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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Math vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,854

South Bay Elementary — Students at South Bay Elementary score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.9%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 54.2%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
65%
2022
ELA
60%
2024
Math
51.9%
ELA
50.1%

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.

Overall Score
5.6/10
33th percentile in WA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Thurston Public Schools
District Enrollment
15,197
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,096
District Rank
#15 of 24

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 methodology

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