Original Research by School Decision on Phoenix High School
Phoenix High School is a small alternative high school in Kennewick, part of the Kennewick School District. It serves grades nine through twelve and operates as a choice-based program for students seeking a different academic setting than a traditional comprehensive high school. With a very small enrollment for its grade band, the school offers a more individualized and less crowded environment.
The student body at Phoenix is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population and smaller numbers of Asian and two or more races students. About half of the students come from households with low enough incomes to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is meaningful context for understanding the student body the school serves. Data on the number of students with disabilities or those learning English were not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports available for these groups.
In terms of academic performance, state testing results for the most recent school year show the school's proficiency rate in English language arts sits above the midpoint when compared to other schools in the district. Math proficiency is lower, and science proficiency falls between the two. These results come from a single year of testing, so no trend is visible yet. Given that this is an alternative school, these results should be interpreted with the understanding that the students who attend often do so because they needed a different approach than a traditional high school was providing. A parent considering Phoenix may want to discuss with staff how the school's instructional model addresses academic skill gaps and prepares students for graduation.
The school did not report a four-year graduation rate, which often happens with very small alternative schools where a single cohort number may be suppressed for privacy, or where the school's mission does not fit the standard four-year timeline. A parent should ask the school about its graduation outcomes and postsecondary plans for students.
No program offerings were reported in the data, so the breadth of career and technical education courses, Advanced Placement, or dual-credit options is not clear. The school's website or a conversation with the counseling office would be the best way to learn what pathways are available.
Kennewick itself is the largest of the Tri-Cities, with a diversified economy that includes manufacturing, food processing, retail, and offices for companies like Amazon and Lamb Weston. The area has experienced steady population growth, and the district has a process for local voters to decide on bonds and levies that fund building projects and programs. The housing market in the zip code that includes Phoenix High School shows home values near the state average, with rents that are moderately priced compared to national benchmarks. The city is spread out, with residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and a riverfront area that includes convention and sports facilities.
For a family weighing this school, the core question is fit. Phoenix is not a large comprehensive high school with a full menu of electives and activities; it is a deliberately small alternative program. It works best for a student who needs a smaller community, a more flexible schedule, or a different pace than a large high school offers. The test scores are mixed, which is not unusual for a school that serves students who may have struggled elsewhere. A parent should ask about the school's specific graduation plan, what happens after twelfth grade, and how the school supports students who are behind in credits. The setting is a mid-sized, growing city with a solid economic base, and the housing costs are broadly in line with the state average, making the area accessible to a range of households.
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