Average
#1162 of 2,228 schools in WA
Shining Mountain Elementary
Elementary School · Bethel School District
21615 38th Ave E, Spanaway, WA 98387
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,162 of 2,228
In Spanaway
#6 of 15
public schools
In district
#19 of 33
Bethel School District
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Shining Mountain Elementary
Elementary School in Spanaway · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bethel Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bethel High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Shining Mountain Elementary
Shining Mountain Elementary is a public elementary school in Spanaway, WA, part of Bethel School District. Shining Mountain Elementary serves approximately 626 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Shining Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,162 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Shining Mountain Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 7.3
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at Shining Mountain Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shining Mountain Elementary — Students at Shining Mountain Elementary score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
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 32 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: 6.3/10.
How Shining Mountain Elementary Compares
See how Shining Mountain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pioneer Valley Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Star Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Graham), 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 | 5.3 |
| Bethel High School Spanaway | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Centennial Elementary Graham | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma | 3.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Liberty Middle School Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 2.5 |
| North Star Elementary Graham | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup | 3.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup | 3.6 mi | — |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 3.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 3.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Frederickson Elementary Puyallup | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alpac Elementary School Pacific, WA | 6.2 |
| Cedarhome Elementary School Stanwood, WA | 6.2 |
| Hillside Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main, WA | 6.2 |
| Julia Butler Hansen Elementary Olympia, WA | 6.2 |
| Kenroy Elementary East Wenatchee, WA | 6.2 |
| La Center Elementary La Center, WA | 6.2 |
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 ranks #1,162 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Shining Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Shining Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Shining Mountain Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Shining Mountain Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.7%
- Phone
- (253) 800-5200
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #19 of 33
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