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Average

#1407 of 2,228 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

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,407 of 2,228

In Lakewood

#9 of 18

public schools

In district

#16 of 25

Clover Park School District

School environment

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Dower Elementary School

5.7/10

Elementary School in Lakewood · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lochburn Middle School

4.9/10

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

Hudtloff Middle School

2.9/10

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

About Dower Elementary School

Dower Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakewood, WA, part of Clover Park School District. Dower Elementary School serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Dower Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,407 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Dower Elementary School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Dower Elementary School 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 Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.9% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,263
Chronic Absenteeism48%

Dower Elementary School — Students at Dower Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 46.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
31.8%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
29.6%
ELA
28.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.

How Dower Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
37th percentile in WA
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

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

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. Evergreen Primary (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby University Place), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST FRANCES CABRINI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Custer Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 4.9
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood 0.8 mi 2.9
Custer Elementary School Lakewood 0.9 mi 6.0
Four Heroes Elementary Lakewood 1.1 mi 6.0
Park Lodge Elementary School Lakewood 1.4 mi 4.9
General William H. Harrison Preparatory School Lakewood 1.1 mi 7.4
Mount Tahoma High School Tacoma 1.0 mi 4.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place 1.5 mi 6.0
Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood 1.2 mi 5.9
CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY Tacoma 1.5 mi 7.7
Clover Park High School Lakewood 2.0 mi 4.9
ST FRANCES CABRINI SCHOOL Lakewood 1.9 mi 7.3
Manitou Park Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 4.8
Oakridge Group Home Lakewood 1.5 mi
Drum Intermediate University Pla 2.0 mi 8.2
CPSD Open Doors Program Lakewood 2.2 mi 6.3
Lakeview Hope Academy Lakewood 2.0 mi 5.2
Gray Middle School Tacoma 1.8 mi 4.7
Evergreen Primary University Place 2.3 mi 7.5
Idlewild Elementary School Lakewood 2.1 mi 5.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL SPOKANE Spokane, WA 5.7
BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN MACK ELEMENTARY Woodinville, WA 5.7
Bryant Montessori School Tacoma, WA 5.7
Cascade View Elementary Snohomish, WA 5.7
Chattaroy Elementary Chattaroy, WA 5.7
Columbia Heights Elementary Longview, WA 5.7

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 ranks #1,407 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Dower Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dower Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Dower Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dower Elementary School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

District

Clover Park School District
District Enrollment
12,395
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,263
District Rank
#16 of 25

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