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Average

#850 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 38% 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

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#850 of 2,228

In Kennewick

#8 of 31

public schools

In district

#9 of 29

Kennewick School District

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Cottonwood Elementary

6.9/10

Elementary School in Kennewick · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Desert Hills Middle School

6.4/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Amon Creek Elementary

7.2/10

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cottonwood Elementary

Cottonwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Kennewick, WA, part of Kennewick School District. Cottonwood Elementary serves approximately 449 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottonwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #850 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Cottonwood Elementary show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2024) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

83% of students at Cottonwood 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 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.3% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+15.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.9 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,202
Chronic Absenteeism83.1%

Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 74.8% (multi-year average, 2010-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 80.6% (multi-year average, 2010-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 30 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
85%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
81%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
83%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
70.2%
ELA
78%
2024
Math
67.5%
ELA
72.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.

How Cottonwood Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in WA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
83.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Orchard Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Richland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marcus Whitman Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Richland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vista Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably 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 6.4
Amon Creek Elementary Richland 1.6 mi 7.2
Badger Mountain Elementary Richland 2.9 mi 6.4
Orchard Elementary Richland 3.0 mi 8.7
Sunset View Elementary School Kennewick 2.6 mi 5.9
Ridge View Elementary School Kennewick 2.7 mi 8.0
Vista Elementary School Kennewick 3.6 mi 8.5
Sage Crest Elementary Kennewick 3.4 mi 7.0
Fuerza Elementary Kennewick 3.3 mi 7.5
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 7.2
Lewis & Clark Elementary School Richland 5.5 mi 6.5
Southridge High School Kennewick 3.9 mi 4.1
Rivers Edge High School Richland 5.6 mi 3.6
Carmichael Middle School Richland 5.8 mi 4.8
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 8.6
Edison Elementary School Kennewick 4.2 mi 5.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bowman Creek Elementary Auburn, WA 6.9
Chain Lake Elementary School Snohomish, WA 6.9
Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont, WA 6.9
Cougar Valley Elementary Silverdale, WA 6.9
Crystal Springs Elementary Bothell, WA 6.9
Edison Elementary Edison, WA 6.9

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 ranks #850 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Cottonwood Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cottonwood Elementary has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2024) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
83.1%

District

Kennewick School District
District Enrollment
18,805
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,202
District Rank
#9 of 29

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