Total enrollment
4,635
+88 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Whitman County
Washington · Public K-12
Of the 28 public K-12 schools in Whitman County, the largest district by enrollment is Pullman School District (2,731 students). Total county enrollment runs around 4,753. By level, that breaks down as 13 elementary, 4 middle, and 8 high schools.
4-year change in Whitman County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
27
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Whitman County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Washington | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 59.4% | #1 of 26 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 4,753 | #27 of 37 | #1,384 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 28 | #22 of 37 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.9:1 | #3 of 37 | #1,326 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 39.8% | #34 of 37 | #2,107 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 42.9% | #29 of 36 | #1,382 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Whitman County school rankings
Residents
47,003
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
28
14 districts
Enrollment
4,753
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$55,406
Below Washington avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.8%
Below Washington avg
Elementary
13
2,083 students
Middle
4
737 students
High
8
1,486 students
Combined / other
3
447 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Pullman School District
2,731 students · 14 districts in Whitman County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Whitman County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
49.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.0%
civilian labor
Median age
26
15.8% under 18
Test scores in Whitman County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 12 schools ranked. Washington state average: 58.4%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Pullman High School· 79.4%
- Franklin Elementary· 79.0%
- Sunnyside Elementary· 72.3%
- Leonard M Jennings Elementary· 70.9%
- Palouse Elementary· 65.2%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Jefferson Elementary· 39.7%
- Colton School· 42.0%
- Rosalia Elementary & Secondary School· 44.4%
- Colfax High School· 55.3%
- Endicott/St John Elem and Middle· 59.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pullman High School | Pullman | High | 09-12 | 838 | · |
| Lincoln Middle School | Pullman | Middle | 06-08 | 643 | · |
| Jefferson Elementary | Pullman | Elementary | PK-05 | 335 | · |
| Sunnyside Elementary | Pullman | Elementary | PK-05 | 326 | · |
| Kamiak Elementary | Pullman | Elementary | PK-05 | 315 | · |
| Franklin Elementary | Pullman | Elementary | PK-05 | 274 | · |
| Leonard M Jennings Elementary | Colfax | Elementary | KG-06 | 270 | · |
| Colfax High School | Colfax | High | 07-12 | 263 | · |
| Colton School | Colton | Combined | PK-12 | 166 | · |
| Rosalia Elementary & Secondary School | Rosalia | Combined | PK-12 | 163 | · |
| Pullman Community Montessori | Pullman | Combined | KG-09 | 118 | · |
| Tekoa High School | Tekoa | High | 06-12 | 115 | · |
| Palouse Elementary | Palouse | Elementary | PK-05 | 100 | · |
| Tekoa Elementary School | Tekoa | Elementary | PK-05 | 91 | · |
| St John Elementary | Saint John | Elementary | PK-05 | 85 | · |
| Endicott/St John Elem and Middle | Endicott | Elementary | PK-08 | 83 | · |
| Oakesdale High School | Oakesdale | High | 06-12 | 80 | · |
| Oakesdale Elementary School | Oakesdale | Elementary | PK-05 | 73 | · |
| St John/Endicott High | Saint John | High | 09-12 | 60 | · |
| Palouse High School | Palouse | High | 09-12 | 57 | · |
| Garfield Elementary | Garfield | Elementary | PK-05 | 51 | · |
| Steptoe Elementary School | Steptoe | Elementary | PK-08 | 47 | · |
| Garfield at Palouse High School | Palouse | High | 09-12 | 45 | · |
| Palouse at Garfield Middle School | Palouse | Middle | 06-08 | 34 | · |
| Lacrosse Elementary School | Lacrosse | Elementary | KG-08 | 33 | · |
| Garfield Middle School | Garfield | Middle | 06-08 | 31 | · |
| Lamont Middle School | Lamont | Middle | 05-08 | 29 | · |
| Lacrosse High School | Lacrosse | High | 09-12 | 28 | · |
Cities in Whitman County
About Whitman County
Whitman County is a low-population county of about 47,003 residents in Washington. Its public-school system serves approximately 4,753 students across 28 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $55,406, roughly 50% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 30% meaningfully below the Washington median.
On the school-mix side, Whitman County is built around 13 elementary schools (2,083 students), 4 middle schools (737), 8 high schools (1,486), and 3 combined or other schools.
Pullman School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,731 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Whitman County has remained close to its prior level since SY 2020-21, moving from about 4,547 students to 4,635.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Whitman County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data