The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in Science. The lowest is 20% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson Lincoln Elementary
Jefferson Lincoln Elementary serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade in the city of Centralia, a small city in Lewis County situated along Interstate 5 roughly halfway between Seattle and Portland. Centralia has a historic downtown that revived as an antique and specialty shopping district, a community college, and a mix of residential and commercial areas. The economy has shifted from coal mining and lumber toward healthcare, education, retail, and logistics. The school is part of the Centralia School District, which oversees the area’s public schools.
The most recent state testing results from the 2024–25 school year show academic performance that is modest overall and places the school in the bottom quarter of elementary schools when compared with other districts in Lewis County. In math, proficiency was generally low across the grades tested, with a combined average that reflects this challenge. In English language arts, the percentage of students meeting standards was also limited, though there was some variation by grade: one grade level posted a somewhat higher rate than others. Science results, available only for fifth grade, were higher than the school’s math and ELA averages but still below the county’s typical performance. Because the testing data covers only a single year, there is no trend to assess. A parent may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are not yet at grade level and what academic interventions are in place.
The school’s enrollment is modest in size for an elementary serving kindergarten through sixth grade. The student body is economically diverse in the sense that a very large share of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic need. Racially and ethnically, the student population is nearly evenly split between Hispanic and White students, with small numbers of students identifying as two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Black. Information on the number of students with individualized education plans or English learner status was not available in the data we reviewed. That is a notable gap, as these populations often receive targeted support that families may want to know about.
The housing market in the immediate school area reflects a more affordable segment of the broader state market. Home values and rents are notably lower than the Washington state average, which means the community is relatively accessible for families seeking to live within the district. The broader Centralia area has experienced steady but moderate population growth, with the city adding residents over recent decades. Housing stock has a low vacancy rate, suggesting a reasonably tight market. The economic context includes typical unemployment rates near the national average and median household incomes below the national figure, consistent with the high share of students receiving meal assistance.
The Centralia School District introduced a renewable energy vehicle and infrastructure technician training program in 2024, partnering with Lewis County Transit and funded by state grants. This career pathway, known as REVIT, is designed to give students early exposure to green energy fields and is planned to expand to other districts. While this initiative primarily serves older students, it signals the district’s attention to career and technical education, which could become relevant for Jefferson Lincoln families as their children move into middle and high school.
For families considering Jefferson Lincoln, the school offers a standard elementary program in a community with a small-city feel and a cost of living below many parts of Washington. The academics are a soft spot, with proficiency in math and reading that is lower than most other elementary schools in the county. A parent will want to investigate what instructional supports, tutoring, or enrichment are available and whether the school has seen any improvement over time. The high rate of economic need suggests the school may have access to federal Title I resources, but the specific Title I designation was not provided in the data we received. The peer environment is one of notable economic and racial diversity, with a student body that reflects the changing demographics of Centralia itself.
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