Original Research by School Decision on Cle Elum Roslyn High School
Cle Elum Roslyn High School serves students in the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District, a small public district in Kittitas County. The school is a regular public high school serving ninth through twelfth grades. Its enrollment is small, typical of a rural high school in this part of central Washington. The student body is predominantly white, with a small share of Hispanic students and very small numbers from other racial and ethnic groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that economic need is present across a significant portion of the student population. Data on the share of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was not available.
The community the school serves is Cle Elum, a small city that blends a historic brick downtown with surrounding outdoor recreation. The town grew notably in the decade leading up to the 2020 census, but recent years have been dominated by a contentious legal dispute over a large planned housing development, which ultimately led the city to file for bankruptcy. This financial context is likely a major concern for residents and may affect local tax bases and public services, though the district’s own operations were not directly implicated in the available research. The housing market in the area has seen home values rise to a level that is roughly in line with the statewide median, but monthly mortgage costs outpace median rents by a wide margin, making homeownership expensive relative to renting. The unemployment rate nationally is moderate, and median household income nationally has held steady in recent years; these are not Cle Elum-specific figures but provide a general economic backdrop.
On state academic assessments, the most recent results show a mixed picture. In English language arts, a solid majority of students met the proficiency standard. In science, more than half of students were proficient. In math, however, fewer than one in three students met the proficiency bar. This is a clear soft spot, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what math supports and interventions are in place. Because only one year of data was reported, there is no trend to assess. No graduation rate was available, and chronic absenteeism data was not reported, so those outcomes cannot be evaluated.
The school’s academic performance comparison within Kittitas County was not possible because the necessary metrics were missing. This leaves the school’s position relative to its neighbors unmeasured by the available data.
The school offers a small high school environment, which some families prefer for the potential for closer relationships with teachers and staff. The setting is rural, with the town of Cle Elum oriented around Interstate 90 and automobile access. There is limited walkability and no public transit, so families should expect to drive for school commutes and most errands. The Coal Mines Trail and the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail provide walking and biking routes connecting Cle Elum to neighboring Roslyn, but these are recreational amenities rather than transportation infrastructure for school access.
The district itself had no major recent changes reported in the available research, meaning no bond measures, curriculum overhauls, or administrative shake-ups were found that would signal a period of transition. The school appears to be operating on a stable footing within a district that has not been in the news for shifts in policy or finances.
For a family considering this school, the academic picture is one where English and science are relative strengths, while math performance is a clear area of concern. The small size means limited course offerings and extracurricular breadth compared to a large suburban high school. Students who need strong math support or who intend to pursue STEM pathways in college may want to investigate what advanced coursework, tutoring, or dual-credit options are available. The community context is shaped by the city’s recent financial difficulties, which could affect the broader environment even if the district itself remains separate. Families who value outdoor recreation, a small-town feel, and a historic downtown will find Cle Elum appealing; those looking for a high school with wide academic programming or a strong math track should ask pointed questions before enrolling.
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