South Whidbey High School

Summary:

South Whidbey High School is a public high school serving 384 students in grades 9-12 in Langley, Washington, part of the South Whidbey School District. This high-performing school consistently outpaces state and district averages in academic achievement, graduation rates, and support for low-income students.

South Whidbey High School's academic excellence is evident in its strong test scores, with 89.66% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 49.41% in Math, compared to state averages of 66.2% and 33.4% respectively. The school also excels in science, with 70.73% of students proficient or better on the WCAS exam, well above the state average of 49.66%. Additionally, South Whidbey High School maintains high graduation rates, ranging from 90.5% to 95.3% over the past 5 years, significantly higher than the state average.

While South Whidbey High School has a predominantly white student population, it has demonstrated a strong commitment to equity, ranking 9th out of 356 high schools in the state for the performance of its low-socioeconomic status students. When compared to nearby schools like Kamiak High School and Everett High School, South Whidbey High School stands out for its smaller student population, higher academic performance, and lower student-teacher ratio, though the nearby schools serve more diverse student populations.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 5675 Maxwelton
       Langley, WA  98260


(360) 221-4300

District: South Whidbey School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
41st of 437 Washington High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $19,724 Help


Feeder schools for South Whidbey High School:

Elementary:    South Whidbey Elementary
Middle:    South Whidbey Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  16.5 Help
Number of students:  361

Racial breakdown:

White:
77.8%
Hispanic:
10.0%
Two or more races:
7.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  32.7% Help


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 Compare South Whidbey High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details South Whidbey High School ranks better than 90.6% of high schools in Washington. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 89.67. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at South Whidbey High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (77.8%), Hispanic (10%), two or more races (7.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 32.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Whidbey High School is 16.5. (See more...)
Help
Compare South Whidbey High School employs 21.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Whidbey High School is $19,724.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Whidbey High School:

SchoolDigger ranks South Whidbey High School 41st of 437 Washington public high schools. (See South Whidbey High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


South Whidbey School District:

SchoolDigger ranks South Whidbey School District 41st of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for South Whidbey High School?

Rank History for South Whidbey High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at South Whidbey High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 84.65 39th 390 90.0%
2005 80.81 58th 394 85.3%
2006 84.22 36th 395 90.9%
2007 67.86 124th 399 68.9%
2008 77.95 65th 396 83.6%
2009 70.54 114th 402 71.6%
2010 76.73 79th 423 81.3%
2011 74.69 43rd 440 90.2%
2012 75.68 42nd 450 90.7%
2013 71.00 84th 454 81.5%
2015 81.18 44th 341 87.1%
2018 59.92 136th 315 56.8%
2019 84.24 43rd 417 89.7%
2021 80.01 67th 455 85.3%
2022 79.98 67th 434 84.6%
2023 81.69 66th 442 85.1%
2024 89.67 41st 437 90.6%
See the entire list of Washington High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at South Whidbey High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 28.72 126th 163 22.7%
2021 75.98 33rd 195 83.1%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at South Whidbey High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 35.13 86th 128 32.8%
2021 34.12 135th 212 36.3%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Whidbey High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 67.51 86th 344 75.0%
2021 64.37 98th 392 75.0%
2022 64.62 104th 370 71.9%
2023 69.13 77th 362 78.7%
2024 94.15 9th 356 97.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Whidbey High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 85.91 32nd 358 91.1%
2021 77.25 59th 390 84.9%
2022 79.27 59th 368 84.0%
2023 76.82 70th 357 80.4%
2024 85.28 48th 347 86.2%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Whidbey High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 80.01 54th 355 84.8%
2021 80.75 56th 395 85.8%
2022 76.51 73rd 363 79.9%
2023 82.99 47th 358 86.9%
2024 90.89 32nd 362 91.2%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at South Whidbey High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 81.99 48th 382 87.4%
2021 72.17 89th 413 78.5%
2022 77.19 71st 390 81.8%
2023 75.88 72nd 379 81.0%
2024 82.06 49th 374 86.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

