Skip to main content

Excellent

#13 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 1% in state

Camas Prairie Elementary

Elementary School · Bethel School District

320 176th St E, Spanaway, WA 98387

Enrollment

512

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

9.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spanaway

#1 of 14

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#13 of 1,202

In district

#1 of 33

Bethel School District

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Camas Prairie Elementary

Camas Prairie Elementary serves 512 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Spanaway, Washington. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.1 to 1, classes stay small enough for teachers to focus on individual students — a structural advantage that shows up in the school's outcomes. The school earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10 and carries an Exceptional rating.

Its academic score of 9.1 is strong, but the growth score of 9.6 is the sharper signal. Students at Camas Prairie advance faster than nearly every comparable school in the state, regardless of where they started. That combination — high baseline performance and high growth — is unusual at any level, and particularly rare in a public elementary setting.

Statewide, Camas Prairie ranks 13th out of 2,225 public schools in Washington, placing it in the top 1% across the state. It outperforms 100% of Washington schools on the composite index. Within Spanaway, it holds the top spot among 14 public schools.

For families weighing school options in the area, Camas Prairie is the local standard-bearer.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.2%
Math vs. State Avg+7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+20.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,195

Camas Prairie Elementary — Students at Camas Prairie Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 58.2%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 56.6%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2022
ELA
54%
2024
Math
59.5%
ELA
57.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.

How Camas Prairie Elementary Compares

See how Camas Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.3/10
100th percentile in WA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

320 176th St E, Spanaway, WA 98387

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Camas Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), with a comparable rating. Another option is Clover Creek Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), a more accessible option. Additionally, Elmhurst Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), a more accessible option. For more schools in Spanaway, see our Spanaway schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Challenger High School Spanaway 0.3 mi 4.2
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 0.7 mi 4.9
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 1.0 mi 4.1
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 0.9 mi 5.2
Evergreen Elementary Spanaway 0.8 mi 4.5
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 1.1 mi 4.0
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 1.0 mi 5.8
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway 1.0 mi 5.2
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 1.2 mi 5.7
Spanaway Middle School Tacoma 1.3 mi 7.2
IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma 2.0 mi
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma 1.8 mi 8.3
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 2.6 mi 6.4
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 2.7 mi 6.9
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 3.0 mi 6.7
CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma 2.1 mi 5.0
Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma 2.3 mi 5.0
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 3.0 mi 8.1
Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma 2.3 mi 8.1
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 3.3 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,141

Median Home Value

$424,100

Median Rent

$1,837/mo

Population

49,940

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

37.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

34.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Camas Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $101,141. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $424,100, with a median rent of $1,837/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Freeman Elementary School Rockford, WA 9.3
Rising Star Elementary School Seattle, WA 9.4
Asotin Elementary Asotin, WA 9.2
Browne Elementary Spokane, WA 9.2
Cascade Ridge Elementary Sammamish, WA 9.2
Christa Mcauliffe Elementary Sammamish, WA 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Camas Prairie Elementary

What grades does Camas Prairie Elementary serve?

Camas Prairie Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Camas Prairie Elementary?

Camas Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 512 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Camas Prairie Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Camas Prairie Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Camas Prairie Elementary rank in WA?

Camas Prairie Elementary is ranked #13 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Camas Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Camas Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Camas Prairie Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Camas Prairie Elementary has 58.2% math proficiency and 56.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Camas Prairie Elementary a charter school?

No, Camas Prairie Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Camas Prairie Elementary a Title I school?

No, Camas Prairie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Camas Prairie Elementary?

62.1% of students at Camas Prairie 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (763/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bethel School District
District Enrollment
21,539
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,370
District Rank
#1 of 33

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 methodology

Related 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.