Families weighing a move to the Olympic Peninsula — or deciding where to put down roots within Clallam County — may want to take a close look at Niche’s 2026 school district rankings.
The rankings paint a mixed but revealing picture of education across the county, with Port Angeles and Cape Flattery emerging as the top-rated districts despite very different strengths and challenges.
Quick Takeaways
- No. 1 district: Port Angeles School District
- Biggest surprise: Cape Flattery earned strong marks for facilities, diversity, and graduation rates despite lower test scores
- Strongest academics: Port Angeles posted the county’s highest reading, math, SAT, and ACT scores
- Best standout category: Cape Flattery received an A for resources and facilities
- Notable pattern: Smaller districts tended to score better in student-teacher ratios, while larger districts performed better academically
Top Districts In Clallam County
- Port Angeles School District – Overall Grade: B-
Grades:
- Academics: B
- Diversity: B
- Teachers: B
- College Prep: B-
- Clubs & Activities: C
- Administration: D+
- Sports: C+
- Food: C
- Resources & Facilities: C
Key Stats:
- 3,530 students
- Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
- Reading proficiency: 55%
- Math proficiency: 44%
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Average SAT: 1200
- Average ACT: 24
- Average teacher salary: $85,081
According to Niche’s 2026 rankings, Port Angeles School District edged out the rest of the county thanks largely to stronger academic performance and college readiness metrics.
The district posted the highest math and reading proficiency rates in the county data provided, along with the strongest SAT and ACT averages.
Port Angeles also offers the largest and most traditional public school experience in Clallam County, with a broader student population and more extensive academic offerings than many smaller rural districts on the peninsula.
Still, the rankings reveal some weaker areas. Administration received a D+ grade, while clubs, activities, sports, and facilities all landed in the C range.
That suggests a district that performs reasonably well in the classroom but may still face challenges tied to resources, student experience, or infrastructure.
- Cape Flattery School District – Overall Grade: B-
Grades:
- Academics: C
- Diversity: A-
- Teachers: B-
- College Prep: B-
- Clubs & Activities: B
- Administration: C+
- Sports: B
- Food: B+
- Resources & Facilities: A
Key Stats:
- 493 students
- Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
- Reading proficiency: 38%
- Math proficiency: 28%
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Average SAT: 1040
- Average teacher salary: $90,126
Cape Flattery School District tells a very different story. Located in the far northwestern corner of the continental United States, the district serves a much smaller student population and posted lower academic proficiency scores than Port Angeles.
But the district stood out in several quality-of-life categories.
Cape Flattery earned an A for resources and facilities, along with strong grades for diversity, food, sports, and extracurricular activities. It also posted a notably high 90% graduation rate and smaller class sizes with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio.
The rankings suggest a district where individualized attention and community atmosphere may help offset some academic challenges tied to the region’s rural geography and smaller population base.
Countywide Analysis
One of the clearest patterns in Clallam County’s rankings is the divide between academic performance and student environment.
Port Angeles performed better in traditional academic metrics like test scores and college readiness, while Cape Flattery stood out more for facilities, diversity, extracurriculars, and graduation rates.
That split reflects the broader realities of life on the Olympic Peninsula.
Larger districts like Port Angeles often benefit from broader academic programming and more course offerings. Smaller rural districts, meanwhile, can sometimes offer tighter-knit communities and smaller class sizes but may face challenges tied to geography, staffing, or economic limitations.
The rankings also highlight how varied education experiences can be even within the same county.
What This Means For Families
Families prioritizing academics and college preparation may naturally gravitate toward Port Angeles based on the data.
The district’s stronger test scores and higher SAT and ACT averages could appeal to parents focused heavily on academic outcomes.
Meanwhile, Cape Flattery may appeal more to families looking for smaller class sizes, stronger extracurricular experiences, and a more intimate school environment.
The district’s lower student-teacher ratio and higher graduation rate may stand out to parents seeking more individualized attention.
At the same time, Niche’s rankings are only one snapshot of school quality.
School culture, teacher relationships, special programs, commute times, extracurricular opportunities, and family needs can all shape whether a district feels like the right fit.
The Bottom Line
According to Niche’s 2026 rankings, Port Angeles remains the academic heavyweight in Clallam County, while Cape Flattery offers a smaller, more community-focused alternative with strong graduation rates and facilities.
Click here to view the complete Clallam County rankings from Niche.
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