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Very Good

#481 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 22% in state

Sunset Primary

Elementary School · University Place School District

4523 97TH AVE W, University Place, WA 98466

Enrollment

545

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#481 of 2,228

In University Place

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

University Place School District

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Sunset Primary

7.9/10

Elementary School in University Place · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Chambers Elementary

7.7/10

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

Curtis Junior High

7.0/10

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

About Sunset Primary

Sunset Primary is a public elementary school in University Place, WA, part of University Place School District. Sunset Primary serves approximately 545 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunset Primary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #481 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Sunset Primary show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.1
  • WA avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.7% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.3% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+10.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment6.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,994
Chronic Absenteeism19.6%

Sunset Primary — Students at Sunset Primary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 71.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.3% (2024 SBA)

Based on 30 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
62.7%
ELA
57.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.

How Sunset Primary Compares

See how Sunset Primary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
79th percentile in WA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.6%

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

4523 97TH AVE W, University Place, WA 98466

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunset Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. University Place Primary (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby University Pla), which scores notably higher. Another option is Geiger Montessori School (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Chambers Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby University Pla), with a very similar rating. For more schools in University Place, see our University Place schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Chambers Elementary University Pla 0.6 mi 7.7
Curtis Junior High University Place 0.8 mi 7.0
Curtis Senior High University Place 0.8 mi 7.4
Narrows View Intermediate University Pla 1.1 mi 8.6
University Place Primary University Pla 1.4 mi 9.3
Drum Intermediate University Pla 1.1 mi 8.2
CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY Tacoma 1.3 mi 7.7
Evergreen Primary University Place 1.5 mi 7.5
Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood 2.1 mi 5.9
Firwood Steilacoom 2.3 mi 7.1
Transition Day Students Lakewood 2.3 mi
Oak Grove Lakewood 2.4 mi
MONTESSORI IN MOTION University Place 2.0 mi
Oakridge Group Home Lakewood 2.5 mi
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place 1.8 mi 6.0
Steilacoom High Steilacoom 2.5 mi 5.4
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood 2.4 mi 2.9
Custer Elementary School Lakewood 2.6 mi 6.0
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 2.7 mi 5.3
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 3.0 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98466 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,598

Median Home Value

$564,400

Median Rent

$1,724/mo

Population

30,622

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

53%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

38.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bailey Gatzert Elementary School Seattle, WA 7.9
Clear Creek Elementary School Silverdale, WA 7.9
Clyde Hill Elementary Bellevue, WA 7.9
Coupeville Elementary School Coupeville, WA 7.9
Gregory Heights Elementary Burien, WA 7.9
Hallett Elementary School Medical Lake, WA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunset Primary

What grades does Sunset Primary serve?

Sunset Primary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Sunset Primary?

Sunset Primary has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset Primary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunset Primary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunset Primary rank in WA?

Sunset Primary ranks #481 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Sunset Primary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunset Primary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Sunset Primary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunset Primary has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Sunset Primary a charter school?

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

Is Sunset Primary a Title I school?

No, Sunset Primary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunset Primary?

39.6% of students at Sunset Primary 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.6%

District

University Place School District
District Enrollment
5,606
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,994
District Rank
#4 of 8

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