The top reported proficiency rate is 63% in Science. The lowest is 46% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elementary
Lincoln Elementary is one of four elementary schools in the Ellensburg School District, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet school. The school sits in a residential area of Ellensburg, a college town that is also the county seat of Kittitas County. Ellensburg is home to Central Washington University, and the city’s historic downtown is walkable and active, with a farmers market and regular street events. The local economy is anchored by the university, agriculture, and a new WinCo Foods distribution center under construction. The city has been growing, and the district opened a new elementary school in 2022 to keep pace with enrollment.
Lincoln Elementary enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population and small numbers of students from other racial and ethnic groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a mix of income levels. The school is a regular public elementary school, and it is one of four elementary schools in the Ellensburg School District.
On state assessments, Lincoln Elementary’s proficiency rates in English language arts and math sit in a middle range. In third grade, about half of students met the state standard in English language arts, and a slightly smaller share did so in math. Fourth-grade results were similar, with a modestly higher share proficient in both subjects. Fifth-grade English language arts results were comparable, while fifth-grade math proficiency was lower. Science, which is tested only in fifth grade, showed a stronger result, with a clear majority of students meeting the state standard. When compared with other schools in Kittitas County, Lincoln Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile among those with reported data. This is a solid position, though the comparison set is small and includes only a few districts.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, and staffing were not available in the provided information. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these areas.
Ellensburg itself is a growing college town. The city’s population has increased in recent years, and a new WinCo Foods distribution center under construction is expected to bring additional jobs. Housing values in the area are moderate relative to the state, and rents are below the national average, making the community more accessible than many parts of Washington. The historic downtown is walkable and hosts a farmers market and festivals. Central Washington University is a major employer and a defining presence in the town.
The Ellensburg School District has seen recent changes that matter for families. A new elementary school, Ida Nason Aronica, opened in 2022, and attendance boundaries were redrawn at that time, so which elementary school a child attends depends on where a family lives. A capital bond for facility upgrades failed in early 2024, leaving some infrastructure projects unfunded. Voters did approve a replacement operations levy in 2022 that runs through 2026, supporting staffing and programs beyond what state funding covers. Families moving into the district should be aware that a future bond measure may appear on the ballot.
Lincoln Elementary itself is a neighborhood school in a growing college town. Its test results are in a middle range, with science as a relative bright spot. The school serves a diverse-by-income student body, and the district has recently added capacity and adjusted boundaries. For a family looking at Ellensburg, Lincoln Elementary represents a solid, mid-range option within a district that is actively managing growth and facility needs.
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