What percentage of public school funding in Washington state comes from the federal government?
Data updated December 17, 2024
About 12.4% or 1 in 8 dollars of public school funding, during the 2021-22 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Washington state received more funding from local or state governments than it did from federal sources. The totals differ by district, depending on factors such as student demographics (like poverty levels), availability of state and local revenues, and whether a district is urban, suburban, or rural.
Showing data for
12.4%
of public school funding came from federal sources, 2021-22 school year
$2.5K
federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2021-22 school year
During the 2021-22 school year, Washington schools received a lower share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (13.7%).
During the 2021-22 school year, public schools in Washington state received 12.4% of funding from the federal government.
Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources
In all, public schools in Washington state received $2.7 billion, or $2,512 in federal funds per student. That’s 1.0% lower than the national average of $2,536 per student.
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During the 2021-22 school year, public schools in Washington state received $2.5K per student from the federal government.
Public school district revenue per student coming from federal sources
Most federal public school funds are allocated based on formulas based on factors such as poverty status or a district’s rural location. Federal programs for schools include:
- Child nutrition programs: Administered by the Department of Agriculture, this includes National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
- Education for the disadvantaged: Also known as Title I, the federal government provides additional funds to schools with relatively high concentration of low-income students.
- Special education: According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, the federal government is authorized though not mandated to supply 40% of special education funds.
Among 295 school districts in Washington, the Nespelem School District received 57.7% of its funds from the federal government during the 2021-22 school year, more than any other in the state. The Stehekin School District in the Wenatchee, WA area received the smallest share at 0.0%.
Federal funding made up 0.0% to 57.7% of Washington state school district budgets in 2021-22.
Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources
Spokane Public Schools received 17.5% of its 2021-22 funding from federal sources, the highest among Washington’s 10 largest school districts. The Spokane Public Schools also had the highest federal funding in the group. It received $3,614 per student. The Northshore School District had the lowest share at 5.5% or $1,125 per student.
The 10 largest school districts in Washington state based on 2021-22 enrollment.
| 1. | Spokane Public Schools | 17.5% |
| 2. | Vancouver Public Schools | 15.7% |
| 3. | Federal Way School District | 15.0% |
| 4. | Evergreen School District (Clark) | 13.5% |
| 5. | Kent School District | 13.2% |
| 6. | Tacoma Public Schools | 12.8% |
| 7. | Puyallup School District | 9.9% |
| 8. | Seattle Public Schools | 9.3% |
| 9. | Lake Washington School District | 5.8% |
| 10. | Northshore School District | 5.5% |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
National Center for Education Statistics
Common Core of Data and Digest of Education Statistics
