The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in Science. The lowest is 55% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Kent Prairie Elementary
Kent Prairie Elementary serves the Arlington area in Snohomish County as a regular public school for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is part of the Arlington School District, which serves the city of Arlington, a community that has seen substantial growth in recent decades. Arlington has transitioned from a timber and agriculture economy to a service-based one, with a notable Amazon distribution center near the municipal airport and the planned Cascade Industrial Center between Arlington and Marysville driving local employment. The city’s character is a mix of suburban residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and a traditional downtown, reflecting its growth since the 1980s.
The most recent state assessment data for Kent Prairie Elementary comes from the 2024-25 school year. In math, the share of students meeting proficiency standards was moderately strong in third grade, notably lower in fourth grade, and then improved in fifth grade, landing at an overall level that is above the midpoint when compared with other schools across Snohomish County. In English language arts, the pattern was more variable: third and fourth grade proficiency rates were more modest, while fifth graders posted a substantially higher rate. In science, which is tested only at the fifth-grade level, the proficiency rate was solid. The school’s overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades sits above the midpoint among districts in Snohomish County, though the single year of available data means there is no trend to examine. A parent may want to ask the school about how these scores have changed over time and what supports are in place for the grade levels where performance dips.
Enrollment at Kent Prairie is well over 600 students, making it one of the larger elementary schools in the district for its grade span. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population and smaller shares of students who are Asian, Black, Native American, Pacific Islander, or of two or more races. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population with notable economic need. Data on the share of students with individualized education programs or English learner status were not available in this report, which is a gap a parent may want to follow up on directly with the school.
The housing market in the Arlington area is expensive. Home values sit well above the national median and are on par with the state average. Rents, while somewhat more moderate than mortgages, still consume a significant portion of a typical household budget. This context matters for families moving to the area: the cost of living is a real factor to weigh against the value of the school.
The Arlington School District recently adopted a new five-year Strategic Plan with goals around student achievement, whole-child wellness, community engagement, and staff excellence. The district is also in the process of adopting new elementary English language arts and K-12 science curricula, which will shape what students at Kent Prairie learn in reading, writing, and science for years to come. In early 2024, voters narrowly approved a technology replacement levy that funds student devices, classroom technology, and STEM resources through 2028, though the close vote suggests some community tension around school funding.
For a parent considering Kent Prairie Elementary, the picture is one of a large suburban school in a growing community, serving a economically diverse student body with a majority qualifying for meal assistance. Academic performance is mixed across grades and subjects, with overall proficiency above the county midpoint but not uniformly strong. The district is actively updating its curriculum and has a strategic plan in place, which offers some clarity about its direction. A parent would likely want to learn more about how the school supports students who are below proficiency in the early grades, and about the specific special education and English learner services available, since those data were not part of this profile.
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