Average
#1499 of 2,225 schools in WA
South Bay Elementary
Elementary School · North Thurston Public Schools
3845 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98506
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lacey
#15 of 24
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#946 of 1,202
In district
#15 of 24
North Thurston Public Schools
Equity
7.3 / 10
Strong
About South Bay Elementary
South Bay Elementary serves 587 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Lacey, Washington, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.3 to 1 among its 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition as a strong academic performer, ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #389 out of 2,261 Washington elementary schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. Students at South Bay Elementary demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 62% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and an even stronger 67% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to helping students build essential foundational skills across core subject areas. The school draws families from a well-educated community where half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income of $88,512 supports student learning both at home and school. With a relatively low poverty rate of 10.3%, the surrounding neighborhood provides a stable environment for academic growth.
Located on Sleater Kinney Road Northeast, South Bay Elementary sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a quieter, more spacious environment while maintaining access to community resources and amenities that support their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Bay Elementary 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
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South Bay Elementary — Students at South Bay Elementary score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
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: 4.6/10.
How South Bay Elementary Compares
See how South Bay Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 51.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 49.5% (2024).
Location
3845 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98506
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Bay Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Olympic View Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lacey, see our Lacey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Glade Elementary Lacey | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Ignite Family Academy Lacey | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Chinook Middle School Lacey | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| North Thurston High School Lacey | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Envision Career Academy Lacey | 2.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Summit VIrtual Academy Lacey | 2.4 mi | 2.6 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey | 2.4 mi | 6.3 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Lacey | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| CAPITAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Olympia | 3.0 mi | — |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL Lacey | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Touchstone Olympia | 2.9 mi | — |
| Mountain View Elementary Lacey | 3.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Olympia | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Olympia Regional Learning Academy Olympia | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Reeves Middle School Olympia | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey | 3.6 mi | 8.0 |
| THE PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL Lacey | 3.6 mi | 7.6 |
| OLYMPIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL Olympia | 3.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Olympic View Elementary Lacey | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Lacey Elementary Lacey | 4.1 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,968
Median Home Value
$469,700
Median Rent
$1,431/mo
Population
18,763
College Educated
50.8%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
47.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Bay Elementary has a median household income of $93,968. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $469,700, with a median rent of $1,431/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Richland, WA | 5.6 |
| Edward Zeiger Elem Puyallup, WA | 5.6 |
| Fircrest Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 5.6 |
| Hamilton Elementary Port Angeles, WA | 5.6 |
| Harry S Truman Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 5.6 |
| Lowell Elementary School Seattle, WA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Bay Elementary
What grades does South Bay Elementary serve?
South Bay Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Bay Elementary?
South Bay Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 587 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Bay Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Bay Elementary is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Bay Elementary rank in WA?
South Bay Elementary is ranked #1499 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is South Bay Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Bay Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 South Bay Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Bay Elementary has 54.9% math proficiency and 54.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Bay Elementary a charter school?
No, South Bay Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Bay Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Bay Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Bay Elementary?
39.4% of students at South Bay 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,662/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lacey). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 587
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Thurston County
- Phone
- (360) 412-4640
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Thurston Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,197
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,096
- District Rank
- #15 of 24
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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