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Average

#1347 of 2,228 schools in WA

Emma L Carson Elementary

Elementary School · Puyallup School District

8615 184th St E, Puyallup, WA 98375

Enrollment

689

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,347 of 2,228

In Puyallup

#17 of 33

public schools

In district

#20 of 36

Puyallup School District

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Emma L Carson Elementary

5.9/10

Elementary School in Puyallup · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Frank Brouillet Elem

7.7/10

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

Doris Stahl Junior High

5.9/10

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

About Emma L Carson Elementary

Emma L Carson Elementary is a public elementary school in Puyallup, WA, part of Puyallup School District. Emma L Carson Elementary serves approximately 689 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Emma L Carson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,347 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Emma L Carson Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Emma L Carson Elementary 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 Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.2% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.2% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-2.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.2 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,882
Chronic Absenteeism38.8%

Emma L Carson Elementary — Students at Emma L Carson Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
44.3% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.6% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 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
57%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
49.8%
ELA
47.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.

How Emma L Carson Elementary Compares

See how Emma L Carson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in WA
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.8%

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

8615 184th St E, Puyallup, WA 98375

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emma L Carson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pioneer Valley Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Star Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Graham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Frank Brouillet Elem (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Puyallup, see our Puyallup schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Frank Brouillet Elem Puyallup 0.8 mi 7.7
Doris Stahl Junior High Puyallup 1.0 mi 5.9
Frederickson Elementary Puyallup 1.1 mi 5.4
Graham Elementary Graham 1.5 mi 7.6
Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway 1.6 mi 8.5
Liberty Middle School Spanaway 1.7 mi 5.6
Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway 1.7 mi 2.5
North Star Elementary Graham 2.6 mi 8.4
Dessie F Evans Elementary Puyallup 2.7 mi 4.5
Graham Kapowsin High School Graham 2.6 mi 3.9
Frontier Middle School Graham 2.7 mi 5.5
Nelson Elementary School Graham 2.7 mi 6.9
Firgrove Elementary Puyallup 2.9 mi 4.9
Ballou Jr High Puyallup 3.0 mi 5.0
Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup 2.5 mi
Gov John Rogers High School Puyallup 3.3 mi 5.6
Edward Zeiger Elem Puyallup 3.3 mi 5.2
Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup 2.5 mi 4.9
Emerald Ridge High School Puyallup 2.3 mi 6.3
Pope Elementary Puyallup 2.8 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98375 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,972

Median Home Value

$471,900

Median Rent

$2,140/mo

Population

32,195

College Educated

29.7%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

36.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

32.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Connell Elem Connell, WA 5.9
Conway School District 317 Mount Vernon, WA 5.9
Eatonville Elementary School Eatonville, WA 5.9
Lake Stickney Elementary School Lynnwood, WA 5.9
Lydia Hawk Elementary Lacey, WA 5.9
Naches Valley Elementary School Naches, WA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emma L Carson Elementary

What grades does Emma L Carson Elementary serve?

Emma L Carson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Emma L Carson Elementary?

Emma L Carson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 689 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emma L Carson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Emma L Carson Elementary is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emma L Carson Elementary rank in WA?

Emma L Carson Elementary ranks #1,347 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Emma L Carson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Emma L Carson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Emma L Carson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Emma L Carson Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Emma L Carson Elementary a charter school?

No, Emma L Carson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Emma L Carson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Emma L Carson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emma L Carson Elementary?

53.3% of students at Emma L Carson 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.8%

District

Puyallup School District
District Enrollment
22,905
Schools in District
37
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,882
District Rank
#20 of 36

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