The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in Science. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Finley Elementary
Finley Elementary serves students from preschool through fifth grade as a regular public school in the Finley School District, located on the outskirts of Kennewick. Kennewick is the most populous of the Tri-Cities and sits along the Columbia River with a diversified economy spanning manufacturing, food processing, retail, and services. It hosts offices for Amazon and Lamb Weston, and its population has been growing steadily. The school itself draws from a neighborhood that blends residential streets with the broader suburban and industrial fabric of the area.
State testing data for the 2024-25 school year shows that across math, English language arts, and science, the share of students meeting proficiency standards is below a quarter in every tested grade. In third-grade math and fifth-grade math, the proficiency rates are lower than the school’s own averages in ELA, and the fifth-grade science rate is similar to the ELA rates. Only one year of test results is available, so there is no trend to assess whether performance is improving or declining. The school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among districts in Benton County, a comparison set that includes six districts. A parent looking at these results will want to ask the school directly about academic supports and how instruction is being tailored to raise achievement.
The student body is majority Hispanic, with a substantial share of white students and small numbers of students who are American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, or of two or more races. Enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving these grades. A very high proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need. Data on special education and English learner status was not available; a parent may wish to inquire about those services directly.
Because Finley Elementary does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Discipline and chronic absenteeism data were also not provided. The school’s Title I status was not listed in the data, but given the income profile of the student body, it is likely that the school receives federal Title I funding to support low-income students.
Housing in the surrounding zip code is moderately priced relative to the state, with typical home values below the Washington benchmark and rents that, for a family at the national median household income, consume a modest share of earnings. The area has seen steady home value appreciation, and the broader Tri-Cities region is described as the fastest growing population in Washington State, with ongoing investment in civic facilities such as the Three Rivers Convention Center expansion. This growth context suggests that the neighborhood around Finley Elementary is part of a region that is adding families and economic activity, though the school’s own performance numbers are low and the district did not report any recent parent-relevant changes from the last several years.
In short, Finley Elementary is a high-poverty elementary school serving a diverse student body in a growing part of the Tri-Cities. Academic proficiency rates are low across all subjects and grades tested, and the school ranks low among its county peers. Families considering this school may want to explore what specific interventions, tutoring, or enrichment programs are in place, and how the school supports students who are behind grade level. The available data is thin in several areas, including discipline and attendance, so direct conversations with the school and district would be valuable for a fuller picture.
See more original research from School Decision →