Average
#1618 of 2,228 schools in WA
Fords Prairie Elementary
Elementary School · Centralia School District
1620 Harrison Avenue, Centralia, WA 98531
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,618 of 2,228
In Centralia
#6 of 9
public schools
In district
#6 of 9
Centralia School District
School environment
7.1 / 10
Very Good
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Fords Prairie Elementary
Elementary School in Centralia · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Centralia Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Centralia School District Sped Pre-school
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Fords Prairie Elementary
Fords Prairie Elementary is a public elementary school in Centralia, WA, part of Centralia School District. Fords Prairie Elementary serves approximately 444 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Fords Prairie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,618 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Fords Prairie Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 5.4
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at Fords Prairie 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Fords Prairie Elementary — Students at Fords Prairie Elementary score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 34 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: 4.1/10.
How Fords Prairie Elementary Compares
See how Fords Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1620 Harrison Avenue, Centralia, WA 98531
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fords Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rochester Primary School (rated 6.6/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Rochester), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Chehalis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Centralia, see our Centralia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Centralia Middle School Centralia | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Centralia School District SpEd Pre-school Centralia | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Futurus High School Centralia | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Centralia High School Centralia | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Edison Elementary Centralia | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Oakview Elementary School Centralia | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Jefferson Lincoln Elementary Centralia | 2.3 mi | 3.9 |
| CENTRALIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Centralia | 2.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Washington Elementary School Centralia | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Lewis County Jail Chehalis | 5.2 mi | — |
| LEWIS COUNTY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Chehalis | 5.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Rochester Primary School Rochester | 4.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Chehalis | 5.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Grand Mound Elementary Rochester | 5.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Rochester High School Rochester | 5.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Green Hill Academic School Chehalis | 6.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Lewis County Alternative School Chehalis | 6.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Lewis County Juvenile Detention Chehalis | 6.1 mi | — |
| W F West High School Chehalis | 6.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Chehalis Middle School Chehalis | 6.7 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98531 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,963
Median Home Value
$285,700
Median Rent
$1,068/mo
Population
27,356
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
64.9%
Avg Commute
26.5 min
Poverty Rate
17%
Median Age
38.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Armin Jahr Elementary Bremerton, WA | 5.2 |
| Beverly Park Elem at Glendale Seattle, WA | 5.2 |
| Brigadoon Elementary School Federal Way, WA | 5.2 |
| Edward Zeiger Elem Puyallup, WA | 5.2 |
| George T. Daniel Elementary School Kent, WA | 5.2 |
| Highland Elementary Clarkston, WA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fords Prairie Elementary
What grades does Fords Prairie Elementary serve?
Fords Prairie Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Fords Prairie Elementary?
Fords Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 444 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fords Prairie Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Fords Prairie Elementary is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fords Prairie Elementary rank in WA?
Fords Prairie Elementary ranks #1,618 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Fords Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Fords Prairie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Fords Prairie Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Fords Prairie Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Fords Prairie Elementary a charter school?
No, Fords Prairie Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fords Prairie Elementary a Title I school?
No, Fords Prairie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fords Prairie Elementary?
76.4% of students at Fords Prairie 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 444
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lewis County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.6%
- Phone
- (360) 330-7633
Resources & Links
District
Centralia School District- District Enrollment
- 3,374
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,631
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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