Average
#1323 of 2,225 schools in WA
Barnes Elementary
Elementary School · Kelso School District
401 Barnes, Kelso, WA 98626
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kelso
#6 of 9
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#872 of 1,202
In district
#7 of 11
Kelso School District
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Barnes Elementary
Barnes Elementary in Kelso, Washington is a charming public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 322 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, Barnes provides a supportive learning environment with ample individual attention for each child. The dedicated teaching staff includes 25 full-time equivalent educators who work hard to foster growth and development in their young students.
Barnes Elementary's academic performance shows room for improvement, as indicated by the school’s MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and its state ranking at #1384 out of 2261 schools across Washington (placing it around the 39th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates in core subjects, 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 31% in Math, and 41% in Science. These figures highlight areas where the school can focus on further academic development for its students.
Barnes Elementary is situated in a small city setting, offering a close-knit community feel that extends beyond just the school grounds. The school’s commitment to nurturing young minds makes it an inviting place for families looking for a warm and supportive educational environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Barnes Elementary — Students at Barnes Elementary score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.
How Barnes Elementary Compares
See how Barnes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 26.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37.5% (2024).
Location
401 Barnes, Kelso, WA 98626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Barnes Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lexington Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rose Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wallace Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kelso, see our Kelso schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington Middle School Kelso | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Special Education Kelso | 0.8 mi | — |
| Rose Valley Elementary Kelso | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design Kelso | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Butler Acres Elementary Kelso | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Cowlitz County Youth Services Center Longview | 1.4 mi | — |
| Kelso High School Kelso | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Loowit High School Kelso | 1.3 mi | — |
| Coweeman Middle School Kelso | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Wallace Elementary Kelso | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Kelso Virtual Academy Longview | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Broadway Learning Center Longview | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Lexington Elementary Kelso | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Columbia Heights Elementary Longview | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Mark Morris High School Longview | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Cascade Middle School Longview | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| JOURNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kelso | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Northlake Elementary School Longview | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| BIG LEAF MONTESSORI SCHOOL Longview | 2.2 mi | — |
| THREE RIVERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Longview | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,058
Median Home Value
$339,800
Median Rent
$1,169/mo
Population
26,948
College Educated
14.9%
Homeownership
68.1%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Median Age
40.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Barnes Elementary has a median household income of $70,058. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,800, with a median rent of $1,169/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Wapato, WA | 5.9 |
| Central Elementary Ferndale, WA | 5.9 |
| Garden Heights Elementary Moses Lake, WA | 5.9 |
| George C Marshall Elementary Vancouver, WA | 5.9 |
| Green Lake Elementary School Seattle, WA | 5.9 |
| HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Edmonds, WA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Barnes Elementary
What grades does Barnes Elementary serve?
Barnes Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Barnes Elementary?
Barnes Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 322 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Barnes Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Barnes Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Barnes Elementary rank in WA?
Barnes Elementary is ranked #1323 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Barnes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Barnes Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Barnes Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barnes Elementary has 30.9% math proficiency and 38.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Barnes Elementary a charter school?
No, Barnes Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Barnes Elementary a Title I school?
No, Barnes Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barnes Elementary?
81.4% of students at Barnes Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,171/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kelso). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 322
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cowlitz County
- Phone
- (360) 501-1500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kelso School District- District Enrollment
- 4,949
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,984
- District Rank
- #7 of 11
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.