Very Good
#665 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 30% in state
Nelson Elementary School
Elementary School · Bethel School District
22109 108th Ave E, Graham, WA 98338
Enrollment
739
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
739
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Graham
#3 of 9
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#535 of 1,202
In district
#8 of 33
Bethel School District
Academic performance
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Nelson Elementary School
Nelson Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in Graham, Washington, a large suburban community in Pierce County. The school enrolls 739 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 across its 41 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Nelson performs solidly among Washington state schools, ranking in the 79th percentile statewide.
The school's overall academic score is 7.9 out of 10. In mathematics, 60% of students score proficient or above, while 56% meet proficiency benchmarks in English language arts. Science proficiency stands at 51% across grade levels.
These results reflect a school where many students are mastering grade-level standards, though there remains room for growth in some subject areas. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 reflects its solid academic performance within the context of Washington state schools. Nelson's positioning in the upper half of the state's rankings indicates it's a competitive elementary option for families in the Graham area.
Located in a large suburban setting, the school serves a diverse student population with access to suburban community resources.
Score Breakdown
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Nelson Elementary School — Students at Nelson Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.7%
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: 7.3/10.
How Nelson Elementary School Compares
See how Nelson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 58.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 55.1% (2024).
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 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Star Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Frank Brouillet Elem (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Puyallup), which scores slightly 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 | 5.5 |
| Frontier Middle School Graham | 0.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Graham Elementary Graham | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Kapowsin Elementary Graham | 2.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Emerald Ridge High School Puyallup | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| North Star Elementary Graham | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Glacier View Junior High Puyallup | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Liberty Middle School Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 2.6 |
| Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Frank Brouillet Elem Puyallup | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Doris Stahl Junior High Puyallup | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| G W Edgerton Elementary Puyallup | 3.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Frederickson Elementary Puyallup | 3.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Pope Elementary Puyallup | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham | 3.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Centennial Elementary Graham | 3.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Firgrove Elementary Puyallup | 5.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Warren Hunt Elem Puyallup | 5.1 mi | 5.2 |
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 Nelson Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| Alexander Graham Bell Elementary Kirkland, WA | 7.2 |
| Amon Creek Elementary Richland, WA | 7.2 |
| Barbara McClintock STEM Elementary Pasco, WA | 7.2 |
| Briarcrest Elementary Shoreline, WA | 7.2 |
| Crescent Harbor Elem Oak Harbor, WA | 7.2 |
| Discovery Elementary Everett, WA | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #665 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Nelson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nelson Elementary 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 Nelson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nelson Elementary School has 59.8% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 800-6400
- 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
- #8 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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