Average
#889 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 40% in state
Palouse Elementary
Elementary School · Palouse School District
600 E Alder Street, Palouse, WA 99161
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palouse
#3 of 4
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#665 of 1,202
In district
#2 of 3
Palouse School District
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Palouse Elementary
Palouse Elementary serves 90 students in grades PreK through 5 in the small rural community of Palouse, Washington. This exceptional public school has earned recognition as one of Washington's top elementary schools, ranking 28th out of 2,261 schools statewide and placing in the 99th percentile with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. The school's academic performance is particularly strong, with an academic score of 8.7 out of 10 and 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels.
With just 10 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Palouse Elementary maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 9:1, allowing for personalized attention and small class sizes that support student success. The school draws from a well-educated community where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income of $89,167 reflects the area's economic stability. With a poverty rate of just 2.7%, the ZIP code population of 1,366 represents a close-knit, supportive environment for learning.
Palouse Elementary is nestled in Whitman County's remote rural setting, offering students a peaceful, small-town educational experience where academic excellence thrives.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 90 students, Palouse 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Palouse Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Palouse 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 metricsView breakdown
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Palouse Elementary — Students at Palouse Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 4.4/10.
How Palouse Elementary Compares
See how Palouse Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 60.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 52.2% (2024).
Location
600 E Alder Street, Palouse, WA 99161
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palouse Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WEST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Moscow), which scores notably higher. Another option is A B MCDONALD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Moscow), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MOSCOW CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Moscow), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Palouse, see our Palouse schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Garfield at Palouse High School Palouse | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Palouse High School Palouse | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Palouse at Garfield Middle School Palouse | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| WILD ROSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Viola | 4.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Garfield Elementary Garfield | 7.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Garfield Middle School Garfield | 7.7 mi | — |
| POTLATCH JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Potlatch | 7.9 mi | 5.8 |
| POTLATCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Potlatch | 8.3 mi | 6.5 |
| LOGOS SCHOOL Moscow | 12.6 mi | 6.5 |
| WEST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow | 12.9 mi | 7.9 |
| J RUSSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow | 12.8 mi | 5.8 |
| ST MARY'S PARISH SCHOOL Moscow | 12.7 mi | 6.8 |
| MOSCOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Moscow | 12.7 mi | 7.2 |
| MOSCOW HIGH SCHOOL Moscow | 13.0 mi | 6.3 |
| MOSCOW CHARTER SCHOOL Moscow | 12.8 mi | 7.3 |
| LENA WHITMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow | 13.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Pullman High School Pullman | 12.6 mi | 8.3 |
| A B MCDONALD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moscow | 13.0 mi | 7.6 |
| PARADISE CREEK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Moscow | 13.6 mi | — |
| Jefferson Elementary Pullman | 13.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99161 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,750
Median Home Value
$285,800
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
1,478
College Educated
47.8%
Homeownership
83.1%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Median Age
45.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palouse Elementary has a median household income of $90,750. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $285,800, with a median rent of $933/month. The local poverty rate of 2.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Spokane Valley, WA | 6.8 |
| CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham, WA | 6.7 |
| Explorer Community School Redmond, WA | 6.7 |
| HARBOR SCHOOL Vashon, WA | 6.7 |
| SPOKANE WINDSONG SCHOOL Spokane, WA | 6.7 |
| SPRUCE ST SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palouse Elementary
What grades does Palouse Elementary serve?
Palouse Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Palouse Elementary?
Palouse Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palouse Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Palouse Elementary is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palouse Elementary rank in WA?
Palouse Elementary is ranked #889 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Palouse Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Palouse Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Palouse Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palouse Elementary has 56.8% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palouse Elementary a charter school?
No, Palouse Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palouse Elementary a Title I school?
No, Palouse Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palouse Elementary?
52.2% of students at Palouse 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (85/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 90
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Whitman County
- Phone
- (509) 878-1921
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palouse School District- District Enrollment
- 178
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,530
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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