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Needs Improvement

#2071 of 2,228 schools in WA

Pioneer Elementary School

Elementary School · Auburn School District

2301 M St SE, Auburn, WA 98002

Enrollment

646

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,071 of 2,228

In Auburn

#26 of 31

public schools

In district

#21 of 24

Auburn School District

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Pioneer Elementary School

3.8/10

Elementary School in Auburn · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Olympic Middle School

4.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Gildo Rey Elementary School

4.6/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pioneer Elementary School

Pioneer Elementary School is a public elementary school in Auburn, WA, part of Auburn School District. Pioneer Elementary School serves approximately 646 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,071 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Pioneer Elementary School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.8
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

49% of students at Pioneer 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 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.3% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,620
Chronic Absenteeism49.1%

Pioneer Elementary School — Students at Pioneer Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 53.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
93%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
73%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
84%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
31.1%
ELA
28%
2024
Math
35.1%
ELA
25.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.

How Pioneer Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
7th percentile in WA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2301 M St SE, Auburn, WA 98002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lake Tapps Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Lake Tapps), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeland Hills Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Auburn, see our Auburn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Olympic Middle School Auburn 0.2 mi 4.5
Gildo Rey Elementary School Auburn 0.7 mi 4.6
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn 0.6 mi 7.4
Terminal Park Elementary School Auburn 0.8 mi 6.3
Mt Baker Middle School Auburn 1.0 mi 5.1
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Auburn 1.3 mi 7.3
Washington Elementary School Auburn 1.5 mi 5.0
Auburn Riverside High School Auburn 1.5 mi 5.7
Auburn Senior High School Auburn 1.5 mi 3.7
Special Ed School Auburn 1.6 mi
Ilalko Elementary School Auburn 1.8 mi 5.0
Auburn Opportunity Project Auburn 1.7 mi 6.7
Dick Scobee Elementary School Auburn 2.3 mi 3.6
Chinook Elementary School Auburn 1.5 mi 5.3
Lakeland Hills Elementary Auburn 2.3 mi 8.2
Bowman Creek Elementary Auburn 2.4 mi 6.9
Alpac Elementary School Pacific 2.0 mi 6.2
Cascade Middle School Auburn 2.8 mi 5.3
Lake Tapps Elementary Lake Tapps 3.1 mi 8.4
Rainier Middle School Auburn 3.0 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,714

Median Home Value

$397,700

Median Rent

$1,613/mo

Population

37,284

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

49.8%

Avg Commute

30.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

35.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Midway Elementary Des Moines, WA 3.8
Orchards Elementary School Vancouver, WA 3.8
Enterprise Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.7
Evergreen Elementary School Shelton, WA 3.7
Grant Elementary Ephrata, WA 3.7
Lucille Umbarger Elementary Burlington, WA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer Elementary School

What grades does Pioneer Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Pioneer Elementary School?

Pioneer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 646 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pioneer Elementary School rank in WA?

Pioneer Elementary School ranks #2,071 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Pioneer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Pioneer Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pioneer Elementary School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Pioneer Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Pioneer Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Pioneer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

74.3% of students at Pioneer 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
646
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
King County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.1%

District

Auburn School District
District Enrollment
18,107
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,620
District Rank
#21 of 24

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