Average
#877 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 39% in state
Panther Lake Elementary School
Elementary School · Federal Way School District
34424 1ST AV S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Federal Way
#6 of 20
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#659 of 1,202
In district
#9 of 41
Federal Way School District
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Panther Lake Elementary School
Panther Lake Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the large suburban area of Federal Way, Washington. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 422 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1, Panther Lake provides a relatively small class size that allows for more personalized attention.
The academic performance at Panther Lake Elementary School is currently in the lower to middle range when compared to other schools in Washington state. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks 33rd percentile among all schools in the state. The academic score stands at 2.4/10, with proficiency rates in ELA/Reading at 29%, Math at 21%, and Science at 39%.
While these numbers indicate room for improvement in core subjects like math and reading, Panther Lake is clearly focusing on student development across all grade levels. Panther Lake Elementary School is situated within a bustling suburban community, offering students a vibrant setting to learn and grow.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Panther Lake Elementary School — Students at Panther Lake Elementary School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.7%
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: 8.4/10.
How Panther Lake Elementary School Compares
See how Panther Lake Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 20.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 29.4% (2024).
Location
34424 1ST AV S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Panther Lake Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sherwood Forest Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Federal Way, see our Federal Way schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,800
Median Home Value
$428,500
Median Rent
$1,650/mo
Population
52,210
College Educated
27.7%
Homeownership
47.6%
Avg Commute
30.7 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Panther Lake Elementary School has a median household income of $70,800. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $428,500, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedarhurst Elementary Burien, WA | 6.8 |
| Centennial Elementary Graham, WA | 6.8 |
| Chinook Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 6.8 |
| Columbia River Gorge Elementary School Washougal, WA | 6.8 |
| Covington Elementary School Covington, WA | 6.8 |
| Daybreak Primary Battle Ground, WA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Panther Lake Elementary School
What grades does Panther Lake Elementary School serve?
Panther Lake Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Panther Lake Elementary School?
Panther Lake Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Panther Lake Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Panther Lake Elementary School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Panther Lake Elementary School rank in WA?
Panther Lake Elementary School is ranked #877 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Panther Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Panther Lake Elementary School 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 Panther Lake Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Panther Lake Elementary School has 21.2% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Panther Lake Elementary School a charter school?
No, Panther Lake Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Panther Lake Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Panther Lake Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Panther Lake Elementary School?
87.7% of students at Panther Lake 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
- City Safety
- High (4,943/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Federal Way). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 422
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (253) 945-3600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Federal Way School District- District Enrollment
- 21,818
- Schools in District
- 46
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,898
- District Rank
- #9 of 41
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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