The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Science. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ocosta Junior - Senior High
Ocosta Junior-Senior High sits in the coastal town of Westport, a small commercial-fishing and tourism hub on a peninsula at the mouth of Grays Harbor. The economy leans heavily on fishing, seafood processing, boat building, and charter fishing. The town itself is low-density and car-dependent; most residents drive to work, and the built environment is spread out along the peninsula. The marina district is the main focal point for civic and commercial activity, and the Ocosta School District operates its campuses away from the immediate downtown, including the elementary school that houses the first publicly funded vertical tsunami shelter in North America.
This is a small combined junior-senior high school serving grades seven through twelve. The total enrollment is modest for a school that spans six grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic presence and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which gives a clear picture of the community’s economic base.
On state assessments, results vary by subject. In English language arts, the school’s combined proficiency rate across tested grades sits roughly in the middle of the range for districts in Grays Harbor County. The science proficiency rate is similar. Math proficiency is notably lower, a pattern that prospective families may want to explore further with the school to understand what supports are in place. The comparison to other districts in the county shows Ocosta’s overall proficiency index falls above the midpoint among the 13 districts in Grays Harbor County.
The school has a single year of assessment data available, so there is no trend to evaluate yet. Graduation rate data and chronic absenteeism data were not provided, so neither can be discussed.
On the programming side, the school recently expanded its Career and Technical Education offerings with a new marine technology and fisheries program, which draws on the district’s coastal location and gives students a direct career pathway tied to the local economy. This is a concrete strength, especially for students interested in the working waterfront or maritime trades. The district also adopted a new K-5 English language arts curriculum grounded in the science of reading, though that change affects the elementary level, not this junior-senior high.
The school board approved a replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy in early 2024, which passed with a strong vote and will generate funding over several years for staffing, extracurriculars, transportation, and technology. That levy covers a meaningful portion of the district’s operating budget, so its passage signals community support for maintaining current service levels.
Housing in Westport is moderately priced relative to the state. The median home value is well below Washington’s statewide figure. The local economy has seen some growth recently, with tourism and seafood businesses expanding, and the town has received major infrastructure grants, including for additional tsunami evacuation towers and a communications network.
For families considering this school, the picture is of a small, coastal school with a narrow economic base, a marine-focused CTE program that is a genuine local asset, and math achievement that warrants a closer look. The school’s size means students will likely know most of their classmates and teachers. The community is working-class, dependent on fishing and tourism, and has been investing in both its infrastructure and its career pathways. A parent who values small-school settings, wants their child to have access to a career program rooted in the local economy, and is willing to investigate math instruction further may find this a good fit. A parent looking for wide academic breadth or high test scores across all subjects would want to examine the school’s offerings and support systems more closely.
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