Excellent
#42 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 2% in state
Northwood Elementary School
Elementary School · Mercer Island School District
4030 86th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Enrollment
398
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
398
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mercer Island
#2 of 6
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#41 of 1,202
In district
#2 of 6
Mercer Island School District
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwood Elementary School
Northwood Elementary serves 398 students across pre-kindergarten through fifth grade on Mercer Island, Washington. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10, labeled Exceptional — with an academic subscore of 9.6 and a growth subscore of 9.7. Both fall near the ceiling of the 10-point rating scale and signal strong outcomes across grade levels.
The statewide comparison makes that concrete. Northwood ranks 42nd among 2,225 public schools in Washington, outperforming 98% of schools statewide. That rank holds specifically at the elementary level: 41st out of 1,202 Washington elementary schools, a top-4% result.
On Mercer Island, it holds the second spot among six public schools. The school runs at a student-teacher ratio of 16.6 to 1, keeping class sizes manageable across 398 enrolled students. As a regular public school — not a magnet, charter, or alternative program — enrollment follows standard district processes rather than a selective application.
For families weighing Mercer Island's public elementary options, Northwood's statewide rank and Exceptional composite score give a clear, data-backed picture of where the school stands.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Northwood Elementary School — Students at Northwood Elementary School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.
How Northwood Elementary School Compares
See how Northwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 82.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 82.9% (2024).
Location
4030 86th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Island Park Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is West Mercer Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Newport Heights Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Bellevue), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mercer Island, see our Mercer Island schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer Island High School Mercer Island | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| ST MONICA SCHOOL Mercer Island | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| West Mercer Elementary Mercer Island | 0.4 mi | 8.8 |
| PRIVETT ACADEMY Mercer Island | 0.6 mi | — |
| EARLY WORLD MONTESSORI Mercer Island | 0.8 mi | — |
| YELLOW WOOD ACADEMY Mercer Island | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PUGET SOUND Mercer Island | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| NORTHWEST YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL Mercer Island | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER LLC Mercer Island | 1.2 mi | — |
| Island Park Elementary Mercer Island | 1.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Enatai Elementary School Bellevue | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Islander Middle School Mercer Island | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Bellevue High School Bellevue | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Lakeridge Elementary School Mercer Island | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Medina Elementary School Medina | 3.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Newport Heights Elementary Bellevue | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
| TORAH ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Seattle | 2.5 mi | — |
| Vera Risdon Middle School Newcastle | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Newport Senior High School Bellevue | 2.4 mi | 8.0 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Clyde Hill | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$202,359
Median Home Value
$1,884,200
Median Rent
$2,464/mo
Population
25,282
College Educated
78.8%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
45.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwood Elementary School has a median household income of $202,359. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,884,200, with a median rent of $2,464/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Bailey Gatzert Elementary School Seattle, WA | 9.1 |
| Balboa Elementary Spokane, WA | 9.1 |
| Downing Elementary School Tacoma, WA | 9.1 |
| East Ridge Elementary Woodinville, WA | 9.1 |
| Endeavour Elementary School Issaquah, WA | 9.1 |
| John Stanford International School Seattle, WA | 9.1 |
Compare Northwood Elementary School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwood Elementary School
What grades does Northwood Elementary School serve?
Northwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Northwood Elementary School?
Northwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 398 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood Elementary School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwood Elementary School rank in WA?
Northwood Elementary School is ranked #42 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Northwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Northwood Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood Elementary School has 81.2% math proficiency and 81.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Northwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Northwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwood Elementary School?
9.8% of students at Northwood 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
- Walk Score
- 48 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 23 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 37 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,278/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mercer Island). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 398
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 9.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (253) 841-8740
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mercer Island School District- District Enrollment
- 3,975
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,288
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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