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Excellent

#272 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 12% in state

Rainier Elementary School

Elementary School · Rainier School District

P.O. Box 98, Rainier, WA 98576

Enrollment

472

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#272 of 2,228

In Rainier

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Rainier School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Rainier Elementary School

8.5/10

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

Rainier Senior High School

6.0/10

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

Rainier Middle School

6.4/10

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

About Rainier Elementary School

Rainier Elementary School is a public elementary school in Rainier, WA, part of Rainier School District. Rainier Elementary School serves approximately 472 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Rainier Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #272 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Rainier Elementary School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts above WA schools
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Rainier Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,579
Chronic Absenteeism29.9%

Rainier Elementary School — Students at Rainier Elementary School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 54.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
53%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
50.1%
ELA
49%
2024
Math
56.4%
ELA
56.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.

How Rainier Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
88th percentile in WA
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.9%

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

P.O. Box 98, Rainier, WA 98576

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rainier Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Woodland Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Lacey), with a comparable rating. Another option is Evergreen Forest Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Lacey), a more accessible option. Additionally, Tenino Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Tenino), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rainier, see our Rainier schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Rainier Senior High School Rainier 0.2 mi 6.0
Rainier Middle School Rainier 0.3 mi 6.4
EAGLE VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yelm 4.2 mi 5.9
Ridgeline Middle School Yelm 5.0 mi 6.5
Mill Pond Elementary School Yelm 5.1 mi 6.9
Yelm High School 12 Yelm 5.7 mi 5.8
Southworth Elementary Yelm 6.4 mi 4.9
Yelm Middle School Yelm 5.8 mi 6.7
Yelm Extension School Yelm 5.8 mi 3.3
Yelm Prairie Elementary Yelm 5.8 mi 6.2
Fort Stevens Elementary Yelm 6.3 mi 7.1
McKenna Elementary Yelm 7.6 mi 7.0
Woodland Elementary Lacey 9.4 mi 7.8
Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey 9.9 mi 7.3
Tenino Elementary School Tenino 7.5 mi 7.2
Chambers Prairie Elementary School Lacey 9.2 mi 6.8
Tenino Middle School Tenino 7.5 mi 5.4
Parkside Elementary Tenino 7.6 mi 6.5
East Olympia Elementary Olympia 8.5 mi 6.7
Lakes Elementary School Lacey 9.8 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98576 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,336

Median Home Value

$400,000

Median Rent

$1,193/mo

Population

5,063

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

89.9%

Avg Commute

40.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

41.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cherrydale Elementary Steilacoom, WA 8.5
Clear Lake Elementary School Clear Lake, WA 8.5
Creekside Elementary School Mead, WA 8.5
Crestwood Elementary School Covington, WA 8.5
East Ridge Elementary Woodinville, WA 8.5
Hamilton Elementary Port Angeles, WA 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rainier Elementary School

What grades does Rainier Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Rainier Elementary School?

Rainier Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 472 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Rainier Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rainier Elementary School rank in WA?

Rainier Elementary School ranks #272 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Rainier Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rainier Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Rainier Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rainier Elementary School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Rainier Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Rainier Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

47.5% of students at Rainier 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
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Thurston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.9%

District

Rainier School District
District Enrollment
979
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,579
District Rank
#1 of 3

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