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Needs Improvement

#2165 of 2,228 schools in WA

Mark Twain Elementary School

Elementary School · Federal Way School District

2450 S STAR LAKE RD, Federal Way, WA 98003

Enrollment

537

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,165 of 2,228

In Federal Way

#26 of 29

public schools

In district

#38 of 41

Federal Way School District

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Mark Twain Elementary School

3.3/10

Elementary School in Federal Way · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Holy Trinity Lutheran School

5.8/10

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

K-school

6.4/10

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

About Mark Twain Elementary School

Mark Twain Elementary School is a public elementary school in Federal Way, WA, part of Federal Way School District. Mark Twain Elementary School serves approximately 537 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Mark Twain Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,165 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Mark Twain Elementary School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.4
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Mark Twain Elementary School 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 Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.2% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.8% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-38.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.6 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,898
Chronic Absenteeism45.6%

Mark Twain Elementary School — Students at Mark Twain Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 40.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 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
61%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
13.6%
ELA
20%
2024
Math
13.3%
ELA
27.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.7/10.

How Mark Twain Elementary School Compares

See how Mark Twain Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
3th percentile in WA
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.6%

Location

2450 S STAR LAKE RD, Federal Way, WA 98003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mark Twain Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wildwood Elementary School (rated 5.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nautilus K-8 School (rated 5.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Federal Way, see our Federal Way schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 0.9 mi 5.8
K-SCHOOL Des Moines 0.9 mi 6.4
Woodmont K-8 School Des Moines 0.8 mi 4.2
Valhalla Elementary School Auburn 0.8 mi 4.8
Evergreen Middle School Kent 0.8 mi 4.1
Star Lake Elementary School Kent 0.9 mi 5.6
HOLY INNOCENTS SCHOOL OF THE NORTHWEST Federal Way 1.4 mi
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Auburn 1.0 mi
Thomas Jefferson High School Auburn 1.2 mi 4.8
Wildwood Elementary School Federal Way 1.7 mi 5.9
Parkside Elementary Des Moines 1.7 mi 3.5
Camelot Elementary School Auburn 1.7 mi 4.8
Nautilus K-8 School Federal Way 1.5 mi 5.9
Sacajawea Middle School Federal Way 1.8 mi 3.9
Sunnycrest Elementary School Kent 1.9 mi 4.4
Federal Way High School Federal Way 2.1 mi 3.5
Lake Dolloff Elementary School Auburn 2.2 mi 3.4
Des Moines Elementary Des Moines 2.3 mi 5.3
Kilo Middle School Auburn 2.3 mi 4.2
Internet Academy Federal Way 2.5 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,800

Median Home Value

$428,500

Median Rent

$1,650/mo

Population

52,210

College Educated

27.7%

Homeownership

47.6%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Hill Elementary School Kent, WA 3.3
Mirror Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.2
Sunset Elementary Airway Heights, WA 3.2
Lake Dolloff Elementary School Auburn, WA 3.4
Lakewood Elementary School N. Lakewood, WA 3.1
Panther Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mark Twain Elementary School

What grades does Mark Twain Elementary School serve?

Mark Twain Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mark Twain Elementary School?

Mark Twain Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 537 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mark Twain Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mark Twain Elementary School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mark Twain Elementary School rank in WA?

Mark Twain Elementary School ranks #2,165 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Mark Twain Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mark Twain Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Mark Twain Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mark Twain Elementary School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Mark Twain Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Mark Twain Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Mark Twain Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mark Twain Elementary School?

94.4% of students at Mark Twain Elementary 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
45 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.6%

District

Federal Way School District
District Enrollment
21,818
Schools in District
46
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,898
District Rank
#38 of 41

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