Average
#894 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 40% in state
Based on limited data
Desert Sky Elementary
Elementary School · Richland School District
2100 Sunshine Avenue, West Richland, WA 99353
Enrollment
426
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
426
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Richland
#2 of 6
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#669 of 1,202
In district
#8 of 21
Richland School District
Equity
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Desert Sky Elementary
Desert Sky Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in West Richland, a rural area of Benton County, Washington. The school enrolls 426 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, supported by 25 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Desert Sky Elementary performs above average for Washington state schools, ranking in the 79th percentile statewide (#473 out of 2,261 schools) with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3/10.
The school shows particular strength in science, where 76% of students test proficient or above. Reading and math proficiency rates are comparable, with 63% of students proficient or above in English language arts and 62% in mathematics, indicating solid progress across core subjects with room for continued growth. The school's academic performance reflects a commitment to developing well-rounded learners across multiple disciplines.
With a moderate student-teacher ratio, teachers can provide reasonable individual attention to support student learning and development. Desert Sky Elementary's setting in rural West Richland offers a community-oriented environment for elementary learners.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Desert Sky Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Desert Sky Elementary — Students at Desert Sky Elementary score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
How Desert Sky Elementary Compares
See how Desert Sky Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2100 Sunshine Avenue, West Richland, WA 99353
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Sky Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marcus Whitman Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Richland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lewis & Clark Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Richland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orchard Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Richland), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in West Richland, see our West Richland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Leona Libby Middle School West Richland | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Special Programs West Richland | 0.5 mi | — |
| Enterprise Middle School West Richland | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| William Wiley Elementary School West Richland | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Tapteal Elementary School West Richland | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| White Bluffs Elementary School Richland | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Richland | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| SAGEBRUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richland | 3.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Marcus Whitman Elementary Richland | 3.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Pacific Crest Online Academy West Richland | 3.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Three Rivers Home Link Richland | 3.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Jason Lee Elementary School Richland | 3.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Carmichael Middle School Richland | 3.9 mi | 5.5 |
| SAGEBRUSH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Richland | 4.0 mi | — |
| Richland High School Richland | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Richland | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Chief Joseph Middle School Richland | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Rivers Edge High School Richland | 4.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Orchard Elementary Richland | 5.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School Richland | 4.6 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99353 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$120,396
Median Home Value
$407,600
Median Rent
$1,534/mo
Population
18,702
College Educated
39.5%
Homeownership
84.7%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Sky Elementary has a median household income of $120,396. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $407,600, with a median rent of $1,534/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedarhurst Elementary Burien, WA | 6.8 |
| Centennial Elementary Graham, WA | 6.8 |
| Chinook Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 6.8 |
| Columbia River Gorge Elementary School Washougal, WA | 6.8 |
| Covington Elementary School Covington, WA | 6.8 |
| Daybreak Primary Battle Ground, WA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Sky Elementary
What grades does Desert Sky Elementary serve?
Desert Sky Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Desert Sky Elementary?
Desert Sky Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 426 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Sky Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Sky Elementary is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Sky Elementary rank in WA?
Desert Sky Elementary is ranked #894 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Desert Sky Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Sky Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Desert Sky Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Sky Elementary has 62.5% math proficiency and 63.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Sky Elementary a charter school?
No, Desert Sky Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Sky Elementary a Title I school?
No, Desert Sky Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Sky Elementary?
18.1% of students at Desert Sky 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
- City Safety
- Average (687/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Richland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 426
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Benton County
- Phone
- (509) 967-6225
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland School District- District Enrollment
- 14,305
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,042
- District Rank
- #8 of 21
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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