Excellent
#362 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 16% in state
Thornton Creek Elementary School
Elementary School · Seattle School District No. 1
7712 40th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seattle
#36 of 89
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#318 of 1,202
In district
#43 of 106
Seattle School District No. 1
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Thornton Creek Elementary School
Thornton Creek Elementary School serves 453 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as an alternative school in Seattle's 98115 neighborhood. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #89 out of 2,261 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile.
This achievement reflects in their academic score of 8.6 out of 10, with 73% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels. As an alternative school, Thornton Creek Elementary likely offers a unique educational approach that differs from traditional elementary programs, though it maintains the high academic standards evident in its performance metrics. The school's success may be supported by its location in an affluent, well-educated community where the median household income reaches $141,013 and 77% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
Thornton Creek Elementary is situated in North Seattle's Wedgwood neighborhood, an area characterized by tree-lined streets and family-friendly amenities, with median home values of $985,000 reflecting the desirability of this established residential community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Thornton Creek Elementary School — Students at Thornton Creek Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.2%
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: 6.9/10.
How Thornton Creek Elementary School Compares
See how Thornton Creek Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 71.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 71.9% (2024).
Location
7712 40th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornton Creek Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stephen Decatur Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is View Ridge Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sand Point Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Decatur Elementary School Seattle | 0.1 mi | 9.2 |
| CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Seattle | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| View Ridge Elementary School Seattle | 0.5 mi | 9.0 |
| Eckstein Middle School Seattle | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Wedgwood Elementary School Seattle | 0.7 mi | 8.4 |
| UNIVERSITY PREP Seattle | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Bryant Elementary School Seattle | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| SEATTLE WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL Seattle | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| SEATTLE WALDORF SCHOOL Seattle | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| John Rogers Elementary School Seattle | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Laurelhurst Elementary School Seattle | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Nathan Hale High School Seattle | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| VILLA ACADEMY Seattle | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Sand Point Elementary Seattle | 1.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Jane Addams Middle School Seattle | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Sacajawea Elementary School Seattle | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Roosevelt High School Seattle | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Seattle | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| PERKINS SCHOOL Seattle | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| ACADEMY FOR PRECISION LEARNING Seattle | 1.9 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 Thornton Creek 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 |
|---|---|
| Allen Elementary Bow, WA | 8.0 |
| Arbor Heights Elementary School Seattle, WA | 8.0 |
| Arcadia Elementary Deer Park, WA | 8.0 |
| Brewster Elementary School Brewster, WA | 8.0 |
| Camas Elementary Wapato, WA | 8.0 |
| Cathcart Elementary Snohomish, WA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornton Creek Elementary School
What grades does Thornton Creek Elementary School serve?
Thornton Creek Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thornton Creek Elementary School?
Thornton Creek Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornton Creek Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornton Creek Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thornton Creek Elementary School rank in WA?
Thornton Creek Elementary School is ranked #362 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Thornton Creek Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornton Creek Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Thornton Creek Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornton Creek Elementary School has 72.0% math proficiency and 74.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thornton Creek Elementary School a charter school?
No, Thornton Creek Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thornton Creek Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Thornton Creek Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornton Creek Elementary School?
15.2% of students at Thornton Creek 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 453
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.2%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 252-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Seattle School District No. 1- District Enrollment
- 50,770
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,806
- District Rank
- #43 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 methodologyRelated reading
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