Skip to main content

Excellent

#31 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 1% in state

Stephen Decatur Elementary School

Elementary School · Seattle School District No. 1

7711 43rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Enrollment

187

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Seattle

#1 of 34

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#30 of 1,202

In district

#8 of 106

Seattle School District No. 1

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Stephen Decatur Elementary School

Stephen Decatur Elementary School earns a 9.2 out of 10 composite score — a rating MySchoolScout labels Exceptional. The school serves 187 students in kindergarten through fifth grade on a 17-to-1 student-teacher ratio, keeping classes small enough for consistent individual attention. The academic numbers are what set Decatur apart.

Its academic subscore hits a perfect 10.0, and a growth score of 9.1 signals that students don't just arrive prepared — they keep accelerating. Those results place the school #1 of 34 public schools in Seattle and #31 of 2,225 public schools across Washington, outperforming 99% of the state. For families weighing elementary options in Seattle, Decatur's position is clear.

It ranks #30 of 1,202 elementary schools in Washington, placing it among the state's top 30 at the elementary level. With only 187 students enrolled, the school operates at a scale where individual attention is the norm rather than the exception. Parents who prioritize both peak academic results and sustained growth will find few public elementary options in Washington that match what Decatur delivers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 187 students, Stephen Decatur Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics10.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency97.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency97.5%
Overall Proficiency98%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+25.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,430

Stephen Decatur Elementary School — Students at Stephen Decatur Elementary School score 98% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 97.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 97.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2022
ELA
97.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.

How Stephen Decatur Elementary School Compares

See how Stephen Decatur Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in WA
Academic
10.0/10
10.0/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

7711 43rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stephen Decatur Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. View Ridge Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sand Point Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bryant Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Thornton Creek Elementary School Seattle 0.1 mi 8.0
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Seattle 0.4 mi 6.9
View Ridge Elementary School Seattle 0.5 mi 9.0
Eckstein Middle School Seattle 0.6 mi 7.1
Wedgwood Elementary School Seattle 0.8 mi 8.4
Bryant Elementary School Seattle 1.1 mi 8.6
UNIVERSITY PREP Seattle 0.8 mi 6.8
SEATTLE WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL Seattle 0.8 mi 6.8
John Rogers Elementary School Seattle 1.5 mi 8.3
SEATTLE WALDORF SCHOOL Seattle 1.3 mi 7.7
Sand Point Elementary Seattle 1.2 mi 9.0
VILLA ACADEMY Seattle 1.6 mi 7.4
Laurelhurst Elementary School Seattle 1.6 mi 7.0
Nathan Hale High School Seattle 1.6 mi 7.4
Jane Addams Middle School Seattle 1.7 mi 6.4
Sacajawea Elementary School Seattle 1.5 mi 7.0
Roosevelt High School Seattle 1.5 mi 7.2
UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Seattle 1.8 mi 7.3
PERKINS SCHOOL Seattle 1.8 mi 7.7
ACADEMY FOR PRECISION LEARNING Seattle 2.0 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,190

Median Home Value

$1,041,500

Median Rent

$2,118/mo

Population

54,248

College Educated

78.3%

Homeownership

59.3%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

37.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Stephen Decatur Elementary School has a median household income of $148,190. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,041,500, with a median rent of $2,118/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Cascade K-8 Community School Shoreline, WA 9.2
NORTHLAKE ACADEMY Kirkland, WA 9.2
Balboa Elementary Spokane, WA 9.1
Edwin Markham Elementary Pasco, WA 9.1
Montlake Elementary School Seattle, WA 9.0
Sand Point Elementary Seattle, WA 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stephen Decatur Elementary School

What grades does Stephen Decatur Elementary School serve?

Stephen Decatur Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Stephen Decatur Elementary School?

Stephen Decatur Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 187 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stephen Decatur Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Stephen Decatur Elementary School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Stephen Decatur Elementary School rank in WA?

Stephen Decatur Elementary School is ranked #31 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Stephen Decatur Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Stephen Decatur Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Stephen Decatur Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stephen Decatur Elementary School has 97.5% math proficiency and 97.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Stephen Decatur Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Stephen Decatur Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Stephen Decatur Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stephen Decatur Elementary School?

6.4% of students at Stephen Decatur Elementary School 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
60 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
89 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,803/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seattle). Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does Stephen Decatur Elementary School stack up?

Magnolia Elementary School
9.2
Sand Point Elementary
9.0
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
187
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Seattle School District No. 1
District Enrollment
50,770
Schools in District
109
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,806
District Rank
#8 of 106

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.