The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Home Pride
Home Pride is a single K-12 regular public school serving the very small, rural town of Cusick in Pend Oreille County. It is the sole school within the Cusick School District, sharing a campus on Monumental Way with other district facilities. The town itself, located on the Pend Oreille River, grew out of a sawmill economy and now also serves as the headquarters of the federally recognized Kalispel Indian Community. Its character is quiet and residential, with limited commercial activity and the county fairgrounds as a civic anchor.
Enrollment at Home Pride is very small, spread across all thirteen grades from kindergarten through twelfth. The student body is predominantly white, with a significant Hispanic presence and a small share of students who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, reflecting the local tribal community. A substantial majority of students come from low-income households, as measured by free or reduced-price meal eligibility. This is a high-need population, and the school operates with limited economies of scale.
State assessment results are available for only a few grade levels due to the very small class sizes that trigger data suppression to protect student privacy. In the most recent testing year, proficiency rates in math for the third grade were below half, and in English language arts for that same grade, about half of students met the bar. Fifth grade ELA showed a similar pattern. For most other tested grades and subjects, including science, results were suppressed because the number of students tested fell below the state’s reporting threshold. The school’s overall proficiency index, which combines all reported scores across subjects and grades, places Home Pride below the midpoint relative to the other districts in Pend Oreille County. Because the county has only a handful of districts, that comparison set is narrow, but it still suggests that academic attainment at this school trails the local average.
No four-year graduation rate was reported, likely because the senior class is extremely small. The school lacks publicly reported data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, or course access, making it difficult to assess the learning environment beyond test scores. A parent considering this school would want to ask the school directly about graduation outcomes, postsecondary pathways, and the availability of advanced or dual-credit coursework at the high school level.
Housing in the Cusick area is more affordable than the Washington state median, consistent with the town’s remote, rural location. Home values have seen modest recent growth. The local economy is limited, with the school district, tribal operations, and county fairgrounds among the main employers. For families who can work remotely or who are tied to the region, the low-cost housing may be a draw, but job opportunities within Cusick itself are scarce.
At the district level, voters approved a replacement Educational Programs and Operations levy in early 2024. That levy funds a portion of the district’s operating budget, covering staffing, athletics, extracurriculars, transportation, technology, and curriculum. It replaced a previous levy that expired at the end of 2024. The passage signals community support for the school, though the district’s reliance on local levy dollars for core operations is typical for small, property-tax-dependent Washington districts.
Home Pride offers a full K-12 experience in one building, which can appeal to families who value a close-knit, multi-age environment and the convenience of a single campus from kindergarten through graduation. The very small class sizes may allow for individualized attention, but they also limit the breadth of curricular and extracurricular offerings that larger schools can provide. The school’s test results point to room for growth in academic performance, and its remote location means limited external enrichment options. It is best suited for families already rooted in this part of Pend Oreille County or those specifically seeking a small, rural, all-grades school where the peer group is small and the community ties are tight.
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