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Below Average

#1891 of 2,225 schools in WA

Nespelem Elementary

Elementary School · Nespelem School District

PO BOX 291, Nespelem, WA 99155

Enrollment

126

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Washington elementary schools

#1,102 of 1,202

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Nespelem Elementary

Nespelem Elementary is a small rural school serving students from preschool through eighth grade in Nespelem, Washington. With an enrollment of just 126 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. Located in a remote area with limited neighborhood information available, Nespelem Elementary is nestled within Okanogan County’s vast landscape.

The academic performance at Nespelem Elementary indicates room for improvement, with state rankings placing it near the bottom of Washington's public schools and test scores showing only 7% proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 8% proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to supporting its students’ development through smaller class sizes and a close-knit community. Nespelem Elementary thrives within its rural setting, fostering connections between families and educators while focusing on student growth and well-being.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 126 students, Nespelem Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Nespelem 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,896

Nespelem Elementary — Students at Nespelem Elementary score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 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
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
ELA
2.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Nespelem Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in WA
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO BOX 291, Nespelem, WA 99155

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nespelem Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Almira Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 31.7 miles away, in nearby Almira), which scores notably higher. Another option is Republic Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 35.0 miles away, in nearby Republic), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Keller Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Keller), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Nespelem, see our Nespelem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

15 within 35.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Lake Roosevelt Elementary Coulee Dam 13.4 mi 5.9
Lake Roosevelt Jr/Sr High School Coulee Dam 13.4 mi 5.1
Lake Roosevelt Alternative School Coulee Dam 15.7 mi
Keller Elementary School Keller 15.1 mi 7.2
Almira Elementary School Almira 31.7 mi 7.8
Wilbur Elementary School Wilbur 31.3 mi 5.0
Wilbur Secondary School Wilbur 31.3 mi 5.9
Paschal Sherman Indian School Omak 25.5 mi
Republic Elementary School Republic 35.0 mi 7.4
Republic Senior High School Republic 35.0 mi 6.3
Republic Parent Partner Republic 35.0 mi 6.3
Republic Junior High Republic 35.0 mi 3.9
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Republic 35.2 mi
Creston Elementary Creston 35.7 mi 5.4
Creston Jr-Sr High School Creston 35.7 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99155 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,000

Median Home Value

$136,500

Median Rent

$390/mo

Population

996

College Educated

9.1%

Homeownership

66.6%

Poverty Rate

30.6%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nespelem Elementary has a median household income of $44,000. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $136,500, with a median rent of $390/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Puyallup Parent Partnership Program Puyallup, WA 4.7
Harrington Elementary School Harrington, WA 4.8
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway, WA 4.9
CASCADIA SCHOOL Redmond, WA 4.9
Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma, WA 4.9
North Kitsap Options Kingston, WA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nespelem Elementary

What grades does Nespelem Elementary serve?

Nespelem Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Nespelem Elementary?

Nespelem Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nespelem Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Nespelem Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nespelem Elementary rank in WA?

Nespelem Elementary is ranked #1891 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Nespelem Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Nespelem Elementary has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Nespelem Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nespelem Elementary has 7.5% math proficiency and 7.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nespelem Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Nespelem Elementary a Title I school?

No, Nespelem Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

96.8% of students at Nespelem 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

County Safety
Elevated (722/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Okanogan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nespelem School District
District Enrollment
134
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,252
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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