Below Average
#1984 of 2,225 schools in WA
Kapowsin Elementary
Elementary School · Bethel School District
10412 264th St E, Graham, WA 98338
Enrollment
351
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
351
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Graham
#8 of 9
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#1,139 of 1,202
In district
#26 of 33
Bethel School District
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Kapowsin Elementary
Kapowsin Elementary is a regular public school located in Graham, Washington, in the rural outskirts of Pierce County. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 351 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, Kapowsin Elementary provides individualized attention to help each student thrive.
There are 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic needs of the children. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10 and it ranks 1418th in Washington State among 2261 schools, placing it at the 37th percentile academically. Students perform well across various subjects: 48% are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 53% in science, and 41% in math.
While there is room for improvement, Kapowsin Elementary focuses on student development and ensuring a strong educational foundation. Kapowsin Elementary’s setting offers a peaceful rural environment near the town of Graham, providing students with a unique blend of natural surroundings and community resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Kapowsin 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
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Kapowsin Elementary — Students at Kapowsin Elementary score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.
How Kapowsin Elementary Compares
See how Kapowsin Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 35.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 45.6% (2024).
Location
10412 264th St E, Graham, WA 98338
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kapowsin Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pioneer Valley Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Star Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Frank Brouillet Elem (rated 8.0/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Puyallup), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Graham, see our Graham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Frontier Middle School Graham | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Nelson Elementary School Graham | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Graham Kapowsin High School Graham | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| North Star Elementary Graham | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Graham Elementary Graham | 3.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Liberty Middle School Spanaway | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway | 4.1 mi | 2.6 |
| Centennial Elementary Graham | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway | 4.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup | 5.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Emerald Ridge High School Puyallup | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Glacier View Junior High Puyallup | 5.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Frank Brouillet Elem Puyallup | 5.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Doris Stahl Junior High Puyallup | 6.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Frederickson Elementary Puyallup | 6.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Bethel High School Spanaway | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| G W Edgerton Elementary Puyallup | 6.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Shining Mountain Elementary Spanaway | 5.1 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98338 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$112,788
Median Home Value
$471,800
Median Rent
$1,889/mo
Population
32,726
College Educated
18.9%
Homeownership
83.7%
Avg Commute
41.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kapowsin Elementary has a median household income of $112,788. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $471,800, with a median rent of $1,889/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 41 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Eatonville Elementary School Eatonville, WA | 4.4 |
| Harvard Elementary Tacoma, WA | 4.4 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Everett, WA | 4.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary Hoquiam, WA | 4.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Port Angeles, WA | 4.4 |
| Silver Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kapowsin Elementary
What grades does Kapowsin Elementary serve?
Kapowsin Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Kapowsin Elementary?
Kapowsin Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 351 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kapowsin Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Kapowsin Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kapowsin Elementary rank in WA?
Kapowsin Elementary is ranked #1984 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Kapowsin Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Kapowsin Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Kapowsin Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kapowsin Elementary has 40.7% math proficiency and 48.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kapowsin Elementary a charter school?
No, Kapowsin Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kapowsin Elementary a Title I school?
No, Kapowsin Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kapowsin Elementary?
44.4% of students at Kapowsin 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (763/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 351
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 800-8600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #26 of 33
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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