Average
#1019 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 46% in state
Barnes Elementary
Elementary School · Kelso School District
401 Barnes, Kelso, WA 98626
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,019 of 2,228
In Kelso
#3 of 9
public schools
In district
#4 of 11
Kelso School District
School environment
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Barnes Elementary
Elementary School in Kelso · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Huntington Middle School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Special Education
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Barnes Elementary
Barnes Elementary is a public elementary school in Kelso, WA, part of Kelso School District. Barnes Elementary serves approximately 322 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Barnes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,019 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Barnes Elementary show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
53% of students at Barnes Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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 32 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: 6.5/10.
How Barnes Elementary Compares
See how Barnes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 Butler Acres Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rose Valley Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.8 |
| Special Education Kelso | 0.8 mi | — |
| Rose Valley Elementary Kelso | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design Kelso | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Butler Acres Elementary Kelso | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Cowlitz County Youth Services Center Longview | 1.4 mi | — |
| Kelso High School Kelso | 1.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Loowit High School Kelso | 1.3 mi | — |
| Coweeman Middle School Kelso | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Wallace Elementary Kelso | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Kelso Virtual Academy Longview | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Broadway Learning Center Longview | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Lexington Elementary Kelso | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Columbia Heights Elementary Longview | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Mark Morris High School Longview | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Cascade Middle School Longview | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| JOURNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kelso | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Northlake Elementary School Longview | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Black Lake Elementary Olympia, WA | 6.5 |
| CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY Bellevue, WA | 6.5 |
| Columbia Elementary Burbank, WA | 6.5 |
| Columbia Elementary School Bellingham, WA | 6.5 |
| Emerald Park Elementary School Kent, WA | 6.5 |
| La Conner Elementary La Conner, WA | 6.5 |
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 ranks #1,019 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Barnes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Barnes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Barnes Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Barnes Elementary has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 53.1%
- Phone
- (360) 501-1500
Resources & Links
District
Kelso School District- District Enrollment
- 4,949
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,984
- District Rank
- #4 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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