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C+
Schools in Elk Plain · Bethel School District

Elk Plain’s public schools score below 57% of Washington districts on tests and graduation

33% of students in Elk Plain’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Elk Plain, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.

#197of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
49%
▼ 4 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 7 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 5 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.2K
▼ 12% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.4
WA 17.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
5,111 students on the public path
In brief

Elk Plain’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 241 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Elk Plain’s, its schools beat 28%, lower than their 43% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,236 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Four elementary schools, then three middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Elk Plain’s grade

B− Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 43% of Washington school districts, #197 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 43%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (241)Better than 28%
C+B−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 10,454 test results and a graduating class of 1,528 could put Elk Plain anywhere from C+ to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Elk Plain’s students in the tested grades sat them (10,437 in math, 10,470 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Elk Plain, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–54 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–83 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–12Bethel High SchoolBethel School DistrictNo scores

Elk Plain’s public schools are run by Bethel School District, which also serves Roy. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Bethel School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 35 schools · 21,450 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 18.4 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$16,236WA $18,444 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading49%
State average 53.4% · 10470 students tested
Math33%
State average 40.1% · 10437 students tested

Elk Plain vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Elk Plain’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Elk PlainC+Bethel

Every school in Elk Plain

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Elk Plainby address
Shining Mountain Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Spanaway
613 students16:1Rate it →
Elk Plain School of Choice
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Spanaway
574 students17:1Rate it →
Centennial Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Graham
540 students15:1Rate it →
Rocky Ridge Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Graham
430 students15:1Rate it →
Bethel Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Spanaway
661 students21:1Rate it →
Cougar Mountain Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Graham
605 students21:1Rate it →
Bethel High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Spanaway
1,688 students22:1Rate it →

Questions about Elk Plain’s schools

Are Elk Plain’s schools good?

On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Elk Plain children attend score below 57% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #197 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Elk Plain in?

Bethel School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 21,450 students in 35 schools (2024–25).

Where do Elk Plain kids go to high school?

Bethel High School in Spanaway, with 1,688 students.

What is Elk Plain’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in Bethel School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Elk Plain spend per student?

$16,236 in Bethel School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Elk Plain families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Elk Plain → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Washington. Stars are from neighbors.