The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 49% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Presidents Elementary
Presidents Elementary serves children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Arlington, a city that blends suburban residential neighborhoods with commercial and industrial areas. Historically rooted in timber and agriculture, Arlington has seen rapid growth since the 1980s and now includes a major Amazon distribution center near the municipal airport and the planned Cascade Industrial Center. The school itself sits on East Third Street, part of a district that has recently approved a technology replacement levy and adopted a five-year strategic plan emphasizing student achievement, whole-child wellness, and community engagement.
State testing data from the most recent school year gives a mixed but mostly solid picture of academic performance at Presidents Elementary. In English language arts, proficiency across tested grades fell in a consistent range, with roughly half to just over half of students meeting the standard. Math results showed a sharper variation: third and fourth graders performed comparably to their ELA peers, but fifth graders reached proficiency at a lower rate. Science results for fifth graders were in line with their ELA performance. Taking all tested subjects and grades together, the school’s overall proficiency places it above the midpoint among districts in Snohomish County, meaning it holds a stronger position relative to many neighboring districts.
The student body is moderately sized for an elementary school serving these grade levels. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a meaningful portion of families face economic challenges. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic representation and smaller shares of other groups. Data on special education identification and English learner status was not available in the provided information, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
A reader looking at the housing market around Presidents Elementary will find that home values in the area are above the state average and well above the national average, reflecting the broader Puget Sound region’s cost pressures. Rents are also elevated, and the gap between renting and owning is substantial. Arlington’s growth has brought new apartment construction in the Smokey Point area and ongoing development of industrial centers, which continues to shape the community.
At the district level, Arlington School District is undertaking several initiatives that affect Presidents Elementary. A technology levy narrowly approved by voters in early 2024 funds student devices, classroom technology, and STEM resources through 2028. The district’s new five-year strategic plan targets closing achievement gaps, expanding mental health supports, and strengthening community engagement. In addition, the district is in the process of adopting new elementary English language arts and K-12 science curricula, which will determine the materials and instructional approaches used at Presidents Elementary in coming years.
Because the school serves only early and intermediate grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was not available in the provided information. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it has no specialized designation that would place it outside standard accountability measures.
For families considering Presidents Elementary, the picture is one of a school situated in a growing, suburbanizing community with above-average home costs and a district actively working on curriculum updates and strategic priorities. Academic performance is broadly competitive within the county, with a notable drop in fifth-grade math that a parent may want to explore further with the school. The presence of a significant share of students from lower-income households suggests that the school likely has experience supporting a range of needs. The district’s recent levy and strategic plan signal an investment in technology and student well-being that may benefit current and incoming families.
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