Trout Lake Elementary

Tucked into the shadow of Mount Adams in Washington's Cascade foothills, Trout Lake Elementary serves a tight-knit rural community where outdoor adventure is practically part of the curriculum. Families who land here tend to love the small-school feel — where teachers know every kid by name and the surrounding landscape offers a kind of hands-on learning you can't find in a city classroom. With solid scores hovering around the 69th percentile, it punches well above what you might expect from a tiny district, making it a genuinely appealing choice for families drawn to rural Washington life.