The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in Math. The lowest is 37% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ida Nason Aronica Elementary
Ida Nason Aronica Elementary is the newest elementary school in the Ellensburg School District, having opened its doors in fall 2022 to accommodate the city’s steady growth. Situated in Ellensburg, a college town that serves as the Kittitas County seat and home to Central Washington University, the school draws from a community that blends residential neighborhoods, a historic downtown, and an agricultural valley economy. The city’s population has been increasing, and a major WinCo Foods distribution center currently under construction is expected to bring additional employment and housing pressure — factors that families moving into the area will want to weigh alongside the district’s school choices.
The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population and smaller shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. More than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing Aronica in a higher-poverty context relative to some neighboring schools. This economic profile shapes the support resources the school can draw on and is something families may want to ask about when considering before- and after-school programs, staffing for intervention, and family engagement efforts.
On state assessments administered in the 2024–25 school year, the school’s proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science were below the midpoint of district elementary schools in Kittitas County. In a comparison of overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades, Aronica landed in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in the county. That said, single-year results from a school that just opened a few years ago should be read with some caution. The data provides a starting point, but a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what supports are in place and whether academic growth has been trending in any direction over the short time the school has been operating. Only one year of data was available, so trend analysis is not yet possible.
The school’s academic program is a regular elementary curriculum with no special magnet or charter designation. Information on course access, staffing ratios, and discipline rates was not provided, so families with specific concerns about class size, enrichment offerings, or school climate should reach out directly to the principal.
The Ellensburg School District context is relevant for any family considering the school. In February 2024, a capital bond that would have funded safety upgrades, roof replacements, and HVAC improvements across district facilities failed to reach the required supermajority. The district board has discussed options for a future bond measure, meaning voters may see another proposal soon. That same year, the district redrew elementary attendance boundaries when Aronica opened, so which school a child attends depends on the residential address — a key detail for families moving to Ellensburg. On the funding side, voters approved a replacement Educational Programs and Operations levy in 2022 that runs through 2026, supporting staffing, curriculum, and student services beyond basic state funding. That levy directly sustains the level of instruction and support families experience day to day.
Housing in Ellensburg is moderately priced relative to the state as a whole, with home values slightly below the Washington benchmark and rents that make up a manageable share of a typical household’s income. The city’s growth, spurred in part by the university and industrial development, means that the housing market may tighten further, affecting school assignment and commute patterns.
For a family, Ida Nason Aronica Elementary offers a newer building in a growing district with a college-town character and a mix of economic backgrounds. Academic proficiency rates are currently on the lower side among county peers, so a parent who prioritizes strong test scores may want to explore how the school is working to raise achievement and whether supplemental supports are available. The school’s small enrollment for an elementary and its recent opening mean it is still establishing its identity, and the district’s uncertain capital funding situation adds a layer of future planning for families considering a long-term commitment to the neighborhood.
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