Stephen Decatur Elementary School vs Magnolia Elementary School
Stephen Decatur Elementary School and Magnolia Elementary School are very closely rated, both scoring around 9.2 out of 10. Magnolia Elementary School is significantly larger with 338 students, about 1.8× the size of Stephen Decatur Elementary School (187). In math proficiency, Stephen Decatur Elementary School leads at 97.5%.
Stephen Decatur Elementary School
Seattle, WA
187 students
Magnolia Elementary School
Seattle, WA
338 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Stephen Decatur Elementary School | Magnolia Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2 / 10 | 9.2 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 10.0 | 8.4 |
| Growth Score | 9.1 | 10.0 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 6.4% | 15.4% |
| Environment Score | 8.1 | 8.6 |
| State Rank | #31 of 2,225 | #32 of 2,225 |
| State Percentile | 99th | 99th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Stephen Decatur Elementary School | Magnolia Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 97.5% | 63.8% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | 40.1% |
| ELA Proficiency | 97.5% | 62.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Stephen Decatur Elementary School | Magnolia Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 5th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 187 | 338 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 17.0:1 | 16.1:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 6.4% | 15.4% |
| Chronic Absenteeism | — | — |
| District | Seattle School District No. 1 | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| City | Seattle | Seattle |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Seattle (98115) | Seattle (98199) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $148,190 | $176,729 |
| Median Home Value | $1,041,500 | $1,160,000 |
| Median Rent | $2,118 | $2,461 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 78.3% | 76.9% |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% |
| Avg Commute | 25 min | 27 min |
The data story: Stephen Decatur Elementary School vs Magnolia Elementary School
Stephen Decatur Elementary School and Magnolia Elementary School sit just 6.0 miles apart in Seattle and share an identical overall rating of 9.2/10, landing at consecutive state ranks — Stephen Decatur Elementary School at #31 of 2225 Washington schools and Magnolia Elementary School at #32 of 2225. At the top tier of a 2,225-school field, the separation is negligible in practical terms, but the schools diverge significantly when you look past the headline number.
The academic and growth scores tell two different stories. Stephen Decatur Elementary School posts a perfect academic score of 10.0/10 against Magnolia Elementary School's 8.4/10 — a 1.6-point gap that reflects stronger current proficiency levels. Magnolia Elementary School flips the script on growth, earning a 10.0/10 compared to Stephen Decatur Elementary School's 9.1/10, meaning students at Magnolia are gaining ground at a faster rate relative to their peers. Whether a family prioritizes high existing achievement levels or above-average academic momentum will largely determine which number matters more.
The two schools differ noticeably in size and socioeconomic composition. Magnolia Elementary School enrolls 338 students — nearly double Stephen Decatur Elementary School's 187 — while the student-teacher ratios are close: 17.0:1 at Stephen Decatur versus 16.1:1 at Magnolia. The free and reduced lunch rates diverge more sharply: 6% at Stephen Decatur Elementary School versus 15% at Magnolia Elementary School, indicating Magnolia serves a broader economic cross-section of Seattle families.
One structural difference matters for families with younger children: Magnolia Elementary School offers Pre-K through 5th grade, while Stephen Decatur Elementary School begins at Kindergarten. Families with preschool-age children who want to keep siblings at the same campus have only one option between these two. For those whose children are already Kindergarten-age or older, both schools deliver instruction through 5th grade on otherwise comparable academic platforms.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Stephen Decatur Elementary School
Stephen Decatur Elementary School suits families who prioritize current academic achievement above all else — its 10.0/10 academic score and smaller 187-student enrollment appeal to parents who want a high-performing, intimate environment with a relatively homogeneous, low-FRL population. It fits best when a Pre-K program is not needed.
Magnolia Elementary School
Magnolia Elementary School is the stronger fit for families who value growth trajectory, want a Pre-K entry point, or prefer a larger school community that reflects a wider economic mix. Its 10.0/10 growth score signals students are advancing at an exceptional pace, and its PK–05 span makes it a single-campus solution from preschool through elementary graduation.