Original Research by School Decision on Homelink
Homelink is an alternative school serving kindergarten through twelfth grade within the Walla Walla Public Schools district. The school’s most defining feature is its very small enrollment, which concentrates on the elementary grades. The data shows no students in grades six through twelve; the entire student body is in kindergarten through fifth grade. This means that while the school’s stated grade band runs through high school, the actual population served in the reported year was exclusively elementary. A family considering Homelink for middle or high school should verify with the school what programming, if any, exists for older students.
The student body is small. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Racially, the school is predominantly white, with a noticeable share of students who identify as two or more races. Hispanic students make up a smaller portion of the population. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was missing, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how it supports those groups.
State assessment results are limited and largely suppressed, which is common for a very small school where reporting thresholds prevent public disclosure. For the data that was available, the school had a single reported year of proficiency for both English language arts and math at an all-grades level. This was a single point, not a trend, and it sat below the state average for Washington. For science, results were also suppressed. Because the school’s enrollment is tiny, a parent should interpret any available achievement numbers with caution, as a small handful of students can shift rates dramatically. The school’s status as an alternative school means it may serve students whose learning needs are not well measured by standardized tests alone, which is another reason a direct conversation with staff about academic approach would be valuable.
The school has no reported data for discipline, chronic absenteeism, course access, or staffing. No comparison to other districts in Walla Walla County was possible because the school’s own proficiency data was missing. The school is not a charter or magnet, and its Title I status was not reported. No program offerings or special academic pathways were listed.
Walla Walla is the county seat and regional hub for southeastern Washington, with a historic downtown, several colleges, and a strong agricultural and wine-industry economy. The city’s population has been stable in recent years. Housing in the immediate area carries a price level that is close to the national average for home values, and rents are also around that national benchmark. The district itself has a recently renewed local levy that supports arts, honors classes, and programs not covered by state funding, which voters approved by a wide margin.
For a family, Homelink fits a narrow profile. It is a very small alternative school within a larger district, and in practice it serves elementary students. A parent who wants a mainstream K-5 experience with a full picture of grade-level testing and a large peer group would likely look at one of the district’s elementary schools instead. For a family specifically seeking a small, alternative setting for an elementary-age child, particularly one where state test data is not the central measure, Homelink may be worth exploring. A parent should contact the school directly to understand its instructional model, what student population it serves, and whether any secondary grades are actually offered.
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