Original Research by School Decision on Snohomish High School
Snohomish High School sits within the historic river town from which it takes its name, serving the comprehensive high school grades for the Snohomish School District. The school is a regular public high school, and for families looking at this community, it is the sole traditional high school option within the city limits.
The student body is largely white, with a Hispanic population as the next largest group; small numbers of Asian, Black, multiracial, and Native American or Alaska Native students are also enrolled. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that places the school in a mid-range position relative to other schools in Snohomish County.
On the most recent set of state assessments, English language arts proficiency is strong, with a rate that places the school comfortably above typical performances in the county. Science proficiency falls in a middle range. Math proficiency is notably lower, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school, as it sits well below the level of the school’s own ELA results. The data available is a single year, so no trend can be assessed.
The school is part of the Snohomish School District, and publicly reported information indicates the district has put bond and levy measures before voters in recent years, which is common for districts managing facility needs and operational funding. Beyond that, the available district-level narrative is thin; we found little detail on specific district initiatives or classroom conditions, so we left that out rather than guess.
Housing in Snohomish is expensive. Home values are substantially above the national typical level, and rents have been rising. For context, the estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home in the area is high relative to the national median household income, which means the cost of entry is steep. Rents are also above national averages. The community remains a small city, and its historic downtown, with redbrick streets and antique shops, defines much of its character. Growth has been modest, and the city’s historic preservation framework shapes new development in the core.
The school environment data is sparse. We looked for information on discipline rates, course access, staffing levels, and chronic absenteeism, but none of it was provided. Attendance and special education and English learner counts are also absent from the record. A family weighing this school should know that several key dimensions of school climate are simply not reflected in the available data.
For a high school of its size in a county with many districts, Snohomish High presents a profile that is strongest in literacy and weaker in math, set in a town with a distinct identity and a high-cost housing market. The composite picture is one of a traditional comprehensive high school in a place where housing affordability is a real consideration, and where the school’s own attainment varies by subject area in a way that merits further inquiry.
See more original research from School Decision →