Below Average
#1944 of 2,225 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
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Centralia
#8 of 9
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#1,122 of 1,202
In district
#8 of 9
Centralia School District
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Fords Prairie Elementary
Fords Prairie Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Centralia, Washington, nestled in Lewis County. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 444 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the school ensures that each child receives personalized attention.
Fords Prairie Elementary has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment. The school's academic performance is rated at 4.0 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 28th percentile among Washington state schools. In terms of proficiency, 34% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 35% are proficient or above in Math.
Science scores show slightly better results with 41% of students at the proficient level or higher. While Fords Prairie Elementary may be focusing on areas for academic growth, it is an integral part of the Centralia community, offering a nurturing and inclusive environment for young learners. The school's setting in a town provides a close-knit atmosphere where families are often involved in supporting their children’s education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 15 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: 2.4/10.
How Fords Prairie Elementary Compares
See how Fords Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 31.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 32.5% (2024).
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. Washington Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rochester Primary School (rated 7.5/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Rochester), 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 | 5.3 |
| Centralia School District SpEd Pre-school Centralia | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Futurus High School Centralia | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Centralia High School Centralia | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Edison Elementary Centralia | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
| Lewis County Jail Chehalis | 5.2 mi | — |
| LEWIS COUNTY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Chehalis | 5.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Rochester Primary School Rochester | 4.9 mi | 7.5 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Chehalis | 5.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Grand Mound Elementary Rochester | 5.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Rochester High School Rochester | 5.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Green Hill Academic School Chehalis | 6.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Lewis County Alternative School Chehalis | 6.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Lewis County Juvenile Detention Chehalis | 6.1 mi | — |
| W F West High School Chehalis | 6.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Chehalis Middle School Chehalis | 6.7 mi | 4.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fords Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $61,963. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $285,700, with a median rent of $1,068/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cascadia Elementary Ferndale, WA | 4.5 |
| Darrington Elementary School Darrington, WA | 4.5 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway, WA | 4.5 |
| Garfield Elementary School Toppenish, WA | 4.5 |
| Hazel Valley Elementary Burien, WA | 4.5 |
| Heights Elementary Clarkston, WA | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #1944 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Fords Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Fords Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Fords Prairie Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fords Prairie Elementary has 35.4% math proficiency and 34.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,023/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Centralia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 330-7633
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Centralia School District- District Enrollment
- 3,374
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,631
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
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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