Below Average
#2058 of 2,225 schools in WA
Bow Lake Elementary
Elementary School · Highline School District
18237 42nd Ave S, Seatac, WA 98188
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seatac
#7 of 8
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#1,166 of 1,202
In district
#28 of 34
Highline School District
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Bow Lake Elementary
Bow Lake Elementary is a regular public elementary school in SeaTac, Washington, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 520 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, Bow Lake offers a supportive learning environment with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a large suburban area, providing easy access for families living nearby.
Bow Lake Elementary focuses on student development through various programs tailored to the needs of young learners. While the academic performance data shows room for improvement—MySchoolScout’s rating is 3 out of 10 and it ranks at #1984 among Washington state schools—the school community continues to work towards enhancing educational outcomes. In terms of proficiency levels, only 21% of students are proficient in English Language Arts/Reading and Math, while Science sees a lower percentage of 11%.
These figures indicate areas where the school is concentrating its efforts for improvement. Bow Lake Elementary is part of a vibrant suburban community in SeaTac, offering families an engaged environment with opportunities to get involved in their children’s education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bow Lake Elementary — Students at Bow Lake Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.7%
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: 3.1/10.
How Bow Lake Elementary Compares
See how Bow Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 17.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 17.1% (2024).
Location
18237 42nd Ave S, Seatac, WA 98188
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bow Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Impact | Salish Sea Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Tukwila), which scores notably higher. Another option is Madrona Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tukwila Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Tukwila), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Seatac, see our Seatac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook Middle School Seatac | 0.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Tyee High School Seatac | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| SEATTLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Seatac | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Valley View Early Childhood Center Seatac | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| McMicken Heights Elementary Seatac | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Madrona Elementary Seatac | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Thorndyke Elementary Tukwila | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Impact Public Schools Tukwila | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Impact | Salish Sea Elementary Tukwila | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Foster Senior High School Tukwila | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Showalter Middle School Tukwila | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Tukwila Elementary Tukwila | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| River Ridge Elementary Seatac | 2.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Cascade Public Schools Des Moines | 2.8 mi | — |
| Glacier Middle School Seatac | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
| CHOICE Academy Seattle | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Highline Home School Center Burien | 2.0 mi | — |
| ACADEMY SCHOOLS Tukwila | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Cascade View Elementary Tukwila | 3.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Midway Elementary Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 3.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98188 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,559
Median Home Value
$452,900
Median Rent
$1,641/mo
Population
26,769
College Educated
26.5%
Homeownership
41.6%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bow Lake Elementary has a median household income of $76,559. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,900, with a median rent of $1,641/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Madison Elementary Everett, WA | 4.1 |
| Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma, WA | 4.0 |
| Blaine Elementary School Blaine, WA | 4.2 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma, WA | 4.2 |
| Logan Elementary Spokane, WA | 4.2 |
| Valley View Elementary Toppenish, WA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bow Lake Elementary
What grades does Bow Lake Elementary serve?
Bow Lake Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bow Lake Elementary?
Bow Lake Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 520 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bow Lake Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bow Lake Elementary is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bow Lake Elementary rank in WA?
Bow Lake Elementary is ranked #2058 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Bow Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bow Lake Elementary has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Bow Lake Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bow Lake Elementary has 20.9% math proficiency and 21.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bow Lake Elementary a charter school?
No, Bow Lake Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bow Lake Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bow Lake Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bow Lake Elementary?
81.7% of students at Bow Lake 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,376/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seatac). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 520
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 631-3500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #28 of 34
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
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