312

Students awarded a LaunchNW scholarship

57%

Average FAFSA completion rate at FAFSA Completion Challenge schools in 2025, exceeding state and county averages

5,200

High school students engaged in mentorship through Mpower since 2023

18,734

Students involved in a club, a sport, the arts, or a community group during the 24-25 school year through Engage in Real Life

Data helps us better understand our region, and the impact of our work.

We use multiple sources of information on the local, state, and national level – participant surveys, focus groups, and institutional data from our partners – to better understand the support and needs of our region, and to learn about the impact of LaunchNW programs. Our work demonstrates that there is progress in some areas, while also highlighting the areas that deserve more attention and intervention.

Annual Impact Report

Our first LaunchNW Impact Report highlights the early outcomes of LaunchNW programming in our region.

  • Mpower Mentoring Program – 3,500 High school students engaged in mentorship at 13 schools during the 2024-2025 school year

  • Engage in Real Life – 63% of the Spokane Public Schools student body engaged in a real-life activity

  • All It Takes Is One – 40% increase in new volunteer registrations on volunteerspokane.org from April 2024 to April 2025

  • FAFSA – 64% FAFSA completion rate at Riverside High School, surpassing the Washington State average of 50% in 2025

  • 298 LaunchNW scholars – 200 are awardees using funds for the first time, and 98 are returning students. We estimate $912,000 will be disbursed to local students this year.

Trending Positively

Notable data shows proof of progress toward our mission.

During the 2024-2025 school year, FAFSA Opens Doors launched a FAFSA completion challenge at five high schools. Across these participating schools, FAFSA completion rates climbed to 57%, exceeding both the Washington State average of 50% and the Spokane County average of 49% for the class of 2025. Notable completion rates among these schools include:

  • 64% Riverside High School
  • 64% West Valley High School
  • 62% Rogers High School

Through the work of Engagement Navigators across the school district and a robust activity calendar, EngageIRL is helping students at Spokane Public Schools (SPS) get off their devices and into real-world activities that enrich their lives. During the 2024-2025 school year, 63% of the SPS student body, including 18,734 students, was involved in a school club, a sport, the arts, or a community group. Attendance has increased at schools where children are engaged in these extracurricular activities:

  • 9% at Holmes Elementary
  • 6% at Rogers High School
  • 4% across participating middle schools

The Mpower Mentoring Program connects students at 13 Spokane County high schools with mentors who support their educational journeys. With over 5,200 high school students engaged in the program since 2023, participants report increased experiences of belonging and are on pace to outperform Washington State’s average rate of FAFSA completion. With each year, participant in the program has climbed:

  • 3,500 High school students engaged at 13 schools during the 2024-2025 school year
  • 1,700 High schools students engaged at 8 schools during the 2023-2024 school year

Our Greatest Needs Now

Notable data shows room for improvement.

For many communities in our region, rates of post-high school enrollment lag well behind the state average: in some Eastern Washington and North Idaho counties, fewer than 1 out of 3 high school graduates are going on to enroll in education or training.

According to a recent national study, rural students are more than twice as likely as urban students to attend a high school without a school counselor. In our region, students in Northeastern Washington and North Idaho face geographic challenges, as they are especially isolated from higher education options.

National and local trends point to discouraging trends: more adults are needed to volunteer and mentor in youth-serving organizations, but fewer are stepping forward. Data from the US Census Bureau show that adult volunteerism is at its lowest level in over 20 years.

EXPLORE THE DATA

Spokane County Data Dashboard

Compiled by the Center for Educational Effectiveness, this dashboard features data across all Spokane County school districts.

Healthy Youth Survey Data

Through a collaborative effort of the Health Care Authority – Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) and Looking Glass Analytics this survey is  administered to 6th – 12th grade students across Washington State.

Rural Data

This interactive map features data by county across Eastern Washington.