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Excellent

#313 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 14% in state

North Star Elementary

Elementary School · Bethel School District

7719 224th St E, Graham, WA 98338

Enrollment

463

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Graham

#1 of 9

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#288 of 1,202

In district

#5 of 33

Bethel School District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About North Star Elementary

North Star Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth-grade students in Graham, Washington, a large suburban community in Pierce County. With 463 students and 30 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4 to 1, supporting individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, North Star ranks in the 80th percentile statewide, placing it #459 out of 2,261 Washington schools.

The school earned a MySchoolScout Rating of 7.3 out of 10. In reading and language arts, 56% of students across all grades performed at proficient levels or above, while 51% met or exceeded proficiency benchmarks in math. Science showed stronger performance, with 64% of students achieving proficiency or above.

These scores reflect a school with solid strengths in science instruction and areas where reading and math have room for growth. The ratio of teachers to students suggests the school can provide meaningful support to learners at different levels. Located in a suburban setting, North Star Elementary draws families from the surrounding Graham community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.4%
Math vs. State Avg-1.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,195

North Star Elementary — Students at North Star Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.3%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
50.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
60%
2022
ELA
54%
2024
Math
50.8%
ELA
55.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How North Star Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in WA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

7719 224th St E, Graham, WA 98338

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Star Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pioneer Valley Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Frank Brouillet Elem (rated 8.0/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Puyallup), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Graham Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Graham, see our Graham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Liberty Middle School Spanaway 1.0 mi 5.6
Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway 1.0 mi 2.6
Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway 1.1 mi 8.4
Centennial Elementary Graham 1.8 mi 6.8
Graham Elementary Graham 1.8 mi 7.5
Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham 2.5 mi 5.9
Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup 2.6 mi 7.0
Frontier Middle School Graham 1.9 mi 4.3
Graham Kapowsin High School Graham 2.0 mi 5.5
Nelson Elementary School Graham 2.0 mi 7.2
Frederickson Elementary Puyallup 3.1 mi 3.6
Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham 2.9 mi 6.5
Shining Mountain Elementary Spanaway 2.4 mi 7.0
Bethel High School Spanaway 2.3 mi 5.1
Bethel Middle School Spanaway 2.4 mi 5.9
Frank Brouillet Elem Puyallup 3.3 mi 8.0
Kapowsin Elementary Graham 3.2 mi 4.4
Doris Stahl Junior High Puyallup 3.5 mi 5.7
Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup 4.0 mi
Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup 4.0 mi 3.5

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 North Star Elementary 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
Adams Elementary Spokane Valley, WA 8.1
Belfair Elementary Belfair, WA 8.1
Bennett Elementary School Bellevue, WA 8.1
Butler Acres Elementary Kelso, WA 8.1
Carl Sandburg Elementary Kirkland, WA 8.1
Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma, WA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Star Elementary

What grades does North Star Elementary serve?

North Star Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend North Star Elementary?

North Star Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at North Star Elementary is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Star Elementary rank in WA?

North Star Elementary is ranked #313 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is North Star Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

North Star Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Star Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Star Elementary has 51.3% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Star Elementary a charter school?

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

Is North Star Elementary a Title I school?

No, North Star Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

49.9% of students at North Star 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (763/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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