Excellent
#282 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 13% in state
North Hill Elementary
Elementary School · Highline School District
19835 8th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98148
Enrollment
514
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
514
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#1 of 7
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#262 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 34
Highline School District
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About North Hill Elementary
North Hill Elementary is a public elementary school in Des Moines, WA, part of the Highline School District. The school serves approximately 514 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.4th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 58% in reading/language arts, 8 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $86,994, where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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North Hill Elementary — Students at North Hill Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.5%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.
How North Hill Elementary Compares
See how North Hill Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 70% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 56.1% (2024).
Location
19835 8th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98148
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Hill Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marvista Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Normandy Park), with a very similar rating. Another option is Gregory Heights Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Burien), with a very similar rating. Additionally, THREE TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Burien), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Maritime High School Des Moines | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Big Picture School Burien | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| CHOICE Academy Seattle | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Highline Home School Center Burien | 0.9 mi | — |
| Marvista Elementary Normandy Park | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Mount Rainier High School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Madrona Elementary Seatac | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Midway Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Sylvester Middle School Burien | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Pacific Middle School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.3 |
| THREE TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Burien | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Cascade Public Schools Des Moines | 2.2 mi | — |
| Des Moines Elementary Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy Burien | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Highline High School Burien | 2.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Gregory Heights Elementary Burien | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| River Ridge Elementary Seatac | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Bow Lake Elementary Seatac | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Chinook Middle School Seatac | 2.3 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98148 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,994
Median Home Value
$576,400
Median Rent
$1,837/mo
Population
10,399
College Educated
28.2%
Homeownership
50.3%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Hill Elementary has a median household income of $86,994. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $576,400, with a median rent of $1,837/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima, WA | 8.2 |
| B F Day Elementary School Seattle, WA | 8.2 |
| Basin City Elem Connell, WA | 8.2 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Yakima, WA | 8.2 |
| Crestwood Elementary Bonney Lake, WA | 8.2 |
| Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor, WA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Hill Elementary
What grades does North Hill Elementary serve?
North Hill Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend North Hill Elementary?
North Hill Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 514 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Hill Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at North Hill Elementary is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Hill Elementary rank in WA?
North Hill Elementary is ranked #282 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is North Hill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
North Hill Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 North Hill Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Hill Elementary has 60.8% math proficiency and 58.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Hill Elementary a charter school?
No, North Hill Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Hill Elementary a Title I school?
No, North Hill Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Hill Elementary?
47.5% of students at North Hill 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 514
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 631-4600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #1 of 34
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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