Excellent
#139 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 6% 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
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rainier
#1 of 3
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#134 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 3
Rainier School District
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Rainier Elementary School
Rainier Elementary School is a public elementary school in Rainier, WA, part of the Rainier School District. The school serves approximately 472 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 93.8th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math, 9 points above the state average and 55% in reading/language arts, 5 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $101,336, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Rainier 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 metricsView breakdown
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Rainier Elementary School — Students at Rainier Elementary School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Rainier Elementary School Compares
See how Rainier Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 56.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 56.5% (2024).
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. Mill Pond Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Yelm), with a very similar rating. Another option is Fort Stevens Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Yelm), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lakes Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Lacey), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.2 |
| Rainier Middle School Rainier | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| 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 | 8.5 |
| Yelm High School 12 Yelm | 5.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Southworth Elementary Yelm | 6.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Yelm Middle School Yelm | 5.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Yelm Extension School Yelm | 5.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Yelm Prairie Elementary Yelm | 5.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Fort Stevens Elementary Yelm | 6.3 mi | 7.9 |
| McKenna Elementary Yelm | 7.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Woodland Elementary Lacey | 9.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey | 9.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Tenino Elementary School Tenino | 7.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Chambers Prairie Elementary School Lacey | 9.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Tenino Middle School Tenino | 7.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Parkside Elementary Tenino | 7.6 mi | 6.7 |
| East Olympia Elementary Olympia | 8.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Lakes Elementary School Lacey | 9.8 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rainier Elementary School has a median household income of $101,336. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $400,000, with a median rent of $1,193/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute in the area is 40 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Browns Point Elementary School Tacoma, WA | 8.7 |
| Capt Johnston Blakely Elem Sch Bainbridge Island, WA | 8.7 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Jblm Mcchord Field, WA | 8.7 |
| Chester Elementary School Spokane Valley, WA | 8.7 |
| Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont, WA | 8.7 |
| Clark Elementary Issaquah, WA | 8.7 |
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 is ranked #139 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Rainier Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rainier Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Rainier Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rainier Elementary School has 54.5% math proficiency and 54.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 446-4020
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rainier School District- District Enrollment
- 979
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,579
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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 methodologyRelated reading
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