Needs Improvement
#2178 of 2,228 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
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
657
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#2,178 of 2,228
In district
#10 of 10
Cheney School District
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Sunset Elementary
Elementary School in Airway Heights · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Michael Anderson Elementary School
3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Phil Snowdon Elementary
4.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sunset Elementary
Sunset Elementary is a public elementary school in Airway Heights, WA, part of Cheney School District. Sunset Elementary serves approximately 657 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunset Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,178 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Sunset Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.4
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at Sunset 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sunset Elementary — Students at Sunset Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
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 32 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: 2.3/10.
How Sunset Elementary Compares
See how Sunset Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Westview Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Spokane), which scores notably higher. Another option is Windsor Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Spokane), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Michael Anderson Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Fairchild Afb), 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 | 8.2 |
| Phil Snowdon Elementary Cheney | 4.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Great Northern Elementary Spokane | 4.3 mi | 3.1 |
| Medical Lake Middle School Medical Lake | 6.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Windsor Elementary Spokane | 5.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Three Springs High School Cheney | 7.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Westwood Middle School Spokane | 5.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Medical Lake High School Medical Lake | 6.4 mi | 5.7 |
| SPOKANE FALLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spokane | 5.6 mi | — |
| Hallett Elementary School Medical Lake | 6.8 mi | 7.9 |
| SPOKANE WINDSONG SCHOOL Spokane | 5.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Pauline Flett Middle School Spokane | 6.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Martin Hall Detention Ctr Medical Lake | 7.2 mi | — |
| Browne Elementary Spokane | 7.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Alternative Tamarack School Spokane | 6.6 mi | — |
| Indian Trail Elementary Spokane | 7.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Cheney Middle School Cheney | 9.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Nine Mile Falls Elementary Nine Mile Falls | 9.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Holmes Elementary Spokane | 6.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Westview Elementary Spokane | 7.5 mi | 8.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mirror Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA | 3.2 |
| East Hill Elementary School Kent, WA | 3.3 |
| Mark Twain Elementary School Federal Way, WA | 3.3 |
| Lakewood Elementary School N. Lakewood, WA | 3.1 |
| Panther Lake Elementary School Federal Way, WA | 3.1 |
| Sunset Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 3.1 |
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 ranks #2,178 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Sunset Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunset Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Sunset Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunset Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.4%
- Phone
- (509) 559-4600
Resources & Links
District
Cheney School District- District Enrollment
- 5,658
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,596
- District Rank
- #10 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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