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
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Foothills Elementary — Students at Foothills Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.7%
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: 7.6/10.
How Foothills Elementary Compares
See how Foothills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 52.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 55.1% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (360) 829-3355
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
White River School District- District Enrollment
- 4,500
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,365
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
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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