Average
#1564 of 2,225 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
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chewelah
#2 of 4
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#973 of 1,202
In district
#2 of 4
Chewelah School District
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Gess Elementary
Gess Elementary in Chewelah, Washington, is a charming rural school serving kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 354 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, Gess Elementary provides a personalized learning environment where teachers can give individual attention to each student. The school has 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.
Gess Elementary's academic performance shows room for improvement, with state rankings placing it at #1421 out of 2261 schools in Washington. On MySchoolScout’s rating scale, the school scores a 4.6/10 overall and 4.9/10 academically. Test results reveal that 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 39% in Math, and 46% in Science.
While these numbers indicate areas for growth, Gess Elementary is committed to enhancing its educational programs to support student development. Gess Elementary stands in a remote rural area, offering students the unique opportunity to learn within a close-knit community that values education and supports each child's journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Gess 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
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Data not available for this school
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Gess Elementary — Students at Gess Elementary score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.8%
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: 4.0/10.
How Gess Elementary Compares
See how Gess Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 40.2% (2024).
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. Summit Valley School (rated 6.6/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Addy), which scores notably higher. Another option is Loon Lake Homelink Program (rated 6.2/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Loon Lake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Loon Lake Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Loon Lake), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 5.2 |
| Chewelah Open Doors Reengagement Program Chewelah | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Quartzite Learning Chewelah | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Columbia Virtual Academy Valley | 7.7 mi | 1.5 |
| Valley Early Learning Center Valley | 7.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Valley School Valley | 7.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Paideia High School Valley | 7.9 mi | — |
| Mary Walker High School Springdale | 15.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Springdale Elementary Springdale | 15.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Springdale Middle School Springdale | 15.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Mary Walker Alternative Learning Experience Springdale | 15.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Loon Lake Elementary School Loon Lake | 15.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Loon Lake Homelink Program Loon Lake | 15.5 mi | 6.2 |
| JOHNSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Colville | 14.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Summit Valley School Addy | 12.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Fort Colville Elementary Colville | 19.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Colville Senior High School Colville | 19.7 mi | 5.8 |
| COLVILLE VALLEY JUNIOR ACADEMY Colville | 19.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Colville Junior High School Colville | 19.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Panorama School Colville | 19.9 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gess Elementary has a median household income of $61,354. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,900, with a median rent of $890/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Ardmore Elementary School Bellevue, WA | 5.4 |
| East Farms STEAM School Newman Lake, WA | 5.4 |
| Eastgate Elementary School Kennewick, WA | 5.4 |
| Elger Bay Elementary Camano Island, WA | 5.4 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma, WA | 5.4 |
| Forks Elementary School Forks, WA | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #1564 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Gess Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gess Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Gess Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gess Elementary has 38.7% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (649/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (509) 685-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chewelah School District- District Enrollment
- 838
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,379
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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
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