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Needs Improvement

#2130 of 2,225 schools in WA

Parkside Elementary

Elementary School · Highline School District

2104 S 247th St, Des Moines, WA 98198

Enrollment

489

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#5 of 7

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#1,187 of 1,202

In district

#30 of 34

Highline School District

About Parkside Elementary

Parkside Elementary in Des Moines, Washington offers a comprehensive education to students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 489 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, the school provides personalized attention that supports each child's learning journey. Located in a large suburban area, Parkside Elementary benefits from its surroundings with easy access to local parks and community resources.

The academic performance at Parkside Elementary is currently focusing on areas for growth. According to MySchoolScout’s metrics, the school has a rating of 3.2 out of 10, placing it in the 15th percentile among Washington state schools. In ELA/Reading, 32% of students are proficient or above, while 26% meet proficiency standards in Math and 34% do so in Science.

The school is committed to improving these scores and enhancing its educational programs. Parkside Elementary stands as a cornerstone of the Des Moines community, fostering a supportive environment for both students and families within its large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.3%
Math vs. State Avg-30.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.1 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,077

Parkside Elementary — Students at Parkside Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.5%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 31.8%
School
State
50.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
53%
2022
ELA
27%
2024
Math
21.4%
ELA
27.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.

How Parkside Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in WA
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

2104 S 247th St, Des Moines, WA 98198

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Parkside Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Star Lake Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Kent), which scores notably higher. Another option is Madrona Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Seatac), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mark Twain Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Federal Way), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Des Moines Elementary Des Moines 0.6 mi 5.9
HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 0.9 mi 5.8
K-SCHOOL Des Moines 0.9 mi 6.4
Pacific Middle School Des Moines 1.2 mi 3.3
Mount Rainier High School Des Moines 1.3 mi 6.0
Woodmont K-8 School Des Moines 1.3 mi 5.2
Midway Elementary Des Moines 1.3 mi 3.3
Cascade Public Schools Des Moines 1.4 mi
ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Des Moines 1.6 mi 6.4
Sunnycrest Elementary School Kent 1.1 mi 4.4
Mark Twain Elementary School Federal Way 1.7 mi 6.5
River Ridge Elementary Seatac 1.6 mi 5.4
Star Lake Elementary School Kent 1.7 mi 7.8
Evergreen Middle School Kent 1.7 mi 5.0
Valhalla Elementary School Auburn 2.3 mi 5.3
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Auburn 2.4 mi
Madrona Elementary Seatac 2.8 mi 6.6
Nautilus K-8 School Federal Way 2.8 mi 6.5
BASIC STEPS ACADEMY Kent 2.1 mi
Thomas Jefferson High School Auburn 2.8 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98198 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,938

Median Home Value

$527,100

Median Rent

$1,770/mo

Population

39,815

College Educated

31.5%

Homeownership

54.3%

Avg Commute

30.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Parkside Elementary has a median household income of $83,938. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $527,100, with a median rent of $1,770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Idlewild Elementary School Lakewood, WA 3.7
Mirror Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.8
Pioneer Elementary School Shelton, WA 3.8
Rainier View Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.8
Frederickson Elementary Puyallup, WA 3.6
Karshner Elementary Puyallup, WA 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Parkside Elementary

What grades does Parkside Elementary serve?

Parkside Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Parkside Elementary?

Parkside Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 489 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Parkside Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Parkside Elementary is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Parkside Elementary rank in WA?

Parkside Elementary is ranked #2130 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Parkside Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Parkside Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Parkside Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Parkside Elementary has 26.5% math proficiency and 31.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Parkside Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Parkside Elementary a Title I school?

No, Parkside Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

83.0% of students at Parkside 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

City Safety
High (3,161/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Highline School District
District Enrollment
17,823
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,594
District Rank
#30 of 34

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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