The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Science. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Curlew Elem & High School
Curlew Elementary and High School is the sole public school in the Curlew School District, and it serves all grades from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade under one roof in the small, unincorporated Ferry County community of Curlew. Because the school covers every grade, a student can attend here from their first year of preschool all the way through high school graduation without ever changing buildings. For families who value a single, familiar setting and a very small school environment, that continuity is a central feature.
The student body is small for a PK-12 school, and the composition is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population making up the next largest group. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places the school in a context where economic need is a meaningful factor. No data was available on the percentage of students with disabilities or English learners, so it is not possible to assess those dimensions of student support from the available information.
On state assessments, the school's results are mixed and a parent will want to look at the grade-level pattern closely. In English language arts, proficiency rates in the tested elementary and middle school grades fluctuated, landing at a moderate level in some grades and lower in others. In math, proficiency rates were lower across the board, with the highest reported rate still below a majority of students meeting the bar. Science results stood apart, with a strong proficiency rate in grade five, though the eighth-grade science proficiency rate was much lower. Overall, the proficiency picture across all subjects and grades places the school's academic performance above the midpoint relative to districts in Ferry County, but that comparison set includes only a small number of districts, so the difference should be read in that narrow context. No high school state assessment data was available, and no graduation rate was reported, so a key piece of the academic picture for older students is missing.
Curlew itself is a tiny, rural place that has seen long-term population decline. The community sits along the Kettle River, and the school is a civic anchor. Housing values in the area are well below the Washington state average, which may appeal to families looking for lower housing costs, though the trade-off is that the area has very limited commercial activity, no public transit, and a quiet, isolated character. The school district did not have any recent major changes reported, so a parent should not expect recent renovations or program overhauls.
For a family that wants a very small, rural school where their child can move from kindergarten through senior year with the same peer group, and who is comfortable with below-average math proficiency and incomplete information on high school outcomes, Curlew Elementary and High School fits that profile. A family focused on strong academic metrics or broad course offerings will want to investigate further, particularly around the high school experience, since graduation rate and advanced coursework data were not available.
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