- Palouse Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 100 students
- Palouse at Garfield Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 34 students
- Palouse High School — Grades 9–12 · 57 students
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| Metric | Palouse School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 166 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,700/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palouse School District (this district) | 9/10 | 87th | 166 |
| Orient School District | 4/10 | 37th | 41 |
| Odessa School District | 6/10 | 55th | 236 |
| Pullman School District | 10/10 | 93rd | 2,740 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 242 rated districts in WA → 87th percentile → 9/10.
Source: Washington OSPI SBAC ELA & Math, Meets/Exceeds Standard, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Palouse School District
Zip code 99161 in Palouse, Washington is served by Palouse School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Palouse School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
With a rating of 9/10 (top-tier), Palouse School District ranks among Washington’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Washington’s SBAC ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Washington is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
⚠️ Small-district caveat. Palouse School District enrolls 166 students. A percentile rank drawn from so few test-takers is statistically unstable — it can move several points from one year to the next on normal variation alone, and a single class of students can swing it. Treat this rating as a rough signal rather than a precise ranking, and look at the school-level detail below before drawing conclusions.
Palouse School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Washington on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 99161 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 99161
Children in zip code 99161 are assigned to Palouse School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 99161, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Palouse School District at (509)878-1921 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Washington districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Palouse
For families considering a purchase in the Palouse area, district assignment matters financially. Because Palouse School District serves zip code 99161, homes in and around zip code 99161 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Washington, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Palouse School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 99161.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Palouse School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 99161 data.