Below Average
#1816 of 2,225 schools in WA
Dower Elementary School
Elementary School · Clover Park School District
7817 Dower Rd West, Lakewood, WA 98499
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakewood
#11 of 18
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#1,077 of 1,202
In district
#17 of 25
Clover Park School District
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Dower Elementary School
Dower Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Lakewood, Washington. Serving preschool through fifth grade students, Dower Elementary has an enrollment of 306 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a small city setting within Pierce County.
Academically, Dower Elementary School has room for improvement according to the MySchoolScout rating system, currently standing at 4.3 out of 10 and ranked 1545th out of 2261 schools in Washington state. The school's academic score is 3.1 out of 10, with proficiency rates of 34% for ELA/Reading and 33% for Math across all grades, while Science scores are slightly higher at 50%. Despite these challenges, the school community remains committed to student development.
Dower Elementary School is nestled in a small city environment where it plays an important role in supporting local families and their children's educational needs.
Score Breakdown
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Dower Elementary School — Students at Dower Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
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: 3.0/10.
How Dower Elementary School Compares
See how Dower Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 29.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 28.9% (2024).
Location
7817 Dower Rd West, Lakewood, WA 98499
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dower Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Four Heroes Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Custer Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST FRANCES CABRINI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lakewood, see our Lakewood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lochburn Middle School Lakewood | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood | 0.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Custer Elementary School Lakewood | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Four Heroes Elementary Lakewood | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Park Lodge Elementary School Lakewood | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| General William H. Harrison Preparatory School Lakewood | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Mount Tahoma High School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Clover Park High School Lakewood | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| ST FRANCES CABRINI SCHOOL Lakewood | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Manitou Park Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Oakridge Group Home Lakewood | 1.5 mi | — |
| Drum Intermediate University Pla | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| CPSD Open Doors Program Lakewood | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Lakeview Hope Academy Lakewood | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Gray Middle School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Evergreen Primary University Place | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Idlewild Elementary School Lakewood | 2.1 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98499 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,000
Median Home Value
$370,000
Median Rent
$1,445/mo
Population
33,694
College Educated
19.4%
Homeownership
35.1%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Median Age
33.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dower Elementary School has a median household income of $65,000. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,000, with a median rent of $1,445/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| ASSUMPTION PARISH SCHOOL Spokane, WA | 4.9 |
| Bryn Mawr Elementary School Seattle, WA | 4.9 |
| Clear Lake Elementary School Clear Lake, WA | 4.9 |
| Marshall Elementary Marysville, WA | 4.9 |
| Ocosta Elementary School Westport, WA | 4.9 |
| Orca K-8 School Seattle, WA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dower Elementary School
What grades does Dower Elementary School serve?
Dower Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dower Elementary School?
Dower Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dower Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dower Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dower Elementary School rank in WA?
Dower Elementary School is ranked #1816 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Dower Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dower Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Dower Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dower Elementary School has 33.0% math proficiency and 34.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dower Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dower Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dower Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dower Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dower Elementary School?
78.8% of students at Dower 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
- City Safety
- High (4,289/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lakewood). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 306
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 583-5240
- 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
- #17 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
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