Very Good
#418 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 19% in state
Custer Elementary School
Elementary School · Clover Park School District
7801 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
Enrollment
313
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
313
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakewood
#2 of 18
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#366 of 1,202
In district
#5 of 25
Clover Park School District
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Custer Elementary School
Custer Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Lakewood, Washington. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 313 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1. The school boasts 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
Custer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating is 6.1 out of 10, placing it in the 62nd percentile among Washington state schools. Its academic score of 4.8/10 indicates there is room for growth and improvement. In standardized tests, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 34% are proficient or above in Math, and 30% are proficient or above in Science.
Custer Elementary School is situated in a small city setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where parents can easily engage with school activities and events. The school focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages student development across various subjects.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Custer Elementary School — Students at Custer Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.9%
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: 8.8/10.
How Custer Elementary School Compares
See how Custer Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 33% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 43.2% (2024).
Location
7801 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Custer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chambers Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby University Pla), which scores notably higher. Another option is Four Heroes Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST FRANCES CABRINI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lakewood, see our Lakewood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood | 0.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Oakridge Group Home Lakewood | 0.6 mi | — |
| Dower Elementary School Lakewood | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Firwood Steilacoom | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Transition Day Students Lakewood | 0.9 mi | — |
| CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Idlewild Elementary School Lakewood | 1.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Oak Grove Lakewood | 1.1 mi | — |
| Park Lodge Elementary School Lakewood | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Lochburn Middle School Lakewood | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Drum Intermediate University Pla | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Chambers Elementary University Pla | 2.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Clover Park High School Lakewood | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Four Heroes Elementary Lakewood | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| General William H. Harrison Preparatory School Lakewood | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Steilacoom High Steilacoom | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| ST FRANCES CABRINI SCHOOL Lakewood | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Thomas Middle School Lakewood | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98498 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,382
Median Home Value
$458,200
Median Rent
$1,604/mo
Population
28,940
College Educated
29.3%
Homeownership
61.4%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Custer Elementary School has a median household income of $88,382. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $458,200, with a median rent of $1,604/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham, WA | 7.8 |
| FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PUGET SOUND Mercer Island, WA | 7.8 |
| Geneva Elementary School Bellingham, WA | 7.8 |
| McGilvra Elementary School Seattle, WA | 7.8 |
| Mint Valley Elementary Longview, WA | 7.8 |
| Mullenix Ridge Elementary School Port Orchard, WA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Custer Elementary School
What grades does Custer Elementary School serve?
Custer Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Custer Elementary School?
Custer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 313 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer Elementary School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Custer Elementary School rank in WA?
Custer Elementary School is ranked #418 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Custer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Custer Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer Elementary School has 33.7% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Custer Elementary School a charter school?
No, Custer Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Custer Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Custer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer Elementary School?
79.9% of students at Custer 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 (Lakewood). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 313
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 583-5230
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clover Park School District- District Enrollment
- 12,395
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,263
- District Rank
- #5 of 25
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
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.