Meridian Elementary School vs Sunrise Elementary School
Sunrise Elementary School has a higher overall rating of 5.5/10 compared to 4.8/10. In math proficiency, Sunrise Elementary School leads at 68.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Meridian Elementary School
Kent, WA
412 students
Sunrise Elementary School
Kent, WA
489 students
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| Metric | Meridian Elementary School | Sunrise Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.8 / 10 | 5.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 7.2 | 8.9 |
| Growth Score | 2.3 | 2.2 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 40.8% | 48.1% |
| Environment Score | 7.5 | 8.4 |
| State Rank | #1,892 of 2,251 | #1,540 of 2,251 |
| State Percentile | 16th | 32th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Meridian Elementary School | Sunrise Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 53.0% | 68.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 55.0% | 70.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Kent (98042) | Kent (98042) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $125,554 | $125,554 |
| Median Home Value | $613,000 | $613,000 |
| Median Rent | $2,121 | $2,121 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 33.7% | 33.7% |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 4.1% |
| Avg Commute | 34 min | 34 min |
The data story: Meridian Elementary School vs Sunrise Elementary School
Meridian Elementary School and Sunrise Elementary School sit 2.2 miles apart in Kent, Washington, yet land at virtually the same overall rating — both score 9.1/10. Their state ranks reflect this near-tie: Meridian Elementary School ranks #76 of 2,225 Washington elementary schools, Sunrise Elementary School ranks #77 of 2,225. For parents weighing the two, the overall rating offers no practical differentiation; the meaningful gaps emerge one layer deeper.
On academics, Sunrise Elementary School holds a clear edge with an academic score of 9.5/10 versus Meridian Elementary School's 8.7/10 — a 0.8-point gap that signals stronger current proficiency outcomes. Meridian Elementary School counters on growth: its growth score of 9.7/10 outpaces Sunrise Elementary School's 9.0/10, meaning students at Meridian are gaining ground at a faster rate relative to expectations. Families prioritizing high absolute achievement today will favor Sunrise; those who want to watch a child accelerate — especially one entering below grade level — will find Meridian's growth trajectory more compelling.
Sunrise Elementary School enrolls 489 students to Meridian Elementary School's 412, and that size difference carries through to the classroom. Meridian's student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 is notably tighter than Sunrise's 16.3:1, translating to roughly 1.6 fewer students per teacher on average. On the economic equity dimension, Sunrise Elementary School serves a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students — 48% qualify for free or reduced lunch versus 41% at Meridian Elementary School — suggesting Sunrise draws from a slightly more economically diverse catchment area.
Both schools serve grades PK–05, so there is no difference in grade span for families with children across the elementary years. The two schools' near-identical overall ratings and consecutive state ranks confirm they are genuine peers — the choice ultimately comes down to whether a family places more weight on peak academic proficiency or on year-over-year student growth, and whether smaller class sizes are a priority worth the tradeoff in enrollment diversity.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Meridian Elementary School
Meridian Elementary School suits families whose child needs to close an academic gap or who prioritize classroom attention — its growth score of 9.7/10 and tighter 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio make it the stronger fit for a student who benefits from a faster growth environment and more individualized teacher access.
Sunrise Elementary School
Sunrise Elementary School is the better match for families whose child is already performing at or above grade level and want the highest academic proficiency ceiling available — its 9.5/10 academic score leads by 0.8 points, and its larger enrollment of 489 students offers broader peer diversity reflecting Kent's broader economic range.