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Average

#841 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 38% in state

Nelson Elementary School

Elementary School · Bethel School District

22109 108th Ave E, Graham, WA 98338

Enrollment

739

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#841 of 2,228

In Graham

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#15 of 33

Bethel School District

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Nelson Elementary School

6.9/10

Elementary School in Graham · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Graham Kapowsin High School

3.9/10

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

Frontier Middle School

5.5/10

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

About Nelson Elementary School

Nelson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Graham, WA, part of Bethel School District. Nelson Elementary School serves approximately 739 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Nelson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #841 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Nelson Elementary School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 7.3
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Nelson 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 Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.1% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,370
Chronic Absenteeism34.4%

Nelson Elementary School — Students at Nelson Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 63.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
60%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
60%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
61%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
48.3%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
58.5%
ELA
55%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How Nelson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in WA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

22109 108th Ave E, Graham, WA 98338

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nelson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pioneer Valley Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Star Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rocky Ridge Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Graham, see our Graham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Graham Kapowsin High School Graham 0.1 mi 3.9
Frontier Middle School Graham 0.1 mi 5.5
Graham Elementary Graham 1.2 mi 7.6
Kapowsin Elementary Graham 2.8 mi 6.8
Emerald Ridge High School Puyallup 2.6 mi 6.3
North Star Elementary Graham 2.0 mi 8.4
Glacier View Junior High Puyallup 2.6 mi 4.5
Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup 2.7 mi 5.9
Liberty Middle School Spanaway 2.3 mi 5.6
Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway 2.3 mi 2.5
Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway 2.3 mi 8.5
Frank Brouillet Elem Puyallup 3.2 mi 7.7
Doris Stahl Junior High Puyallup 3.3 mi 5.9
G W Edgerton Elementary Puyallup 3.7 mi 6.5
Frederickson Elementary Puyallup 3.7 mi 5.4
Pope Elementary Puyallup 4.4 mi 7.3
Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham 3.7 mi 8.0
Centennial Elementary Graham 3.6 mi 7.3
Firgrove Elementary Puyallup 5.2 mi 4.9
Warren Hunt Elem Puyallup 5.1 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont, WA 6.9
Cottonwood Elementary Kennewick, WA 6.9
Crystal Springs Elementary Bothell, WA 6.9
Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway, WA 6.9
Glacier Park Elementary Maple Valley, WA 6.9
Highland Elementary Lake Stevens, WA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nelson Elementary School

What grades does Nelson Elementary School serve?

Nelson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Nelson Elementary School?

Nelson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 739 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Elementary School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nelson Elementary School rank in WA?

Nelson Elementary School ranks #841 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Nelson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nelson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Nelson Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nelson Elementary School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Nelson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Nelson Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

48.7% of students at Nelson 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
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
739
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

District

Bethel School District
District Enrollment
21,539
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,370
District Rank
#15 of 33

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