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Very Good

#468 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 21% in state

Minter Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Peninsula School District

12617 118th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98329

Enrollment

288

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gig Harbor

#5 of 14

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#405 of 1,202

In district

#6 of 17

Peninsula School District

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Minter Creek Elementary

Minter Creek Elementary serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Gig Harbor, Washington, a large suburban community in Pierce County. The school enrolls 288 students with an 18-member teaching staff, creating a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 that allows for personalized classroom attention. Academically, Minter Creek scores a 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's rating system and ranks in the 76th percentile statewide, placing it at #533 among Washington's 2,261 schools.

The school demonstrates solid performance in science, where 64% of students score proficient or above. Reading and math show room for growth, with 57% proficiency in ELA and 55% in math across grade levels. This academic profile reflects a school with particular strength in science while actively working to strengthen literacy and numeracy skills across the student body.

The elementary setting provides a foundation-building environment where young learners develop core competencies. With its mid-sized enrollment and suburban location, Minter Creek offers the community a neighborhood school focused on serving its local families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.9%
Math vs. State Avg+1.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,026

Minter Creek Elementary — Students at Minter Creek Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.9%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 57.2%
School
State
50.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
60%
ELA
64%
2022
ELA
52%
2024
Math
53.7%
ELA
56.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.

How Minter Creek Elementary Compares

See how Minter Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
79th percentile in WA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

12617 118th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98329

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Minter Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Purdy Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vaughn Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Vaughn), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Discovery Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gig Harbor, see our Gig Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
TRUE FAITH ACADEMY Gig Harbor 1.4 mi
Voyager Elementary Gig Harbor 4.4 mi 7.2
Kopachuck Middle School Gig Harbor 4.7 mi 7.0
Peninsula High School Gig Harbor 3.4 mi 5.1
Purdy Elementary School Gig Harbor 3.5 mi 9.0
Burley Glenwood Elementary Port Orchard 5.0 mi 6.3
BURLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Port Orchard 4.3 mi 5.9
MONTESSORI FARMHOUSE Port Orchard 4.7 mi
Vaughn Elementary School Vaughn 4.1 mi 8.6
Key Peninsula Middle School Lakebay 5.4 mi 4.8
Pioneer Elementary School Gig Harbor 4.8 mi 5.5
Swift Water Elementary Gig Harbor 4.5 mi 7.8
Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor 5.0 mi 6.8
Henderson Bay Alt High School Gig Harbor 5.0 mi 7.4
Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor 5.0 mi 8.2
Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor 5.2 mi 6.0
Artondale Elementary School Gig Harbor 6.3 mi 6.7
GIG HARBOR ACADEMY Gig Harbor 6.7 mi 6.5
ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gig Harbor 5.9 mi 6.7
HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gig Harbor 6.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98329 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,675

Median Home Value

$476,400

Median Rent

$1,666/mo

Population

11,379

College Educated

29.2%

Homeownership

88%

Avg Commute

37.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Minter Creek Elementary has a median household income of $107,675. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $476,400, with a median rent of $1,666/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 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
A J West Elementary Aberdeen, WA 7.7
Cascade View Elementary Snohomish, WA 7.7
Columbia Valley Garden Elem Schl Longview, WA 7.7
EPIPHANY SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.7
Emerson Elementary School Seattle, WA 7.7
Holmes Elementary Spokane, WA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Minter Creek Elementary

What grades does Minter Creek Elementary serve?

Minter Creek Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Minter Creek Elementary?

Minter Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 288 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Minter Creek Elementary?

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

How does Minter Creek Elementary rank in WA?

Minter Creek Elementary is ranked #468 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Minter Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Minter Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Minter Creek Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Minter Creek Elementary has 54.9% math proficiency and 57.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Minter Creek Elementary a charter school?

No, Minter Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Minter Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Minter Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Minter Creek Elementary?

47.2% of students at Minter Creek 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,183/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Peninsula School District
District Enrollment
9,069
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,219
District Rank
#6 of 17

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

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