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Below Average

#1789 of 2,228 schools in WA

Southworth Elementary

Elementary School · Yelm School District

PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597

Enrollment

669

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,789 of 2,228

In Yelm

#8 of 10

public schools

In district

#8 of 10

Yelm School District

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Southworth Elementary

4.9/10

Elementary School in Yelm · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Yelm High School 12

5.8/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Yelm Middle School

6.7/10

2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southworth Elementary

Southworth Elementary is a public elementary school in Yelm, WA, part of Yelm School District. Southworth Elementary serves approximately 669 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Southworth Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,789 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Southworth Elementary show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Southworth Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

35% of students at Southworth 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 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.4% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,820
Chronic Absenteeism34.5%

Southworth Elementary — Students at Southworth Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
40.5%
ELA
49%
2024
Math
39%
ELA
45.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How Southworth Elementary Compares

See how Southworth Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
20th percentile in WA
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southworth Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadows Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Lacey), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rainier Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Rainier), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rainier Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Jblm Lewis Main), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Yelm, see our Yelm schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Yelm High School 12 Yelm 1.5 mi 5.8
Yelm Middle School Yelm 2.3 mi 6.7
Ridgeline Middle School Yelm 2.7 mi 6.5
Yelm Extension School Yelm 2.5 mi 3.3
Mill Pond Elementary School Yelm 2.8 mi 6.9
Fort Stevens Elementary Yelm 3.2 mi 7.1
Yelm Prairie Elementary Yelm 3.9 mi 6.2
EAGLE VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yelm 5.3 mi 5.9
McKenna Elementary Yelm 4.6 mi 7.0
Rainier Middle School Rainier 6.1 mi 6.4
Rainier Senior High School Rainier 6.2 mi 6.0
Rainier Elementary School Rainier 6.4 mi 8.5
Roy Elementary Roy 5.2 mi 6.9
Wa He Lut Indian School Olympia 7.4 mi 6.2
Rainier Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main 8.2 mi 8.5
Meadows Elementary Lacey 7.1 mi 8.8
Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey 6.5 mi 7.3
Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont 8.8 mi 6.9
Pioneer Middle Dupont 9.1 mi 6.1
River Ridge High School Lacey 7.9 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98597 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,120

Median Home Value

$423,200

Median Rent

$1,441/mo

Population

26,431

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

80.4%

Avg Commute

36.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

36.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale, WA 4.9
Firgrove Elementary Puyallup, WA 4.9
Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary Tulalip, WA 4.9
Riverbend Elementary School Spokane Valley, WA 4.9
Selah Intermediate School Selah, WA 4.9
Allen Creek Elementary School Marysville, WA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southworth Elementary

What grades does Southworth Elementary serve?

Southworth Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Southworth Elementary?

Southworth Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 669 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southworth Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Southworth Elementary is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southworth Elementary rank in WA?

Southworth Elementary ranks #1,789 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Southworth Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Southworth Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Southworth Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southworth Elementary has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Southworth Elementary a charter school?

No, Southworth Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southworth Elementary a Title I school?

No, Southworth Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southworth Elementary?

45.0% of students at Southworth 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

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
669
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Thurston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

District

Yelm School District
District Enrollment
5,738
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,820
District Rank
#8 of 10

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