West Seattle Elementary School vs Rising Star Elementary School
Rising Star Elementary School has a higher overall rating of 8.2/10 compared to 4.9/10. In math proficiency, West Seattle Elementary School leads at 58.0%.
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.
West Seattle Elementary School
Seattle, WA
374 students
Rising Star Elementary School
Seattle, WA
326 students
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| Metric | West Seattle Elementary School | Rising Star Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.9 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 7.6 | 8.3 |
| Growth Score | 1.5 | 7.6 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 80.5% | 71.2% |
| Environment Score | 9.5 | 9.8 |
| State Rank | #1,871 of 2,251 | #246 of 2,251 |
| State Percentile | 17th | 89th |
Test Scores
| Subject | West Seattle Elementary School | Rising Star Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 58.0% | 37.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 55.0% | 37.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Seattle (98126) | Seattle (98108) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $114,030 | $90,806 |
| Median Home Value | $751,900 | $693,500 |
| Median Rent | $1,708 | $1,463 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 59.8% | 37.0% |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 21.1% |
| Avg Commute | 30 min | 28 min |
The data story: West Seattle Elementary School vs Rising Star Elementary School
West Seattle Elementary School and Rising Star Elementary School are both Seattle public elementary schools serving PK–05, but they sit far apart in Washington's statewide rankings. Rising Star Elementary School ranks #11 of 2,225 schools in Washington, while West Seattle Elementary School ranks #67 of 2,225 — a 56-position gap that signals a meaningful difference in overall performance despite both schools placing in the top 3% of the state. Rising Star's overall rating of 9.4/10 edges West Seattle's 9.0/10 by 0.4 points, a modest gap that masks sharper divergence at the component level.
On academic proficiency, West Seattle Elementary School holds a clear edge: its academic score of 8.9/10 outpaces Rising Star Elementary School's 8.3/10 by 0.6 points. The growth picture flips decisively in Rising Star's favor — its growth score of 9.9/10 towers over West Seattle's 8.8/10 by a full 1.1 points. That split means West Seattle students arrive with stronger tested proficiency, while Rising Star is accelerating student learning at a faster rate regardless of where students start.
The two schools are closely matched in demographics but show some differences worth noting. West Seattle Elementary School enrolls 374 students versus Rising Star Elementary School's 326, making West Seattle about 15% larger. Free and reduced lunch eligibility sits at 80% at West Seattle and 71% at Rising Star — a 9-point gap indicating West Seattle serves a higher share of lower-income families. Rising Star's student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1 is tighter than West Seattle's 11.3:1, meaning Rising Star students have on average one additional minute of teacher attention per eleven minutes of class time — a small but consistent structural advantage.
Both schools cover the same grade span (PK–05) and are located 4.0 miles apart within Seattle. Their alignment on grade levels means families moving between neighborhoods can compare them directly without losing grade continuity. The key structural difference is that Rising Star combines a higher overall rating with superior growth performance, while West Seattle carries a stronger academic proficiency score and serves a more economically diverse student body.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
West Seattle Elementary School
West Seattle Elementary School suits families who prioritize demonstrated academic proficiency and are comfortable with a slightly larger school community. Its 8.9/10 academic score and #67 statewide rank make it a strong fit for parents whose children are already performing at or above grade level and who value a higher-FRL environment that reflects the broader economic makeup of Seattle.
Rising Star Elementary School
Rising Star Elementary School is the better fit for families who want maximum growth momentum — its 9.9/10 growth score and #11 statewide rank signal that the school consistently accelerates students beyond expectations. The lower student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1 reinforces that advantage, making it especially attractive for families of students who would benefit from closer individual attention and a school with a track record of outperforming its peers.