The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Science. The lowest is 34% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Selah Intermediate School
Selah Intermediate School serves third through fifth grade in the Selah School District, a small city just north of Yakima in central Washington. The school sits in a community shaped by orchards and fruit processing, with Tree Top’s headquarters and plants nearby, and the town functions increasingly as a bedroom community for Yakima. The district did not appear to have recent bond measures, curriculum shifts, or other major changes in publicly available sources, so the school operates in a period of relative stability on that front.
The student body is large for an intermediate school, drawing from across the town. White students make up roughly half the enrollment, Hispanic students account for about two-fifths, and small shares of other racial and ethnic groups round out the population. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which puts the school in a context where many families face economic pressure. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and serves its designated attendance zone.
State testing results from the 2024-25 school year show the school’s academic performance with some variation across subjects and grades. In English language arts, the share of students meeting the state bar started lower in third grade, rose modestly in fourth, and reached a higher point in fifth grade. In math, third graders posted the strongest results among the three tested grade levels, with fourth and fifth grade results lower. Fifth grade science results were roughly comparable to the stronger end of the school’s English results. For a school serving a population with significant economic need, these results are not unusual, but a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how the school supports students who are not yet meeting the state standard. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits above the midpoint relative to the other school districts in Yakima County, which is a useful local bearing. No multi-year trend data were available, so it is not possible to say whether performance has been rising or falling over time.
The school does not have high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. No chronic absenteeism rate was available in the data. Special education and English learner counts were also missing from the profile. Because the school serves grades three through five, some of these gaps may reflect reporting norms for the state or the grade band, but a parent with a child who receives specialized services should confirm directly with the school what supports are in place.
Housing in the Selah area is more affordable than the state average. Home values have been rising modestly, and rents have been increasing as well. For a family moving to the area, the cost of a home or a rental in Selah is lower than what you would pay in many parts of Washington, which is consistent with the town’s role as a more affordable option within commuting distance of Yakima. The town has grown steadily over recent decades and continues to add residents, so the schools can expect a gradual increase in enrollment pressure over time.
Selah Intermediate School is a straightforward neighborhood school for a growing agricultural community. Its academic results are mixed, with some bright spots and some soft spots that a family should investigate. The school’s peer environment includes a sizable population of students from lower-income households, and the community itself is small, with a working economy tied to fruit processing and a civic life centered on a compact downtown. Parents considering the school should weigh the affordable housing, the steady population growth, and the school’s position relative to other Yakima County districts against the test score picture and the absence of certain data points that would give a fuller view.
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