Very Good
#687 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 31% in state
Kalama Elem School
Elementary School · Kalama School District
548 China Garden Road, Kalama, WA 98625
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalama
#1 of 3
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#547 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 3
Kalama School District
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Kalama Elem School
Kalama Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Kalama, Washington. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 549 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Kalama Elem School is solid, with 50% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 46% proficient or above in Math, and an impressive 70% proficiency rate in Science.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranking at the 63rd percentile among Washington state schools, Kalama Elem School focuses on student development with room for academic growth. The school is situated near the town of Kalama, offering students a close-knit community environment where they can thrive socially and academically.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Kalama Elem School 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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Kalama Elem School — Students at Kalama Elem School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.
How Kalama Elem School Compares
See how Kalama Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 45.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 53.2% (2024).
Location
548 China Garden Road, Kalama, WA 98625
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kalama Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Fork Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wallace Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Kelso), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Columbia Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kalama, see our Kalama schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kalama Middle School Kalama | 0.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Kalama High School Kalama | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Carrolls Elementary Carrolls | 4.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Woodland High School Woodland | 6.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Columbia City School Columbia City | 8.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Columbia Elementary School Woodland | 8.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Lewis River Academy Woodland | 8.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Woodland Alternative School Woodland | 8.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Woodland Middle School Woodland | 8.4 mi | 6.2 |
| North Fork Elementary School Woodland | 7.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Plymouth High School St. Helens | 9.9 mi | 5.7 |
| St. Helens Virtual Academy St. Helens | 9.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Coweeman Middle School Kelso | 9.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Kelso High School Kelso | 9.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Wallace Elementary Kelso | 9.4 mi | 8.2 |
| St Helens Middle School St. Helens | 10.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Loowit High School Kelso | 9.8 mi | — |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School St. Helens | 10.2 mi | 5.4 |
| St Helens Arthur Academy St. Helens | 10.0 mi | 6.5 |
| McBride Elementary School St. Helens | 10.5 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98625 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$118,536
Median Home Value
$442,000
Population
7,020
College Educated
27.4%
Homeownership
78.8%
Avg Commute
29.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
50.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kalama Elem School has a median household income of $118,536. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $442,000. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Alexander Graham Bell Elementary Kirkland, WA | 7.2 |
| Amon Creek Elementary Richland, WA | 7.2 |
| Audubon Elementary Spokane, WA | 7.2 |
| Barbara McClintock STEM Elementary Pasco, WA | 7.2 |
| Briarcrest Elementary Shoreline, WA | 7.2 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma, WA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kalama Elem School
What grades does Kalama Elem School serve?
Kalama Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Kalama Elem School?
Kalama Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 549 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kalama Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kalama Elem School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kalama Elem School rank in WA?
Kalama Elem School is ranked #687 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Kalama Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kalama Elem School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Kalama Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kalama Elem School has 46.2% math proficiency and 49.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kalama Elem School a charter school?
No, Kalama Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kalama Elem School a Title I school?
No, Kalama Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kalama Elem School?
40.4% of students at Kalama Elem 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 549
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cowlitz County
- Phone
- (360) 673-5207
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kalama School District- District Enrollment
- 1,151
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,374
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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