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Average

#1549 of 2,225 schools in WA

Pioneer Elementary School

Elementary School · Peninsula School District

8402 Skansie Ave, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Enrollment

494

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gig Harbor

#13 of 14

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#968 of 1,202

In district

#15 of 17

Peninsula School District

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Pioneer Elementary School

Pioneer Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Gig Harbor, Washington. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Pioneer has an enrollment of 494 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance shows that 62% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 59% in Math, and 70% in Science.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranking at #762 among the state’s 2261 schools (placing it around the 66th percentile), Pioneer Elementary focuses on student development with room for academic growth. The school is situated in a large suburban area, providing students with a community rich in resources and support.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.24 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.3%
Math vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,026

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 59.2%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 61.8%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 11 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
ELA
67%
2024
Math
59.2%
ELA
60.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.1/10.

How Pioneer Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in WA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

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. Harbor Heights Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Purdy Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Discovery Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.3 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 7.4
Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor 0.3 mi 8.2
Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor 0.3 mi 6.8
Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor 0.7 mi 6.0
ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gig Harbor 1.0 mi 6.7
Swift Water Elementary Gig Harbor 1.5 mi 7.8
HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gig Harbor 1.4 mi
Artondale Elementary School Gig Harbor 2.9 mi 6.7
Harbor Heights Elementary School Gig Harbor 3.0 mi 9.2
Goodman Middle School Gig Harbor 3.1 mi 7.0
Purdy Elementary School Gig Harbor 3.4 mi 9.0
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gig Harbor 3.3 mi 5.4
Peninsula High School Gig Harbor 3.7 mi 5.1
GIG HARBOR ACADEMY Gig Harbor 3.6 mi 6.5
Voyager Elementary Gig Harbor 3.9 mi 7.2
Kopachuck Middle School Gig Harbor 4.0 mi 7.0
BURLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Port Orchard 5.6 mi 5.9
Science and Math Institute Tacoma 4.2 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI FARMHOUSE Port Orchard 6.4 mi
Minter Creek Elementary Gig Harbor 4.8 mi 7.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pioneer Elementary School has a median household income of $122,827. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $686,900, with a median rent of $2,373/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Centennial Elementary Olympia, WA 5.5
Columbia Elementary Burbank, WA 5.5
Conway School District 317 Mount Vernon, WA 5.5
East Hill Elementary School Kent, WA 5.5
Esquire Hills Elementary Bremerton, WA 5.5
Franklin Elementary Port Angeles, WA 5.5

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 is ranked #1549 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Pioneer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Pioneer Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer Elementary School has 59.2% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,183/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gig Harbor). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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