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Needs Improvement

#2120 of 2,225 schools in WA

Pioneer Elementary School

Elementary School · Pioneer School District

112 E SPENCER LAKE RD., Shelton, WA 98584

Enrollment

492

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shelton

#3 of 3

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#1,184 of 1,202

In district

#2 of 2

Pioneer School District

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Pioneer Elementary School

Pioneer Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Shelton, Washington, nestled in a rural area near the town. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 492 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1. With 37 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Pioneer Elementary offers a supportive learning environment.

Academically, the school is rated at 2.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 2058th out of 2261 schools in Washington state, placing it in the 9th percentile overall. The academic score stands at 1.8 out of 10, indicating areas for improvement, particularly in ELA/Reading (28% proficiency) and Math (20% proficiency). However, students show stronger performance in Science with 34% achieving proficiency or above.

Pioneer Elementary School is situated in a rural setting that offers a close-knit community atmosphere. Despite the challenges reflected in its current academic scores, the school remains committed to supporting student development across all grades.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pioneer Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Math vs. State Avg-35.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.9 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,907

Pioneer Elementary School — Students at Pioneer Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.1%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 28.3%
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
39%
ELA
48%
2022
ELA
26%
2024
Math
15.4%
ELA
23.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.

How Pioneer Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
5th percentile in WA
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

112 E SPENCER LAKE RD., Shelton, WA 98584

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hood Canal Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 9.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain View Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Southside Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shelton, see our Shelton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Pioneer Middle School Shelton 0.1 mi 5.1
Southside Elementary Shelton 4.9 mi 7.9
MASON COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Shelton 4.6 mi 5.6
Grapeview Elementary & Middle School Grapeview 5.8 mi 7.3
Shelton Open Doors Shelton 5.7 mi
Mason County Detention Center Shelton 5.7 mi
Bordeaux Elementary School Shelton 6.1 mi 7.4
Cedar High School Shelton 5.5 mi 8.3
Choice Middle and High School Shelton 5.8 mi 5.4
Evergreen Elementary School Shelton 5.9 mi 7.0
Olympic Middle School Shelton 5.8 mi 4.1
Mountain View Elementary Shelton 5.9 mi 8.0
Oakland Bay Junior High School Shelton 5.9 mi 4.4
Shelton High School Shelton 5.9 mi 4.0
SHELTON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Shelton 7.5 mi
Boston Harbor Elementary Olympia 10.1 mi 7.2
Hood Canal Elementary School Shelton 9.0 mi 8.3
Griffin School Olympia 12.3 mi 7.2
Leland P Brown Elementary Olympia 13.4 mi 6.2
Julia Butler Hansen Elementary Olympia 13.7 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98584 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,149

Median Home Value

$365,200

Median Rent

$1,250/mo

Population

40,036

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

77.1%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pioneer Elementary School has a median household income of $73,149. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $365,200, with a median rent of $1,250/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. 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
Mirror Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.8
Rainier View Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.8
Idlewild Elementary School Lakewood, WA 3.7
Parkside Elementary Des Moines, WA 3.7
Early Childhood Center Lynnwood, WA 3.9
Grant Elementary Ephrata, WA 3.9

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 492 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Elementary School is 13.3:1. 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 #2120 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Pioneer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 20.1% math proficiency and 28.3% 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?

65.2% 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 (2,899/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Mason County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pioneer School District
District Enrollment
744
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,599
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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