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Excellent

#109 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 5% in state

West Mercer Elementary

Elementary School · Mercer Island School District

4141 81st Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Enrollment

410

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mercer Island

#3 of 6

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#105 of 1,202

In district

#3 of 6

Mercer Island School District

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About West Mercer Elementary

West Mercer Elementary serves 410 students in kindergarten through fifth grade on Mercer Island, Washington. The school earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — driven by a 9.6 academic score and an 8.9 growth score. Those numbers put West Mercer in rare company: it ranks 58th among 2,225 public schools statewide, outperforming 97% of Washington schools overall.

Within the elementary tier, the standing holds. West Mercer sits 55th among 1,202 elementary schools in Washington — a consistent top-5% position across both the broad and narrow comparisons. On Mercer Island itself, it places third among six public schools.

A student-teacher ratio of 16.4 to 1 keeps class sizes manageable for an elementary campus. The school operates as a regular public school, drawing from the local district without selective admissions. A 9.6 academic score indicates strong proficiency outcomes, while the 8.9 growth score signals that students are making meaningful year-over-year gains — not simply arriving with advantages, but actively building on them.

For families weighing elementary options, West Mercer delivers results that hold up against nearly every school in the state.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84%
Math vs. State Avg+31.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+35.6 pts
Overall Proficiency84%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,431

West Mercer Elementary — Students at West Mercer Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 82.7%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 85.1%
School
State
50.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
81%
ELA
89%
2022
ELA
86%
2024
Math
83.1%
ELA
83.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.9/10.

How West Mercer Elementary Compares

See how West Mercer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
95th percentile in WA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

4141 81st Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Mercer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Island Park Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Northwood Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lakeridge Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mercer Island, see our Mercer Island schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwood Elementary School Mercer Island 0.4 mi 9.1
ST MONICA SCHOOL Mercer Island 0.4 mi 6.7
EARLY WORLD MONTESSORI Mercer Island 0.8 mi
Mercer Island High School Mercer Island 0.6 mi 7.2
NORTHWEST YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL Mercer Island 1.1 mi 6.9
PRIVETT ACADEMY Mercer Island 1.0 mi
CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER LLC Mercer Island 1.3 mi
Island Park Elementary Mercer Island 1.3 mi 9.2
YELLOW WOOD ACADEMY Mercer Island 1.1 mi 8.2
FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PUGET SOUND Mercer Island 1.2 mi 7.8
Islander Middle School Mercer Island 2.4 mi 6.5
Enatai Elementary School Bellevue 2.0 mi 6.8
Lakeridge Elementary School Mercer Island 2.7 mi 8.4
TORAH ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Seattle 2.1 mi
Graham Hill Elementary School Seattle 2.5 mi 5.0
Medina Elementary School Medina 3.1 mi 8.3
Bellevue High School Bellevue 2.7 mi 7.5
DERECH EMUNAH Seattle 2.6 mi
DERECH EMUNAH DBA SEATTLE JEWISH GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Seattle 2.6 mi
Orca K-8 School Seattle 2.4 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$202,359

Median Home Value

$1,884,200

Median Rent

$2,464/mo

Population

25,282

College Educated

78.8%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

45.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Mercer Elementary has a median household income of $202,359. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,884,200, with a median rent of $2,464/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% 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
Apollo Elementary Renton, WA 8.8
Bemiss Elementary Spokane, WA 8.8
Cascade View Elementary School Snoqualmie, WA 8.8
Catharine Blaine K-8 School Seattle, WA 8.8
Chambers Elementary University Pla, WA 8.8
Edwin R Opstad Elementary North Bend, WA 8.8

Compare West Mercer Elementary with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Mercer Elementary

What grades does West Mercer Elementary serve?

West Mercer Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend West Mercer Elementary?

West Mercer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 410 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Mercer Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at West Mercer Elementary is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Mercer Elementary rank in WA?

West Mercer Elementary is ranked #109 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is West Mercer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

West Mercer Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 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 West Mercer Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Mercer Elementary has 82.7% math proficiency and 85.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Mercer Elementary a charter school?

No, West Mercer Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Mercer Elementary a Title I school?

No, West Mercer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Mercer Elementary?

9.0% of students at West Mercer 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,278/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Compare This School

How does West Mercer Elementary stack up?

Island Park Elementary
9.2

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
410
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
9.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mercer Island School District
District Enrollment
3,975
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,288
District Rank
#3 of 6

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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