The top reported proficiency rate is 59% in Science. The lowest is 38% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Custer Elementary School
Custer Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Clover Park School District in Lakewood, Washington. The school sits within a suburban city that is home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and military families form a visible presence in the community. Lakewood has no traditional downtown; commerce and civic life are spread across shopping centers, an International District along South Tacoma Way, and the Fort Steilacoom area. The city is car-oriented, with mid-century subdivisions and strip commercial development, though parks and lakes provide natural gathering spaces.
The student body at Custer is diverse. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic reality of many families in the area. The racial and ethnic makeup is mixed, with no single group forming an outright majority. Hispanic students and white students each make up a notable portion of the school, along with students who identify as two or more races, Black students, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students, and Asian students. The school serves a wide range of young learners, and the enrollment in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten is higher than in the upper elementary grades, which is typical for a school with a large early childhood program.
State testing results from the most recent year show a mixed picture. In English language arts, performance varied by grade level. Third-grade proficiency was below the midpoint of what the state measures, and fourth-grade proficiency was in a similar range. Fifth-grade students, however, performed at a level that was clearly stronger, with a substantial majority meeting the state standard. In math, the pattern was different. Third-grade proficiency was moderate, fifth-grade was similar, but fourth-grade math proficiency was notably lower. In science, which is tested only in fifth grade, the school's result was solid, with a majority of students meeting the standard. When the school's overall performance across all tested subjects and grades is compared to other districts in Pierce County, it falls below the midpoint. This comparison set includes the district's own data, and the position suggests room for growth, particularly in the earlier elementary grades and in math.
The multi-year academic trend data offers only a single year of results, so there is no way to know whether these figures represent an improvement or a decline from prior years. A parent considering this school may want to ask the school or district for historical data to understand the trajectory.
The school offers pre-kindergarten, which can be a meaningful support for working families and for early childhood development. The district did not have publicly reported information on recent curriculum changes, referendums, or property tax measures that would affect the school, so a family moving to the area may want to contact the district directly for updates on investments or program changes.
Housing in the area around the school reflects the broader Lakewood market. Home values are below the statewide median but close to the national median, and rents have risen in the past year faster than the national average. The monthly cost of renting is lower than the estimated mortgage payment on a comparable home, which gives a practical lens for families deciding whether to buy or rent. The city has developer incentives such as no local business and occupation tax and no development impact fees outside of downtown traffic mitigation, which points to an active effort to attract growth along the Interstate 5 corridor.
Lakewood's economy is dominated by Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and the school sees the turnover that comes with military reassignments. Western State Hospital, Clover Park School District itself, Pierce Transit, and a range of healthcare and retail employers are also major local employers. The city has a substantial share of renter-occupied housing and a multifamily vacancy rate that suggests a reasonably tight rental market.
For a family, this school presents a straightforward choice. It is a regular public elementary school in a suburban military-adjacent city, serving a high-poverty and diverse student population. The academic performance is uneven, with English language arts in fifth grade standing out as a relative bright spot and fourth-grade math as a soft spot that a parent may want to look into further with the school. The absence of multi-year data makes it hard to assess whether the school is trending in a particular direction. Families who value a diverse student body, pre-kindergarten access, and a setting shaped by the military community will find a fit here. Those primarily looking for high proficiency rates across all grade levels may want to consider the school's performance carefully and see if it aligns with their expectations.
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