The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in Math. The lowest is 40% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ilalko Elementary School
Ilalko Elementary School is a regular public school in Auburn, Washington, serving children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Auburn School District and draws its attendance from the surrounding residential neighborhoods of this mid-sized Seattle suburb. The school enrolls close to 500 students across the elementary grades, making it a fairly typical size for a PK-5 building in the area.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, Ilalko’s students posted proficiency rates that place the school below the midpoint among elementary schools in King County when looking at overall performance across tested subjects and grades. In math, roughly two out of five students met the state’s proficiency bar, with third and fourth graders showing somewhat higher rates than fifth graders. In English language arts, the pattern was similar: about two in five students were proficient, with fourth graders performing a bit above their peers in third and fifth grades. Fifth-grade science results came in at a comparable level, with roughly two in five students reaching proficiency. Because only a single year of assessment data is available, there is no trend to compare, so families should consider this a snapshot rather than a trajectory. The school’s proficiency rates are lower than the county median; parents curious about academic support and intervention programs may want to ask the school how it addresses this.
Ilalko serves a student body that is diverse across several dimensions. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by White students, then Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and students identifying with two or more races. A small number of American Indian or Alaska Native students also attend. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a high level of economic need in the school’s attendance zone. Data on special education enrollment and English learner status were not available, so a parent interested in those supports should inquire directly.
The school is located in the southern part of King County, in a community with a mix of older residential areas and large planned developments like Lakeland Hills, which includes its own elementary school. Auburn’s housing stock ranges from historic homes near the downtown core to newer subdivisions on the hillsides. Home values in the zip code are moderately high by national standards but have eased slightly in the past year; rents have also ticked down. The local housing market remains active, with homes typically spending about a month on the county level before going under contract. The city’s economy is anchored by Boeing’s large aerospace plant, the Muckleshoot Tribal Enterprises, and a regional medical center, giving the area a stable employment base.
The Auburn School District is currently guided by a five-year strategic plan running through 2027, which sets district-wide academic and operational priorities. At the same time, the district is undertaking major capital construction, with significant spending on school building and renovation projects that may affect school capacity and boundaries in the years ahead. Families should watch for updates on attendance boundary adjustments or facility changes that could impact Ilalko.
For a family considering Ilalko Elementary, the picture is one of a typical-sized neighborhood school serving a diverse and economically varied community, with academic results that are below the average for the county. The school does not offer specialized magnet or alternative programs. The broader district is investing in facilities and has a strategic plan in place, but the single year of assessment data makes it hard to gauge whether the school’s performance is improving or holding steady. Parents who value a close-to-home elementary experience with a mix of student backgrounds will find Ilalko fits that description, while those focused on high test scores may want to explore what academic supports the school provides.
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