The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Science. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Belfair Elementary
Belfair Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in the North Mason School District. It is the only elementary school within the district’s boundaries that sits in the unincorporated community of Belfair itself, a car-dependent service hub at the mouth of the Union River on Hood Canal. The school is located across from the Mary E. Theler Community Center and the seasonal farmers market, placing it near one of the area’s few civic gathering points. Belfair’s commercial life runs along State Route 3, a highway corridor lined with grocery stores, restaurants, and professional offices. Most residents commute by car, and the community’s population has grown steadily in recent years, with property values rising and new residents drawn by relative affordability compared to other parts of Washington.
The school enrolls a midsized student body for an elementary school, with about half of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, a substantial share that signals the community’s economic mix. The student population is majority white, with a sizable Hispanic cohort and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. The data does not include counts of students receiving special education services or English learner support, so a parent seeking that information would need to ask the school directly.
On state assessments for the most recent school year, Belfair Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits above the midpoint among Mason County districts, a position that suggests solid but not exceptional performance relative to nearby schools. Within the school, results vary by subject and grade. In mathematics, the share of students meeting state standards runs below a majority at every tested grade level, a pattern that parents may want to discuss with the school to understand the specific supports in place. English language arts proficiency is higher but still falls short of a majority, with results that hover in a similar band across third through fifth grade. Science, tested only in fifth grade, posts the strongest showing of the three subjects, with close to half of students reaching proficiency. Because only one year of data is available, there is no trend to assess; whether these results represent an improvement or a decline relative to prior years is not reported.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to consider. Discipline data, chronic absenteeism, and course access information are also absent from the available records, making it difficult to gauge school climate or the breadth of enrichment offerings from this profile alone. Belfair Elementary is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and the district has no recent major changes publicly reported, such as bond measures or curriculum overhauls, that would alter the near-term landscape for families.
The surrounding community adds some context for families considering Belfair. The Theler Wetlands offer miles of boardwalks and nature trails, and Belfair State Park provides camping and waterfront access on Hood Canal. The Timberland Regional Library operates a branch in town, and public transit is available through Mason County Transportation. The area sees a seasonal influx of tourists in summer, but the year-round residential feel is quiet and rural. Housing costs, while rising, remain below the state median, which may appeal to families seeking a lower-cost entry point into western Washington’s housing market.
For a family weighing this school, the key considerations are the incomplete picture of student support services, the middling state test results that are slightly stronger than the local average but still below a majority at standard, and the lack of trend data to show direction. A parent whose priority is a regular elementary school in a growing, semi-rural community with access to outdoor recreation will find Belfair Elementary a straightforward option. A parent looking for detailed data on special education, English learner programs, or school discipline should plan to follow up with the school directly, as those metrics are not reported here.
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