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Average

#821 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 37% in state

Garfield Elementary

Elementary School · Garfield School District

POB 398, Garfield, WA 99130

Enrollment

51

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Washington elementary schools

#631 of 1,202

In district

#2 of 2

Garfield School District

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Garfield Elementary

Garfield Elementary serves 51 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small rural community of Garfield, Washington. This intimate public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 10.2 to 1 with five full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. The school's academic performance is truly outstanding, earning a 9.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #1 among all 2,261 elementary schools in Washington state.

Students demonstrate remarkable achievement in English Language Arts and reading, with 90% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. The school's academic score of 9.9 out of 10 reflects this exceptional educational environment where students consistently exceed state standards. Garfield Elementary sits in Whitman County's farming region, where the median household income is $75,000 and median home values are $187,900.

The surrounding ZIP code has a population of 833 residents, with 29% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 16.9%. This small school operates in a remote rural setting, serving a tight-knit agricultural community where families value educational excellence and teachers can focus on each child's individual academic growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 51 students, Garfield Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Garfield Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+3.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.4 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+31.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,083

Garfield Elementary — Students at Garfield Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 59.3%
School
State
40.1%
ELA Proficiency 78.8%
School
State
50.6%

Based on 5 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
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
ELA
90%
2024
Math
44%
ELA
72%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.

How Garfield Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in WA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

POB 398, Garfield, WA 99130

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garfield Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kamiak Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Pullman), which scores notably higher. Another option is Steptoe Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Steptoe), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Leonard M Jennings Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Colfax), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Garfield, see our Garfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Garfield Middle School Garfield 0.0 mi
Garfield at Palouse High School Palouse 7.7 mi 7.2
Palouse High School Palouse 7.7 mi 7.8
Palouse Elementary Palouse 7.7 mi 6.8
Palouse at Garfield Middle School Palouse 7.7 mi 5.3
Oakesdale Elementary School Oakesdale 9.2 mi 5.2
Oakesdale High School Oakesdale 9.2 mi 6.0
WILD ROSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Viola 11.4 mi 5.3
Steptoe Elementary School Steptoe 10.0 mi 8.3
Tekoa Elementary School Tekoa 14.9 mi 4.1
Tekoa High School Tekoa 14.9 mi 6.8
Leonard M Jennings Elementary Colfax 13.3 mi 6.9
POTLATCH JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Potlatch 12.6 mi 5.8
Colfax High School Colfax 13.4 mi 7.2
Coeur d' Alene Tribal School Desmet 14.1 mi 3.7
POTLATCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Potlatch 13.2 mi 6.5
Pullman High School Pullman 18.5 mi 8.3
Kamiak Elementary Pullman 18.5 mi 9.5
Jefferson Elementary Pullman 19.0 mi 5.6
Pullman Community Montessori Pullman 19.6 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99130 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,750

Median Home Value

$210,700

Median Rent

$989/mo

Population

847

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Garfield Elementary has a median household income of $63,750. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,700, with a median rent of $989/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Seattle, WA 6.9
West Valley Virtual Learning Center Spokane, WA 6.9
UCIC SCHOOL Bothell, WA 7.0
MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY Federal Way, WA 6.8
ARBOR SCHOOLS Sammamish, WA 7.1
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham, WA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garfield Elementary

What grades does Garfield Elementary serve?

Garfield Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Garfield Elementary?

Garfield Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 51 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garfield Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Garfield Elementary is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garfield Elementary rank in WA?

Garfield Elementary is ranked #821 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Garfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Garfield Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Garfield Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garfield Elementary has 59.3% math proficiency and 78.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Garfield Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Garfield Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

80.4% of students at Garfield 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

County Safety
Low (85/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Whitman County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Garfield School District
District Enrollment
120
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$29,876
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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