Below Average
#1945 of 2,225 schools in WA
Sunset Elementary
Elementary School · Cheney School District
12824 W 12th St, Airway Heights, WA 99001
Enrollment
657
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
657
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Washington elementary schools
#1,123 of 1,202
In district
#7 of 10
Cheney School District
About Sunset Elementary
Sunset Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Airway Heights, Washington, nestled within a large suburban area. The school serves students from pre-K through 5th grade and has an enrollment of 657 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers, Sunset Elementary focuses on providing a supportive educational environment.
Academically, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.7 out of 10 and it ranks as #2072 out of 2261 schools in Washington, placing it in the 8th percentile. On state assessments, 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 22% in Math, and 33% in Science. These scores indicate areas where Sunset Elementary is working to improve student performance.
Despite its current challenges, the school continues to strive for academic growth and development. Sunset Elementary is committed to offering a nurturing environment that supports students as they navigate their early education years. The community surrounding the school is part of a larger suburban setting with access to local amenities and resources.
Sunset Elementary serves a vital role in providing foundational learning experiences within its suburban context.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Sunset Elementary — Students at Sunset Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.3%
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 Sunset Elementary Compares
See how Sunset Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 19.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 19.1% (2024).
Location
12824 W 12th St, Airway Heights, WA 99001
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunset Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Browne Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Spokane), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nine Mile Falls Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Nine Mile Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hallett Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Medical Lake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Airway Heights, see our Airway Heights schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Anderson Elementary School Fairchild Afb | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Phil Snowdon Elementary Cheney | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Great Northern Elementary Spokane | 4.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Medical Lake Middle School Medical Lake | 6.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Windsor Elementary Spokane | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Three Springs High School Cheney | 7.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Westwood Middle School Spokane | 5.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Medical Lake High School Medical Lake | 6.4 mi | 6.1 |
| SPOKANE FALLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spokane | 5.6 mi | — |
| Hallett Elementary School Medical Lake | 6.8 mi | 8.1 |
| SPOKANE WINDSONG SCHOOL Spokane | 5.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Pauline Flett Middle School Spokane | 6.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Martin Hall Detention Ctr Medical Lake | 7.2 mi | — |
| Browne Elementary Spokane | 7.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Alternative Tamarack School Spokane | 6.6 mi | — |
| Indian Trail Elementary Spokane | 7.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Cheney Middle School Cheney | 9.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Nine Mile Falls Elementary Nine Mile Falls | 9.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Holmes Elementary Spokane | 6.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Westview Elementary Spokane | 7.5 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,182
Median Home Value
$281,100
Median Rent
$1,271/mo
Population
8,931
College Educated
17.7%
Homeownership
38.4%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
26.5%
Median Age
32.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunset Elementary has a median household income of $60,182. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $281,100, with a median rent of $1,271/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cascadia Elementary Ferndale, WA | 4.5 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway, WA | 4.5 |
| Fords Prairie Elementary Centralia, WA | 4.5 |
| Hazel Valley Elementary Burien, WA | 4.5 |
| Hidden Creek Elementary School Port Orchard, WA | 4.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary Mount Vernon, WA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunset Elementary
What grades does Sunset Elementary serve?
Sunset Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sunset Elementary?
Sunset Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 657 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunset Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunset Elementary rank in WA?
Sunset Elementary is ranked #1945 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Sunset Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunset Elementary has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Sunset Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunset Elementary has 22.0% math proficiency and 22.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunset Elementary a charter school?
No, Sunset Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunset Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sunset Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunset Elementary?
77.3% of students at Sunset 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 (4,268/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Airway Heights). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 657
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Spokane County
- Phone
- (509) 559-4600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cheney School District- District Enrollment
- 5,658
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,596
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
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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