Skip to main content

Average

#1290 of 2,228 schools in WA

Sumas Elementary

Elementary School · Nooksack Valley School District

1024 Lawson St, Sumas, WA 98295

Enrollment

281

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,290 of 2,228

In district

#5 of 5

Nooksack Valley School District

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Sumas Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Sumas Elementary

6.0/10

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

Nooksack Valley High School

7.3/10

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

Nooksack Valley Special Services

Nearby

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

About Sumas Elementary

Sumas Elementary is a public elementary school in Sumas, WA, part of Nooksack Valley School District. Sumas Elementary serves approximately 281 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Sumas Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,290 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Sumas Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Sumas 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.

40% of students at Sumas 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 Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.1% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,753
Chronic Absenteeism39.5%

Sumas Elementary — Students at Sumas Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 59.8% (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
72%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
40.7%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
43.6%
ELA
43.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.

How Sumas Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in WA
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.5%

Location

1024 Lawson St, Sumas, WA 98295

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sumas Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vossbeck Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Lynden), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nooksack Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Everson), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Everson Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Everson), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sumas, see our Sumas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Nooksack Valley High School Everson 3.0 mi 7.3
Nooksack Valley Special Services Everson 3.0 mi
Nooksack Reengagement Nooksack 3.0 mi
Nooksack Elementary Everson 5.2 mi 7.0
Nooksack Valley Middle School Everson 5.9 mi 6.1
Everson Elementary Everson 7.4 mi 6.6
Kendall Elementary Maple Falls 7.6 mi 5.4
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lynden 6.9 mi
Lynden Middle School Lynden 7.5 mi 6.4
Vossbeck Elementary School Lynden 7.9 mi 7.6
Mount Baker Junior High Deming 11.7 mi 4.1
Mount Baker Academy Deming 11.7 mi
Educational Resource Center Deming 11.8 mi 6.0
Mount Baker Senior High Deming 11.8 mi 5.0
Lynden High School Lynden 8.2 mi 6.1
Harmony Elementary Bellingham 12.2 mi 5.5
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS: ADMINISTRATION Lynden 9.0 mi 4.6
Isom Elementary School Lynden 9.8 mi 6.3
Lynden Student Services Lynden 10.0 mi 5.1
Fisher Elementary School Lynden 10.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98295 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,337

Median Home Value

$408,000

Median Rent

$1,341/mo

Population

3,135

College Educated

17.8%

Homeownership

60.3%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

37.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Walla Walla, WA 6.0
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham, WA 6.0
Bridgeport Elementary Bridgeport, WA 6.0
Cape Horn Skye Elementary Washougal, WA 6.0
Chase Lake Elementary Edmonds, WA 6.0
Custer Elementary School Lakewood, WA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sumas Elementary

What grades does Sumas Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Sumas Elementary?

Sumas Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sumas Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sumas Elementary is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sumas Elementary rank in WA?

Sumas Elementary ranks #1,290 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Sumas Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sumas Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Sumas Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sumas Elementary has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Sumas Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sumas Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

61.6% of students at Sumas 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Whatcom County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.5%

District

Nooksack Valley School District
District Enrollment
1,946
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,753
District Rank
#5 of 5

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.