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Average

#862 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 39% in state

Pioneer Elementary School

Elementary School · Peninsula School District

8402 Skansie Ave, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Enrollment

494

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#862 of 2,228

In Gig Harbor

#9 of 14

public schools

In district

#11 of 17

Peninsula School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Pioneer Elementary School

6.9/10

Elementary School in Gig Harbor · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Henderson Bay Alt High School

4.4/10

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

Discovery Elementary School

9.2/10

0.3 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 Gig Harbor, WA, part of Peninsula School District. Pioneer Elementary School serves approximately 494 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #862 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Pioneer Elementary School show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 8.3
  • WA avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.3% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,219
Chronic Absenteeism22.3%

Pioneer Elementary School — Students at Pioneer Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 59.1% (multi-year average, 2022-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 61.8% (multi-year average, 2022-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 12 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2022
Math
58.8%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
59.2%
ELA
60.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.

How Pioneer Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
61th percentile in WA
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

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

8402 Skansie Ave, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Discovery Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harbor Heights Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Swift Water Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gig Harbor, see our Gig Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Henderson Bay Alt High School Gig Harbor 0.2 mi 4.4
Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor 0.3 mi 9.2
Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor 0.3 mi 6.5
Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor 0.7 mi 6.6
ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gig Harbor 1.0 mi 6.7
Swift Water Elementary Gig Harbor 1.5 mi 8.8
HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gig Harbor 1.4 mi
Artondale Elementary School Gig Harbor 2.9 mi 8.3
Harbor Heights Elementary School Gig Harbor 3.0 mi 9.1
Goodman Middle School Gig Harbor 3.1 mi 6.4
Purdy Elementary School Gig Harbor 3.4 mi 8.7
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gig Harbor 3.3 mi 5.4
Peninsula High School Gig Harbor 3.7 mi 4.7
GIG HARBOR ACADEMY Gig Harbor 3.6 mi 6.5
Voyager Elementary Gig Harbor 3.9 mi 8.1
Kopachuck Middle School Gig Harbor 4.0 mi 7.4
BURLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Port Orchard 5.6 mi 5.9
Science and Math Institute Tacoma 4.2 mi 6.7
MONTESSORI FARMHOUSE Port Orchard 6.4 mi
Minter Creek Elementary Gig Harbor 4.8 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,827

Median Home Value

$686,900

Median Rent

$2,373/mo

Population

19,784

College Educated

52.4%

Homeownership

82.3%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

48.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bowman Creek Elementary Auburn, WA 6.9
Chain Lake Elementary School Snohomish, WA 6.9
Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont, WA 6.9
Cottonwood Elementary Kennewick, WA 6.9
Cougar Valley Elementary Silverdale, WA 6.9
Crystal Springs Elementary Bothell, WA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer Elementary School

What grades does Pioneer Elementary School serve?

Pioneer Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Pioneer Elementary School?

Pioneer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 494 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary School is 17:1. 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 #862 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Pioneer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).

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?

11.7% 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

District

Peninsula School District
District Enrollment
9,069
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,219
District Rank
#11 of 17

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