Our Region
Vast and Diverse
Our work is shaped by a deep understanding of the communities we serve
REL Northwest serves the geographically vast and demographically diverse region consisting of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Comprising more than 1 million square miles, the Northwest makes up almost 30 percent of the total land mass of the United States. The region's American Indian and Alaska Native student enrollment rate is more than three times the national average, and it is particularly high in Alaska (23 percent) and Montana (11 percent). About 1 in 5 students in the region is Latinx—the largest and fastest-growing student group in the Northwest. Across the region, students classified as English learners make up about 10 percent of the student population, and 44 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
Race/Ethnicity
3% American Indian/Alaska Native
5% Pacific Islander
3% Black
1% Hawaiian
20% Hispanic
7% Two or more races
61% White
Urbanicity
36% City
31% Suburban
21% Town
13% Rural
2,263,520
Students
5,767
Schools
1,266
Districts
80%
Graduation Rate
10%
English Learners
44%
Free/Reduced Lunch
13%
Special Education
Race/Ethnicity
23% American Indian/Alaska Native
6% Pacific Islander
3% Black
3% Hawaiian
7% Hispanic
11% Two or more races
48% White
Urbanicity
47% City
5% Suburban
23% Town
26% Rural
132,872
Students
513
Schools
54
Districts
78%
Graduation Rate
12%
English Learners
44%
Free/Reduced Lunch
14%
Special Education
Race/Ethnicity
1% American Indian/Alaska Native
1% Pacific Islander
1% Black
18% Hispanic
3% Two or more races
75% White
Urbanicity
23% City
28% Suburban
25% Town
23% Rural
301,186
Students
756
Schools
167
Districts
80%
Graduation Rate
6%
English Learners
44%
Free/Reduced Lunch
11%
Special Education
Race/Ethnicity
11% American Indian/Alaska Native
1% Pacific Islander
1% Black
5% Hispanic
4% Two or more races
79% White
Urbanicity
25% City
2% Suburban
40% Town
33% Rural
146,625
Students
822
Schools
489
Districts
86%
Graduation Rate
2%
English Learners
44%
Free/Reduced Lunch
13%
Special Education
Race/Ethnicity
1% American Indian/Alaska Native
4% Pacific Islander
2% Black
1% Hawaiian
23% Hispanic
6% Two or more races
63% White
Urbanicity
42% City
22% Suburban
26% Town
10% Rural
572,470
Students
1,249
Schools
222
Districts
77%
Graduation Rate
9%
English Learners
46%
Free/Reduced Lunch
15%
Special Education
Race/Ethnicity
1% American Indian/Alaska Native
8% Pacific Islander
4% Black
1% Hawaiian
23% Hispanic
8% Two or more races
54% White
Urbanicity
37% City
43% Suburban
13% Town
8% Rural
1,110,367
Students
2,427
Schools
334
Districts
79%
Graduation Rate
12%
English Learners
43%
Free/Reduced Lunch
13%
Special Education
Note: Totals may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding.
Data Sources
For school and district count, student count, free or reduced-price lunch, English learner students, individualized education program, urbanicity, and race/ethnicity: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD), "Local Education Agency (School District) Universe Survey", 2017-18 v.1a; "Local Education Agency (School District) Universe Survey Geographic Data (EDGE)", 2017-18 v.1a; "Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey", 2017-18 v.1a.
For the public high school graduation rate: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Consolidated State Performance Report, 2016-17. See Digest of Education Statistics 2018, table 219.46. Note: 2016-17 was the most current year available.