Original Research by School Decision on Pride Prep School
PRIDE Prep School is a public charter school in Spokane, Washington, serving students from sixth through twelfth grade. It operates as a regular school under the PRIDE Prep Charter School District, a single-school district. Because it is a charter school, it functions with its own governance while remaining part of the public system. The school is located on East Sprague Avenue in downtown Spokane.
Enrollment is modest for a grade band that spans middle and high school. The student body is predominantly white, with a notable share of students who identify as two or more races. Other racial and ethnic groups are present in smaller numbers. About half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common measure of economic need in public schools. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the sources provided, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
State assessment results are available for a single year, which means there is no trend to examine. In English language arts, the share of students meeting proficiency standards was reported at a level that is higher than in math, where proficiency was notably lower. Science performance fell between those two. These results come from a single testing cycle, so how they compare over time is not yet visible. The school’s graduation rate, chronic absenteeism rate, and other long-term outcome measures were not reported in the data, which may reflect the nature of the school or gaps in available reporting. A family interested in postsecondary readiness or attendance patterns would need to follow up with the school for that information.
Publicly reported information about the school’s district indicates that the Pride Schools organization, which runs PRIDE Prep, recently received a recommendation for a five-year charter renewal from Spokane Public Schools. The school had earlier been granted a conditional three-year renewal after concerns about academic and financial performance. It met the conditions of that term and became eligible for the longer renewal. This development secures the school’s continued operation, a relevant factor for families considering enrollment.
The same public reports note that the school’s high school program is the only public high school in Spokane authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma. That is a distinctive academic pathway within the city’s public school landscape, one that provides a structured college-preparatory curriculum with international recognition. It is a strength that sets this school apart from most other Spokane-area options.
Spokane itself is the economic and cultural hub of eastern Washington, a city of modest size compared to the Seattle metro area. Its economy has moved beyond its historical base in mining, timber, and agriculture into healthcare, government, education, and logistics. Major employers include Fairchild Air Force Base, Providence Health Care, Spokane Public Schools, and Amazon. Housing values and rents in the area are lower than in western Washington, making the city relatively affordable for a regional center. The downtown core runs along the Spokane River, with Riverfront Park and the Centennial Trail as civic anchors. The city hosts large events such as Bloomsday and Hoopfest, adding to street life. Two universities, Gonzaga and Whitworth, are located within the city.
There are several areas where a parent may want to gather more information. The academic data covers only one year and shows a clear gap between ELA and math performance. No information was available on discipline, staffing, course offerings beyond the IB program, or college-going rates. The school’s special education and English learner data are absent. These gaps do not necessarily mean the school is weak in those areas, but they leave questions unanswered. For families drawn to a small charter environment with an IB option and a stable authorization status, PRIDE Prep offers a distinctive choice within Spokane’s public school options.
See more original research from School Decision →