The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 40% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Impact | Salish Sea Elementary
Impact | Salish Sea Elementary is a public charter school in Tukwila, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It opened in fall 2020 and is the only school in its charter district. Because it is a standalone elementary charter, there is no high school graduation rate or middle school data to report here—those measures simply do not apply to this grade band.
The school sits within a city shaped by highways, rail lines, and the Duwamish River. Tukwila is a commercial and industrial hub at the crossroads of two major interstates, with far more people working in the city than living there. It lacks a traditional downtown; the Southcenter Urban Center, anchored by the region's largest shopping complex, functions as the civic and retail core. Residential neighborhoods are scattered among warehouses, corporate datacenters, and auto-oriented arterials. Transit access is strong, with light rail, commuter rail, and Amtrak service, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is nearby. Tukwila was ranked the most ethnically diverse city in the Pacific Northwest in a Brown University study, and the student body at this school reflects that: a majority of students are Black, with sizable shares of Hispanic, Asian, and two-or-more-races students as well. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
The academic data comes from the 2024-25 Washington state assessments. In English language arts, the combined proficiency rate across third through fifth grade was below the midpoint that a parent might expect from a typical elementary school. Fourth graders performed better than third or fifth graders in that subject, but the overall picture is one where a majority of students are not yet reaching the proficient bar. In math, the pattern was similar across the grades, with proficiency rates declining as grade level increased, meaning third graders were more likely to be proficient than fifth graders. Science, which is tested only in fifth grade, showed a stronger result, with more than half of students meeting the standard. This is a single year of data with no trend line available, so it is not possible to say whether performance is improving or declining.
The school was established with a specific pedagogical model, described publicly as decolonized project-based learning with personalized learning plans. A parent considering this school should understand that it is not a traditional district school; it operates under the state's charter school law, which gives it autonomy over curriculum and operations. The district brief notes that this model has been in place since the school opened, and no major changes were reported in the last several years.
Housing costs in the area are close to the state average. Home values have been essentially flat or very slightly down, while rents have edged up. The national backdrop shows a 30-year fixed mortgage rate that has been fluctuating in the mid-six-percent range. For a family weighing schools, the housing market in Tukwila offers a mix of older single-family homes and newer multifamily developments, with the 19-story Airmark Apartments and Hotel Interurban being the most visible recent addition.
Supporting data for special populations, such as students with disabilities and English learners, was not available in the school's data. A parent who needs that information should ask the school directly. Discipline data and staffing ratios were also absent from this record, so those dimensions cannot be characterized here.
For a family looking for an elementary option that is small, non-traditional in its approach, and located in a diverse, transit-connected suburb south of Seattle, this school fits that description. The academic results are a soft spot against state averages, particularly in math, and any family considering enrollment should discuss with the school what supports are in place for students who are not yet at grade level. The school's charter status means it has the flexibility to adapt its program, but the first year of assessment data suggests there is room for growth in student outcomes.
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