The top reported proficiency rate is 68% in Science. The lowest is 55% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kitsap Lake Elementary
Kitsap Lake Elementary is a regular public school in the Bremerton School District serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits in a city shaped by the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and a revitalizing downtown waterfront. The school’s student body is small for an elementary, with enrollment across the elementary grades spread fairly evenly. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial and ethnic makeup is majority white, with a notable Hispanic population and a smaller but present share of students who identify with two or more races; Asian, Black, and other groups each make up modest shares.
Academically, the school’s performance on state assessments is a mixed picture. On the strongest showing, fifth graders reached proficiency in both English language arts and science at rates that stand out within the school. Fourth and fifth graders in ELA also posted solid proficiency. Third grade ELA was a soft spot, where proficiency lagged notably behind the upper grades. In math, performance climbed steadily with each grade level; third graders showed moderate proficiency, fourth graders fell below that mark, and fifth graders posted the school’s highest math proficiency. For the grades and subjects tested, the school’s combined proficiency across all subjects placed it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Kitsap County, a strong showing for the area. That countywide comparison is based on a proficiency index that averages results across tested grades and subjects, so the higher fifth-grade scores pull the overall number up. A parent looking at the grade-level detail will see that early elementary math, and third grade reading in particular, are areas where results are notably lower, and it would be reasonable to ask the school what supports are in place for those early grades.
Only one year of state testing data was available, so there is no trend to assess whether performance is moving up or down. The school serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to evaluate and no high school outcomes to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, and staffing were also not available in this profile. These gaps mean a family considering Kitsap Lake may want to ask the school or district directly about attendance patterns, class sizes, and how the school supports students who are struggling.
Housing in the area is expensive by national standards, with home values rising modestly and rents climbing slightly. The mortgage payment on a median-priced home, after a typical down payment, is higher than the median rent, making renting the more affordable option in the current market. The national unemployment rate suggests a stable economy, though the local economic picture is dominated by the naval shipyard and base.
The Bremerton School District passed a capital bond in early 2024, one of only a handful of Washington districts to do so in that election, funding major facility projects including rebuilt schools and a new sports complex. The district also offers Spanish dual language immersion for elementary grades, a program that may appeal to families seeking a bilingual pathway. Because Kitsap Lake is one of several elementary schools in the district, and the dual language program may be offered at selected schools, a family interested in that option should confirm where it is housed.
Kitsap Lake Elementary is a school with clear academic strengths in upper elementary, particularly in fifth grade reading and science, and a countywide proficiency profile that is strong. The early grade numbers, especially third grade reading and fourth grade math, give a parent reason to inquire about curriculum and interventions. The school’s modest size, mix of economic backgrounds, and location in a city with a distinctive naval and waterfront character make it part of a community where housing costs are high and the district is actively investing in its facilities.
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