Skip to main content

Average

#1499 of 2,228 schools in WA

Gess Elementary

Elementary School · Chewelah School District

P.O. Box 7, Chewelah, WA 99109

Enrollment

354

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,499 of 2,228

In Chewelah

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Chewelah School District

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Gess Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Gess Elementary

5.5/10

Elementary School in Chewelah · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jenkins Junior/senior High

4.6/10

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

Chewelah Open Doors Reengagement Program

6.3/10

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

About Gess Elementary

Gess Elementary is a public elementary school in Chewelah, WA, part of Chewelah School District. Gess Elementary serves approximately 354 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Gess Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,499 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Gess Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts below WA schools
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Gess Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

36% of students at Gess 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 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.2% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-14.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.2 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,379
Chronic Absenteeism35.9%

Gess Elementary — Students at Gess Elementary score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
44.3% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 55.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.6% (2024 SBA)

Based on 36 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
47%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
28.9%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
37%
ELA
40.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Gess Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
33th percentile in WA
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

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

P.O. Box 7, Chewelah, WA 99109

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gess Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fort Colville Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Colville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Loon Lake Homelink Program (rated 6.9/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Loon Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, COLVILLE VALLEY JUNIOR ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Colville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chewelah, see our Chewelah schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Jenkins Junior/Senior High Chewelah 0.2 mi 4.6
Chewelah Open Doors Reengagement Program Chewelah 0.2 mi 6.3
Quartzite Learning Chewelah 0.2 mi 5.6
Columbia Virtual Academy Valley 7.7 mi 5.0
Valley Early Learning Center Valley 7.7 mi 5.0
Valley School Valley 7.8 mi 4.9
Paideia High School Valley 7.9 mi
Mary Walker High School Springdale 15.4 mi 4.7
Springdale Elementary Springdale 15.4 mi 3.4
Springdale Middle School Springdale 15.4 mi 3.8
Mary Walker Alternative Learning Experience Springdale 15.4 mi 4.3
Loon Lake Elementary School Loon Lake 15.4 mi 4.6
Loon Lake Homelink Program Loon Lake 15.5 mi 6.9
JOHNSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Colville 14.1 mi 4.9
Summit Valley School Addy 12.3 mi 4.9
Fort Colville Elementary Colville 19.3 mi 7.1
Colville Senior High School Colville 19.7 mi 5.1
COLVILLE VALLEY JUNIOR ACADEMY Colville 19.3 mi 5.8
Colville Junior High School Colville 19.5 mi 7.7
Panorama School Colville 19.9 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,354

Median Home Value

$274,900

Median Rent

$890/mo

Population

5,075

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

80.4%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

54.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Franklin Elementary School Tacoma, WA 5.5
Gold Bar Elementary Gold Bar, WA 5.5
Harmony Elementary Bellingham, WA 5.5
Madison Elementary Spokane, WA 5.5
Monte Cristo Elementary Granite Falls, WA 5.5
Monument Elementary Quincy, WA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gess Elementary

What grades does Gess Elementary serve?

Gess Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Gess Elementary?

Gess Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 354 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gess Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Gess Elementary is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gess Elementary rank in WA?

Gess Elementary ranks #1,499 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Gess Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Gess Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Gess Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gess Elementary has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Gess Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Gess Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

63.8% of students at Gess 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

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Stevens County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

District

Chewelah School District
District Enrollment
838
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,379
District Rank
#3 of 4

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.