Very Good
#456 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 20% in state
Cottonwood Elementary
Elementary School · Kennewick School District
16734 S. Cottonwood Creek Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99338
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kennewick
#1 of 6
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#397 of 1,202
In district
#6 of 29
Kennewick School District
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Cottonwood Elementary
Cottonwood Elementary serves 449 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Kennewick, Washington, and stands out as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking 58th out of 2,261 Washington elementary schools, the school places in the 98th percentile statewide. The academic excellence is particularly evident in reading and language arts, where 78% of students across all grade levels achieve proficiency or above.
The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.5 to 1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment that supports individualized attention. Students benefit from strong academic programming that has earned the school an impressive 9.2 out of 10 academic score. Located on South Cottonwood Creek Boulevard, the school serves a well-educated and economically stable community where 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $120,020.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 6.8% reflects the area's affluence, with median home values around $457,300. Cottonwood Elementary operates within Kennewick's large suburban setting in Benton County, providing students with access to both quality education and a thriving residential community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.5%
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: 7.3/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 67.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 72.3% (2024).
Location
16734 S. Cottonwood Creek Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99338
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marcus Whitman Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Richland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ridge View Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Vista Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kennewick, see our Kennewick schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Hills Middle School Kennewick | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Amon Creek Elementary Richland | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Badger Mountain Elementary Richland | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Orchard Elementary Richland | 3.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Sunset View Elementary School Kennewick | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Ridge View Elementary School Kennewick | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Vista Elementary School Kennewick | 3.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Sage Crest Elementary Kennewick | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Fuerza Elementary Kennewick | 3.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Mid-Columbia Parent Partnership Kennewick | 3.3 mi | 4.5 |
| SAGEBRUSH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Richland | 5.3 mi | — |
| White Bluffs Elementary School Richland | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School Richland | 5.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Southridge High School Kennewick | 3.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Rivers Edge High School Richland | 5.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Carmichael Middle School Richland | 5.8 mi | 5.5 |
| SAGEBRUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richland | 5.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Benton/Franklin Juvenile Justice Center Kennewick | 4.4 mi | — |
| Marcus Whitman Elementary Richland | 5.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Edison Elementary School Kennewick | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99338 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$116,002
Median Home Value
$526,700
Median Rent
$1,474/mo
Population
19,235
College Educated
42.4%
Homeownership
83.7%
Avg Commute
21.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary has a median household income of $116,002. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $526,700, with a median rent of $1,474/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| A J West Elementary Aberdeen, WA | 7.7 |
| Badger Mountain Elementary Richland, WA | 7.7 |
| Cascade Elementary Marysville, WA | 7.7 |
| Cascade View Elementary Snohomish, WA | 7.7 |
| Central Emerson Elementary Snohomish, WA | 7.7 |
| Columbia Valley Garden Elem Schl Longview, WA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary?
Cottonwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary rank in WA?
Cottonwood Elementary is ranked #456 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Cottonwood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary has 68.6% math proficiency and 75.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary?
20.5% of students at Cottonwood 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kennewick). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 449
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Benton County
- Phone
- (509) 222-6404
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kennewick School District- District Enrollment
- 18,805
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #6 of 29
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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