Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.9Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.2%
Math vs. State Avg-6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.8 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,745

Kalama Elem School — Students at Kalama Elem School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.2%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 49.9%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
51%
ELA
50%
2022
ELA
38%
2024
Math
45%
ELA
52.9%

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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in WA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,376/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalama). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kalama School District
District Enrollment
1,151
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,374
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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.