Needs Improvement
#2187 of 2,228 schools in WA
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
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#2,187 of 2,228
In Federal Way
#28 of 29
public schools
In district
#40 of 41
Federal Way School District
Shortlisting around Panther Lake Elementary School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Panther Lake Elementary School
Elementary School in Federal Way · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Enterprise Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Federal Way Public Academy
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Panther Lake Elementary School
Panther Lake Elementary School is a public elementary school in Federal Way, WA, part of Federal Way School District. Panther Lake Elementary School serves approximately 422 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Panther Lake Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,187 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Panther Lake Elementary School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.4
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
54% of students at Panther Lake Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 34 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: 1.7/10.
How Panther Lake Elementary School Compares
See how Panther Lake Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST LUKES SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lakewood Elementary School N. Lakewood, WA | 3.1 |
| Logan Elementary Spokane, WA | 3.1 |
| Sunset Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 3.1 |
| Mirror Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA | 3.2 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 3.0 |
| East Hill Elementary School Kent, WA | 3.3 |
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 ranks #2,187 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Panther Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Panther Lake Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Panther Lake Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Panther Lake Elementary School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 53.6%
- Phone
- (253) 945-3600
Resources & Links
District
Federal Way School District- District Enrollment
- 21,818
- Schools in District
- 46
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,898
- District Rank
- #40 of 41
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.