The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in English language arts. The lowest is 57% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Mcdonald Elementary School
McDonald Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in Spokane Valley, a large suburban city east of Spokane. The school is part of the Central Valley School District, which operates several dozen schools across the area. The district funds its operations through a mix of state and federal revenue and a local Educational Programs and Operations levy that supports maintenance and operational costs rather than new construction.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, McDonald Elementary posted results that place it in the top quartile of districts in Spokane County when looking at overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. This is a strength worth noting. In English language arts, proficiency rates improved as students moved through the grades, with the strongest showing at fifth grade. Math proficiency was more varied, with third grade performing above the other two tested grades, while fourth and fifth grade math results were closer to the middle range. In science, only fifth grade is tested, and a clear majority of students met the proficiency bar. Because only one year of testing data was available, it is not possible to assess whether performance is trending upward or downward. A parent wanting to understand consistency over time would have a clearer picture with additional years of results.
The student body is predominantly white, with the largest minority groups being Hispanic students and students who identify as two or more races. A small number of American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students are also enrolled. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is substantial, reflecting a community with a mix of household incomes. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, so a parent with a child in either category would want to ask the school directly about those supports.
Spokane Valley is an auto-oriented suburb without a traditional downtown core, formed from a collection of previously unincorporated communities. The city has extensive retail development, including a large mall and several auto dealerships, and hosts civic facilities like the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center and Avista Stadium. Housing values in the school's ZIP code are below the state average, and rents are moderate. The area continues to see growth, with room for residential and commercial expansion. The school is located in a residential part of the valley, and its attendance zone draws from nearby neighborhoods.
The district itself operates a large system with a general fund budget commensurate with its size. McDonald Elementary is one of many elementary schools in the district, and its academic profile—especially the strong ELA outcomes and science results—stands out relative to other schools in the county. The math results, while not weak, are less consistent, particularly at the upper elementary grades. A parent considering this school would find a learning environment where a majority of students are meeting grade-level expectations in reading and writing, and where science instruction appears to be effective. The math pattern may warrant a conversation with the principal about how the school supports students who are not yet proficient and how it differentiates instruction for those who are.
McDonald Elementary does not offer high school programs or a graduation rate because it serves only elementary grades, so those metrics are not applicable. No information was available about course access, discipline rates, or staffing ratios, so a parent seeking that detail would need to reach out to the school. The school website was not included in the data provided, but it would typically be the best place to find specifics on enrichment programs, special education services, and the school's approach to instruction.
See more original research from School Decision →