Kettle Falls Middle School

Kettle Falls Middle School sits in a small, tight-knit community in the forested hills of Stevens County, about an hour north of Spokane near the Columbia River — the kind of place where kids know their teachers by name and school events actually bring the whole town out. The school shows particular strength in science, which makes sense given the outdoor-rich environment surrounding it, and families who value a close community feel over a big-district experience tend to find it a good fit. If you're drawn to small-town Eastern Washington life — hunting, fishing, wide open spaces — and want a school where your kid won't get lost in the crowd, Kettle Falls is worth a look.