South Whidbey High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Open Quote Many of the students think way to highly of themselves.
Many are stuck up. On the other hand many are very good students. Close Quote



Enrollment information for South Whidbey High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 463 0 11 9 4 n/a n/a 0 487
1989 463 0 3 2 7 n/a n/a 0 475
1990 477 0 5 4 8 n/a n/a 0 494
1991 488 2 6 2 7 n/a n/a 0 505
1992 528 6 8 7 12 n/a n/a 0 561
1993 563 6 14 7 11 n/a n/a 0 601
1994 571 9 16 10 14 n/a n/a 0 620
1995 621 5 17 19 11 n/a n/a 0 673
1996 621 5 17 19 11 n/a n/a 0 673
1997 639 11 26 19 13 n/a n/a 0 708
1998 650 12 28 16 7 n/a n/a 0 713
1999 627 11 26 13 7 n/a n/a 0 684
2000 714 12 27 22 6 n/a n/a 0 781
2001 733 7 24 18 5 n/a n/a 0 787
2002 748 4 28 19 8 n/a n/a 0 807
2003 748 4 28 19 8 n/a n/a 0 807
2004 730 5 27 12 10 n/a n/a 0 784
2005 658 4 26 16 9 n/a n/a 0 713
2006 641 10 26 13 12 n/a n/a 0 702
2007 601 13 23 17 16 n/a n/a 0 670
2008 566 9 26 21 20 n/a n/a 1 643
2009 562 8 24 17 19 n/a n/a 1 631
2010 514 6 28 18 17 n/a n/a 1 584
2011 500 6 23 11 12 1 5 0 558
2012 479 7 17 11 7 1 5 0 527
2013 487 5 18 16 3 1 8 0 538
2014 467 4 15 19 8 1 14 0 528
2015 462 6 16 17 7 0 8 0 516
2016 433 7 17 22 9 0 8 0 496
2017 392 10 16 21 5 0 10 0 454
2018 386 10 15 19 4 0 14 0 448
2019 361 6 14 29 1 0 29 0 440
2020 371 2 13 24 0 1 38 0 449
2021 346 1 10 28 1 0 44 1 431
2022 319 3 8 29 2 0 38 1 400
2023 296 4 7 36 1 0 35 5 384
2024 281 6 6 36 2 0 28 2 361

