The top reported proficiency rate is 93% in Science. The lowest is 80% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Franklin Elementary
Franklin Elementary serves students from preschool through fifth grade in Pullman, a university town shaped by Washington State University’s presence and a growing high-tech sector anchored by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. As a regular public school within the Pullman School District, it sits in a community where the university, agricultural heritage, and tech industry create a blend of family-oriented residential neighborhoods and a transient student population. The school itself occupies a modest footprint on the southeastern side of town, and its enrollment is small enough that families often know one another.
Academically, Franklin Elementary posts strong results that place its overall proficiency index in the top quarter of all districts in Whitman County. Across the tested grades, math and English language arts scores are consistently high, and the fifth-grade science results are particularly strong. This pattern suggests that the school provides a solid academic foundation from the early years through the upper elementary grades. Parents considering Franklin will find a focus on core academics with reliable outcomes, though no data on English learner or special education populations were available in the reviewed records, so families with children who have specific learning needs may wish to ask the school directly about its support services.
The student body is diverse in background, with families from a range of racial and ethnic identities represented, while the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals is modest relative to many public schools nationwide. That economic context fits Pullman’s housing and income profile: home values in the area sit somewhat below the state median, and rents have been rising, but the overall affordability compared to larger Washington cities makes it possible for many middle-income households to buy a home. The town’s character as a college town means a large renter population, but neighborhoods around Franklin tend to be quieter residential areas on the city’s hills.
Franklin Elementary does not extend beyond fifth grade, so there is no graduation rate or high school course access to consider. The school’s size and grade span mean that children will eventually move on to Lincoln Middle School and Pullman High School, both part of the same district.
The district has made notable investments in facilities and safety. In a recent bond election, voters approved funding for a new elementary school to address overcrowding, and a capital projects levy passed that will upgrade security, technology, and bus transportation. For families entering the district now, these changes may affect attendance boundaries or the age of the building their child attends. The district’s broader trajectory is one of measured growth, supported by the university’s stability and the local tech economy.
In short, Franklin Elementary offers a consistently strong academic experience for elementary-age children in a small, community-oriented setting within a college town that balances academic and commercial vitality. Test results indicate that students leave fifth grade well prepared for middle school, and the district is actively investing in its infrastructure. For a parent weighing schools in Pullman, Franklin stands out as a dependable choice with clear academic strengths, though the absence of certain specialized program data means a direct conversation with the school would fill in any remaining questions about supports for individual learners.
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