Below Average
#1841 of 2,228 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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,841 of 2,228
In Seatac
#5 of 8
public schools
In district
#21 of 34
Highline School District
School environment
7.0 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Bow Lake Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Bow Lake Elementary
Elementary School in Seatac · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chinook Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tyee High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bow Lake Elementary
Bow Lake Elementary is a public elementary school in Seatac, WA, part of Highline School District. Bow Lake Elementary serves approximately 520 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bow Lake Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,841 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Bow Lake Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 5.4
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at Bow Lake 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
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 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: 4.9/10.
How Bow Lake Elementary Compares
See how Bow Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. McMicken Heights Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Impact | Salish Sea Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Tukwila), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tukwila Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 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 | 5.0 |
| Tyee High School Seatac | 0.3 mi | 2.8 |
| SEATTLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Seatac | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Valley View Early Childhood Center Seatac | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| McMicken Heights Elementary Seatac | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Madrona Elementary Seatac | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Thorndyke Elementary Tukwila | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Impact Public Schools Tukwila | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Impact | Salish Sea Elementary Tukwila | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Foster Senior High School Tukwila | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Showalter Middle School Tukwila | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Tukwila Elementary Tukwila | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| River Ridge Elementary Seatac | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Cascade Public Schools Des Moines | 2.8 mi | — |
| Glacier Middle School Seatac | 2.8 mi | 3.3 |
| CHOICE Academy Seattle | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Highline Home School Center Burien | 2.0 mi | — |
| ACADEMY SCHOOLS Tukwila | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Cascade View Elementary Tukwila | 3.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Midway Elementary Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 3.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Wapato, WA | 4.7 |
| Artz Fox Elementary Mabton, WA | 4.7 |
| Cascade Elementary School Kennewick, WA | 4.7 |
| Cascadia Elementary Ferndale, WA | 4.7 |
| Finley Elementary Kennewick, WA | 4.7 |
| Garden Heights Elementary Moses Lake, WA | 4.7 |
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 ranks #1,841 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Bow Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bow Lake Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Bow Lake Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bow Lake Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.8%
- Phone
- (206) 631-3500
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #21 of 34
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.