Excellent
#304 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 14% in state
Cottonwood Elementary School
Elementary School · West Valley School District (Yakima)
1041 S 96th Ave, Yakima, WA 98908
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Yakima
#3 of 39
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#281 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 11
West Valley School District (Yakima)
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Cottonwood Elementary School
Cottonwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Yakima, WA, part of the West Valley School District (Yakima). The school serves approximately 368 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 86.4th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math, 21 points above the state average and 71% in reading/language arts, 20 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $80,266, where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Cottonwood Elementary School — Students at Cottonwood Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary School Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 65.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 70.8% (2024).
Location
1041 S 96th Ave, Yakima, WA 98908
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gilbert Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ahtanum Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Apple Valley Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Yakima, see our Yakima schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 9-12 Yakima | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY 7-8 Yakima | 0.9 mi | — |
| WEST VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY K-6 Yakima | 0.9 mi | — |
| West Valley Innovation Center Yakima | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| West Valley High School Yakima | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| West Valley Open Doors Yakima | 0.9 mi | — |
| West Valley Virtual University Yakima | 0.9 mi | — |
| Apple Valley Elementary Yakima | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| West Valley Mid-Level Campus Yakima | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Wide Hollow Elementary Yakima | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| West Valley Preschool Yakima | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Summitview Elementary Yakima | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| CHRIST THE TEACHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Yakima | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| YAKIMA ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yakima | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Wilson Middle School Yakima | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Whitney Elementary Yakima | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Eisenhower High School Yakima | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Yakima | 3.4 mi | 8.7 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF YAKIMA Yakima | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98908 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,266
Median Home Value
$356,900
Median Rent
$1,302/mo
Population
37,921
College Educated
32.8%
Homeownership
69.6%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary School has a median household income of $80,266. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,900, with a median rent of $1,302/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima, WA | 8.2 |
| Arrowhead Elementary Kenmore, WA | 8.2 |
| B F Day Elementary School Seattle, WA | 8.2 |
| Basin City Elem Connell, WA | 8.2 |
| Crestwood Elementary Bonney Lake, WA | 8.2 |
| Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor, WA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary School
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary School serve?
Cottonwood Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary School?
Cottonwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 368 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary School rank in WA?
Cottonwood Elementary School is ranked #304 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Cottonwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary School has 67.2% math proficiency and 70.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary School?
40.2% of students at Cottonwood Elementary School 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Yakima). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 368
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Yakima County
- Phone
- (509) 965-2052
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Valley School District (Yakima)- District Enrollment
- 5,520
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,141
- District Rank
- #1 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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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