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
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Garfield Elementary — Students at Garfield Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 5 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: 4.4/10.
How Garfield Elementary Compares
See how Garfield Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 44% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 72% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (509) 635-1331
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garfield School District- District Enrollment
- 120
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $29,876
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.