Very Good
#768 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 35% in state
Shining Mountain Elementary
Elementary School · Bethel School District
21615 38th Ave E, Spanaway, WA 98387
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spanaway
#3 of 14
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#600 of 1,202
In district
#9 of 33
Bethel School District
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Shining Mountain Elementary
Shining Mountain Elementary is a welcoming public elementary school in Spanaway, Washington. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 626 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Shining Mountain places it around the 61st percentile among Washington state schools, with MySchoolScout rating its overall score as 6.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 5.5 out of 10.
In terms of subject proficiency rates, 45% of students are proficient in ELA/reading, 38% in math, and 46% in science. Shining Mountain Elementary is situated in a large suburban area that offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and local amenities. With room for academic growth, the school focuses on supporting student development through dedicated teachers and engaging learning environments.
Score Breakdown
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Shining Mountain Elementary — Students at Shining Mountain Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How Shining Mountain Elementary Compares
See how Shining Mountain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 38.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 45% (2024).
Location
21615 38th Ave E, Spanaway, WA 98387
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shining Mountain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pioneer Valley Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clover Creek Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spanaway, see our Spanaway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bethel Middle School Spanaway | 0.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Bethel High School Spanaway | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Centennial Elementary Graham | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Liberty Middle School Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 2.6 |
| North Star Elementary Graham | 2.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 3.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup | 3.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup | 3.6 mi | — |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 3.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Frederickson Elementary Puyallup | 3.5 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,141
Median Home Value
$424,100
Median Rent
$1,837/mo
Population
49,940
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
37.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
34.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shining Mountain Elementary has a median household income of $101,141. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $424,100, with a median rent of $1,837/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 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 |
|---|---|
| Captain Gray STEM Elementary Pasco, WA | 7.0 |
| Daffodil Valley Elementary Sumner, WA | 7.0 |
| Dieringer Heights Elementary Lake Tapps, WA | 7.0 |
| Emerson Elementary School Everett, WA | 7.0 |
| Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup, WA | 7.0 |
| Evergreen Elementary School Shelton, WA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shining Mountain Elementary
What grades does Shining Mountain Elementary serve?
Shining Mountain Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Shining Mountain Elementary?
Shining Mountain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 626 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shining Mountain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Shining Mountain Elementary is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shining Mountain Elementary rank in WA?
Shining Mountain Elementary is ranked #768 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Shining Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Shining Mountain Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Shining Mountain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shining Mountain Elementary has 38.5% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shining Mountain Elementary a charter school?
No, Shining Mountain Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shining Mountain Elementary a Title I school?
No, Shining Mountain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shining Mountain Elementary?
60.9% of students at Shining Mountain Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (763/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 626
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 800-5200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #9 of 33
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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