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Very Good

#660 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 30% in state

Foothills Elementary

Elementary School · White River School District

PO Box 2210, Buckley, WA 98321

Enrollment

499

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

7.3

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buckley

#3 of 6

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#533 of 1,202

In district

#3 of 7

White River School District

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Foothills Elementary

Foothills Elementary serves 499 students in grades 1-5 in Buckley, Washington, operating as a regular public school within Pierce County. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for elementary learners. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #442 out of 2,261 Washington elementary schools, placing it in the 80th percentile statewide.

Students show strong proficiency in core subjects, with 60% achieving proficient or above in ELA/reading and 61% in mathematics. These scores reflect the school's commitment to helping students build essential foundational skills across grade levels. Foothills Elementary is situated in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $122,399 and the median home value is $488,600.

The neighborhood's low poverty rate of just 2.6% contributes to a stable learning environment. While 27% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, families in this ZIP code of 16,936 residents clearly prioritize education and community investment. The school operates within Buckley's large suburban setting, offering students the benefits of a well-resourced community while maintaining the close-knit feel of a smaller town atmosphere.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.1%
Math vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,938

Foothills Elementary — Students at Foothills Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.4%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 56.7%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
61%
ELA
60%
2022
ELA
61%
2024
Math
52.7%
ELA
54.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Foothills Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
70th percentile in WA
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

PO Box 2210, Buckley, WA 98321

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Foothills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tehaleh Heights Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Bonney Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty Ridge Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Sumner), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bonney Lake Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Bonney Lake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buckley, see our Buckley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Liberty Ridge Elementary Sumner 2.0 mi 8.7
White River High School Buckley 2.2 mi 5.0
White River Reengagement Program Buckley 2.2 mi
Mountain View Middle School Bonney Lake 2.2 mi 5.2
Bonney Lake High School Bonney Lake 2.5 mi 5.6
White River Early Learning Center Buckley 2.6 mi 4.6
Mountain Meadow Elementary Buckley 2.7 mi 8.3
Victor Falls Elementary Bonney Lake 3.0 mi 7.3
Donald Eismann Elementary Bonney Lake 3.5 mi 7.6
Bonney Lake Elementary Bonney Lake 3.4 mi 8.5
Emerald Hills Elementary Bonney Lake 3.8 mi 5.7
Dieringer Heights Elementary Lake Tapps 4.7 mi 7.0
Lakeridge Middle School Bonney Lake 4.5 mi 6.0
Tehaleh Heights Elementary School Bonney Lake 4.4 mi 8.9
Westwood Elementary School Enumclaw 5.5 mi 7.4
White River Special Ed Services Buckley 4.2 mi
Glacier Middle School Buckley 4.4 mi 7.1
Wilkeson Elementary School Wilkeson 5.3 mi 6.9
Elk Ridge Elementary Buckley 4.7 mi 7.3
North Tapps Middle School Lake Tapps 6.5 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,081

Median Home Value

$524,300

Median Rent

$1,805/mo

Population

17,601

College Educated

23.6%

Homeownership

88.5%

Avg Commute

36.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Foothills Elementary has a median household income of $127,081. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $524,300, with a median rent of $1,805/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clear Creek Elementary School Silverdale, WA 7.3
Continuous Curriculum School Spokane, WA 7.3
Elk Ridge Elementary Buckley, WA 7.3
Frances Scott Elementary Spokane, WA 7.3
Fuerza Elementary Kennewick, WA 7.3
George T. Daniel Elementary School Kent, WA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Foothills Elementary

What grades does Foothills Elementary serve?

Foothills Elementary serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Foothills Elementary?

Foothills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Foothills Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Foothills 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 Foothills Elementary rank in WA?

Foothills Elementary is ranked #660 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Foothills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Foothills Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Foothills Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foothills Elementary has 54.4% math proficiency and 56.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Foothills Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Foothills Elementary a Title I school?

No, Foothills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foothills Elementary?

48.7% of students at Foothills 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,058/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buckley). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

White River School District
District Enrollment
4,500
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,365
District Rank
#3 of 7

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 methodology

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