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Below Average

#1894 of 2,228 schools in WA

Garfield Elementary School

Elementary School · Olympia School District

325 PLYMOUTH ST NW, Olympia, WA 98502

Enrollment

338

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,894 of 2,228

In Olympia

#24 of 24

public schools

In district

#19 of 19

Olympia School District

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Garfield Elementary School

4.6/10

Elementary School in Olympia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jefferson Middle School

7.7/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Capital High School

6.8/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Garfield Elementary School

Garfield Elementary School is a public elementary school in Olympia, WA, part of Olympia School District. Garfield Elementary School serves approximately 338 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Garfield Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,894 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Garfield Elementary School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Garfield Elementary School 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 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,220
Chronic Absenteeism30.8%

Garfield Elementary School — Students at Garfield Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 62.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
44.7%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
33.7%
ELA
39.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.

How Garfield Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
15th percentile in WA
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

325 PLYMOUTH ST NW, Olympia, WA 98502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garfield Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pioneer Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Michael T Simmons Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Tumwater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Olympia, see our Olympia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Middle School Olympia 0.5 mi 7.7
Capital High School Olympia 0.7 mi 6.8
EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Olympia 1.0 mi 5.8
OLYMPIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Olympia 1.0 mi 6.7
Leland P Brown Elementary Olympia 1.6 mi 6.0
Lincoln Elementary School Olympia 1.6 mi 5.8
Tumwater Hill Elementary Tumwater 2.2 mi 5.2
Avanti High School Olympia 1.6 mi 7.2
Reeves Middle School Olympia 1.8 mi 6.6
Thurgood Marshall Middle School Olympia 1.7 mi 6.5
Madison Elementary School Olympia 1.6 mi 5.4
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Olympia 1.7 mi 6.5
Roosevelt Elementary School Olympia 1.7 mi 7.3
Touchstone Olympia 1.8 mi
Julia Butler Hansen Elementary Olympia 1.9 mi 6.2
Thurs Co Juv Det/Tumwater West E Tumwater 2.4 mi
Michael T Simmons Elementary Tumwater 3.0 mi 7.6
Olympia High School Olympia 2.7 mi 6.1
Pioneer Elementary School Olympia 2.8 mi 8.2
NOVA SCHOOL Olympia 2.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,154

Median Home Value

$496,500

Median Rent

$1,569/mo

Population

35,043

College Educated

51.7%

Homeownership

56.6%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

38.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beverly Elementary Lynnwood, WA 4.6
Burton Elementary School Vancouver, WA 4.6
Frances Scott Elementary Spokane, WA 4.6
Gause Elementary Washougal, WA 4.6
Gildo Rey Elementary School Auburn, WA 4.6
Happy Valley Elementary School Bellingham, WA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garfield Elementary School

What grades does Garfield Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Garfield Elementary School?

Garfield Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 338 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garfield Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Garfield Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garfield Elementary School rank in WA?

Garfield Elementary School ranks #1,894 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Garfield Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Garfield Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Garfield Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Garfield Elementary School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Garfield Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Garfield Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

61.8% of students at Garfield Elementary School 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

Walk Score
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Thurston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.8%

District

Olympia School District
District Enrollment
9,556
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,220
District Rank
#19 of 19

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