
1993 1029 5 16 15 20 n/a n/a 0 1085
1994 1062 6 16 14 15 n/a n/a 0 1113
1995 1159 6 18 28 28 n/a n/a 0 1239
1996 1159 6 18 28 28 n/a n/a 0 1239
1997 1117 4 20 22 26 n/a n/a 0 1189
1998 1076 5 18 18 27 n/a n/a 0 1144
1999 1097 6 22 16 44 n/a n/a 0 1185
2000 1075 10 19 39 37 n/a n/a 0 1180
2001 1034 7 20 45 33 n/a n/a 0 1139
2002 1033 13 23 56 79 n/a n/a 0 1204
2003 1033 13 23 56 79 n/a n/a 0 1204
2004 1035 17 23 50 82 n/a n/a 0 1207
2005 1496 27 30 90 154 n/a n/a 0 1797
2006 1427 21 27 102 154 n/a n/a 1 1732
2007 1484 25 26 131 152 n/a n/a 2 1820
2008 1474 25 33 136 149 n/a n/a 2 1819
2009 1398 21 30 133 121 n/a n/a 3 1706
2010 1351 26 34 137 122 n/a n/a 4 1674
2011 1284 21 33 160 89 1 64 0 1652
2012 1233 18 30 173 72 2 82 0 1610
2013 1173 14 31 188 64 2 90 0 1562
2014 1073 11 30 193 45 7 106 0 1465
2015 1136 10 24 206 34 6 103 0 1519
2016 1159 9 21 237 29 9 114 0 1578
2017 1121 4 15 247 33 11 116 0 1547
2018 1188 5 16 247 33 14 110 0 1613
2019 1081 5 17 255 33 16 100 0 1507
2020 1085 5 18 278 28 19 103 1 1537
2021 861 4 15 283 19 14 88 1 1285
2022 980 8 14 301 19 13 73 7 1415
2023 976 9 13 295 21 16 81 13 1424

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Kelso High School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1135 59.0 19.2 0
1989 1084 55.0 19.7 n/a
1990 979 55.0 17.8 0
1991 1015 50.7 20.0 n/a
1992 1080 52.6 20.5 n/a
1993 1085 53.2 20.4 n/a
1994 1113 52.4 21.2 n/a
1995 1239 55.6 22.3 n/a
1996 1239 55.6 22.3 n/a
1997 1189 59.0 20.2 n/a
1998 1144 56.8 20.1 n/a
1999 1185 54.8 21.6 n/a
2000 1180 53.8 21.9 n/a
2001 1139 50.2 22.7 n/a
2002 1204 54.8 22.0 30.2
2003 1204 54.8 22.0 30.2
2004 1207 53.0 22.8 35.5
2005 1797 52.9 34.0 31.4
2006 1732 73.6 23.5 33.9
2007 1820 76.2 23.9 33.4
2008 1819 78.9 23.1 31.8
2009 1706 79.9 21.4 35.6
2010 1674 74.5 22.4 46
2011 1652 75.7 21.8 42.3
2012 1610 67.8 23.7 48.7
2013 1562 66.6 23.4 51.1
2014 1465 n/a n/a 52.2
2015 1519 71.0 21.3 50.4
2016 1578 74.0 21.3 47.8
2017 1547 73.0 21.1 49.9
2018 1613 77.3 20.8 50.7
2019 1507 78.6 19.1 49.6
2020 1537 73.5 20.9 51.6
2021 1285 70.7 18.1 56.8
2022 1415 70.3 20.1 56.9
2023 1424 73.9 19.2 60.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Kelso High School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1135 59.0 19.2 0
1989 1084 55.0 19.7 n/a
1990 979 55.0 17.8 0
1991 1015 50.7 20.0 n/a
1992 1080 52.6 20.5 n/a
1993 1085 53.2 20.4 n/a
1994 1113 52.4 21.2 n/a
1995 1239 55.6 22.3 n/a
1996 1239 55.6 22.3 n/a
1997 1189 59.0 20.2 n/a
1998 1144 56.8 20.1 n/a
1999 1185 54.8 21.6 n/a
2000 1180 53.8 21.9 n/a
2001 1139 50.2 22.7 n/a
2002 1204 54.8 22.0 30.2
2003 1204 54.8 22.0 30.2
2004 1207 53.0 22.8 35.5
2005 1797 52.9 34.0 31.4
2006 1732 73.6 23.5 33.9
2007 1820 76.2 23.9 33.4
2008 1819 78.9 23.1 31.8
2009 1706 79.9 21.4 35.6
2010 1674 74.5 22.4 46
2011 1652 75.7 21.8 42.3
2012 1610 67.8 23.7 48.7
2013 1562 66.6 23.4 51.1
2014 1465 n/a n/a 52.2
2015 1519 71.0 21.3 50.4
2016 1578 74.0 21.3 47.8
2017 1547 73.0 21.1 49.9
2018 1613 77.3 20.8 50.7
2019 1507 78.6 19.1 49.6
2020 1537 73.5 20.9 51.6
2021 1285 70.7 18.1 56.8
2022 1415 70.3 20.1 56.9
2023 1424 73.9 19.2 60.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Immunization Rates

Kelso High School

Help
Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201996.9%0.2%0.4%2.0%98.9%98.1%98.7%98.0%98.3%98.2%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Kelso High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $636 (4.6%) $13,297 (95.4%) $13,934
2020 $560 (6.1%) $8,571 (93.9%) $9,131
2021 $792 (5.3%) $14,144 (94.7%) $14,936
2022 $1,819 (10.5%) $15,539 (89.5%) $17,359

Data source: Washington Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Kelso High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 248th of 417 High schoolsRanks 285th of 442 High schools
 5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Kelso High School)66.551.6
 14.9%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Kelso School District)6651
 14.9%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)72.865.9
 6.9%
10th Grade Math (Kelso High School)19.215.5
 3.7%
   10th Grade Math (Kelso School District)1914.5
 4.4%
   10th Grade Math (Washington)42.433.3
 9.1%
11th Grade Science (Kelso High School)58.655.1
 3.5%
   11th Grade Science (Kelso School District)57.953.3
 4.5%
   11th Grade Science (Washington)5050.5
 0.5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Kelso High School)66.551.6
 14.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Kelso School District)53.445
 8.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Kelso High School)19.215.5
 3.7%
   All Grades Math (Kelso School District)35.528.9
 6.5%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Kelso High School)58.655.1
 3.5%
   All Grades Science (Kelso School District)50.446.4
 4%
   All Grades Science (Washington)52.748.8
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students15071424
 5.5%
African American59
 80%
American Indian3321
 36.4%
Asian1713
 23.5%
Hispanic255295
 15.7%
Pacific Islander1616
White1081976
 9.7%
Two or More Races10081
 19%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients49.6%60.8%
 11.2%


Schools Near Kelso High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Kelso High School

Kelso High School ranks 310th of 437 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Students at Kelso High School are 69% White, 21% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 1% American Indian, 1% Pacific Islander.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,424 students attended Kelso High School.

Kelso High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Barnes Elementary
Elementary : Butler Acres Elementary
Elementary : Carrolls Elementary
Elementary : Lexington Elementary
Elementary : Rose Valley Elementary
Elementary : Wallace Elementary
Middle : Coweeman Middle School
Middle : Huntington Middle School


Rate Kelso High School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Kelso High School!




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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 53 milliseconds.