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South Whidbey High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 487 24.0 20.2 0
1989 475 24.0 19.7 n/a
1990 494 24.0 20.5 0
1991 505 24.0 21.0 n/a
1992 561 25.6 21.9 n/a
1993 601 27.7 21.7 n/a
1994 620 29.4 21.1 n/a
1995 673 33.3 20.2 n/a
1996 673 33.3 20.2 n/a
1997 708 35.5 19.9 n/a
1998 713 34.7 20.5 n/a
1999 684 33.3 20.5 n/a
2000 781 33.5 23.3 n/a
2001 787 35.8 22.0 n/a
2002 807 35.5 22.7 11.9
2003 807 35.5 22.7 11.9
2004 784 34.0 23.1 16.8
2005 713 34.5 20.7 15.7
2006 702 31.3 22.4 17.2
2007 670 32.4 20.7 18.2
2008 643 32.0 20.1 15.9
2009 631 32.0 19.7 13.3
2010 584 27.6 21.1 26.4
2011 558 26.5 20.9 17.2
2012 527 25.6 20.5 20.5
2013 538 24.3 22.0 23.2
2014 528 n/a n/a 25.2
2015 516 26.0 19.8 26.2
2016 496 26.0 19.0 24
2017 454 25.1 18.0 17.8
2018 448 24.0 18.6 15.8
2019 440 23.6 18.5 21.1
2020 449 23.2 19.3 21.2
2021 431 22.9 18.7 21.3
2022 400 24.9 16.0 25.8
2023 384 22.8 16.8 29.9
2024 361 21.8 16.5 32.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South Whidbey High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 487 24.0 20.2 0
1989 475 24.0 19.7 n/a
1990 494 24.0 20.5 0
1991 505 24.0 21.0 n/a
1992 561 25.6 21.9 n/a
1993 601 27.7 21.7 n/a
1994 620 29.4 21.1 n/a
1995 673 33.3 20.2 n/a
1996 673 33.3 20.2 n/a
1997 708 35.5 19.9 n/a
1998 713 34.7 20.5 n/a
1999 684 33.3 20.5 n/a
2000 781 33.5 23.3 n/a
2001 787 35.8 22.0 n/a
2002 807 35.5 22.7 11.9
2003 807 35.5 22.7 11.9
2004 784 34.0 23.1 16.8
2005 713 34.5 20.7 15.7
2006 702 31.3 22.4 17.2
2007 670 32.4 20.7 18.2
2008 643 32.0 20.1 15.9
2009 631 32.0 19.7 13.3
2010 584 27.6 21.1 26.4
2011 558 26.5 20.9 17.2
2012 527 25.6 20.5 20.5
2013 538 24.3 22.0 23.2
2014 528 n/a n/a 25.2
2015 516 26.0 19.8 26.2
2016 496 26.0 19.0 24
2017 454 25.1 18.0 17.8
2018 448 24.0 18.6 15.8
2019 440 23.6 18.5 21.1
2020 449 23.2 19.3 21.2
2021 431 22.9 18.7 21.3
2022 400 24.9 16.0 25.8
2023 384 22.8 16.8 29.9
2024 361 21.8 16.5 32.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Immunization Rates

South Whidbey High School

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201987.3%0.2%0.9%11.1%91.5%90.8%91.5%91.3%93.4%90.8%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South Whidbey High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $188 (1.2%) $15,757 (98.8%) $15,945
2020 $292 (2.2%) $12,998 (97.8%) $13,289
2021 $155 (0.9%) $16,922 (99.1%) $17,077
2022 $454 (2.3%) $19,271 (97.7%) $19,724

Data source: Washington Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Whidbey High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 43rd of 417 High schoolsRanks 66th of 442 High schools
 4.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (South Whidbey High School)83.376.5
 6.8%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (South Whidbey School District)80.275.5
 4.7%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)72.865.9
 6.9%
10th Grade Math (South Whidbey High School)61.140.6
 20.5%
   10th Grade Math (South Whidbey School District)51.439.4
 12%
   10th Grade Math (Washington)42.433.3
 9.1%
11th Grade Science (South Whidbey High School)67.778.4
 10.6%
   11th Grade Science (South Whidbey School District)66.380.4
 14.1%
   11th Grade Science (Washington)5050.5
 0.5%
All Grades English Language Arts (South Whidbey High School)83.376.5
 6.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (South Whidbey School District)63.954.8
 9.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (South Whidbey High School)61.140.6
 20.5%
   All Grades Math (South Whidbey School District)46.443.6
 2.8%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (South Whidbey High School)67.778.4
 10.6%
   All Grades Science (South Whidbey School District)63.559.2
 4.3%
   All Grades Science (Washington)52.748.8
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students440384
 12.7%
African American64
 33.3%
American Indian11
Asian147
 50%
Hispanic2936
 24.1%
Pacific Islander00
White361296
 18%
Two or More Races2935
 20.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients21.1%29.9%
 8.8%


Schools Near South Whidbey High School









Frequently Asked Questions about South Whidbey High School

Students at South Whidbey High School are 78% White, 10% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 2% African American, 2% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 361 students attended South Whidbey High School.

Yes. South Whidbey High School ranks in the top 9.4% of Washington high schools.

South Whidbey High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : South Whidbey Elementary
Middle : South Whidbey Middle


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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