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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.9%
Math vs. State Avg+19.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.5 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,430

Thornton Creek Elementary School — Students at Thornton Creek Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 74.0%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
84%
2022
ELA
73%
2024
Math
71.2%
ELA
71.7%

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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
84th percentile in WA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
90 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (5,803/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seattle). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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