The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Science. The lowest is 39% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson Elementary
Jefferson Elementary is a regular public school in Pullman, Washington, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Pullman School District, which covers the city. Pullman is a college town dominated by Washington State University, with a young population, a mix of residential neighborhoods and university campus, and a growing high-tech sector anchored by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. The city sits across four hills, with downtown in a valley. The school itself is located in a residential area, one of several elementary schools in the district.
The student body is modest in size. White students make up the largest share, followed by Hispanic students, with smaller groups of students who are Asian, Black, of two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. More than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a substantial portion of families have lower household incomes. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and the supports in place.
Jefferson Elementary’s academic performance on the state’s standardized assessments shows that in both math and English language arts, a modest share of students met state standards across grades three through five. In science, which is tested only in fifth grade, results were similar. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls below the midpoint when compared with other elementary schools within Whitman County districts. This is a soft spot in the school’s profile, and a parent looking into Jefferson may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are not yet at standard, what interventions are used, and whether proficiency trends have been moving in either direction. Only one year of testing data was available, so it is not possible to see a pattern of improvement or decline from this snapshot alone.
The district context matters for a family considering Jefferson. In February 2023, voters in the Pullman School District approved a bond to fund construction of a new elementary school, aimed at relieving overcrowding. That new school will affect attendance boundaries, class sizes, and facility conditions for years to come. In November 2023, voters also approved a capital projects levy for safety and security improvements, technology upgrades, and bus purchases. These investments suggest the district is actively addressing capacity and infrastructure, which is relevant to any family evaluating elementary options.
The locale brings a distinctive set of conditions. Pullman is defined by Washington State University, and Jefferson Elementary serves a community that includes university faculty and staff, as well as families employed by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and other high-tech and agricultural employers. The university presence shapes the town’s demographics and its pace. The housing market reflects a low homeownership rate, with a large student renter population, and property values and rents that are somewhat above national averages. The median household income in Pullman grew in recent years, but the town’s economy is closely tied to the university and the tech sector.
Several pieces of information that families often use to assess a school are missing from the available data. There are no figures on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, or staffing ratios. The school’s Title I status was not provided. No information about after-school programs, enrichment offerings, or specialized academic pathways was available. A parent would want to visit the school, speak with the principal, and learn about the school’s culture and day-to-day environment directly.
Jefferson Elementary is a neighborhood school in a university-town setting with a student body that reflects the broader Pullman community’s economic diversity. Its academic results are below the midpoint of comparable schools in the county, and families should expect to ask questions about how the school helps students catch up and stay on track. The district’s recent investments in new facilities and capital improvements may lead to changes in how the elementary schools are organized. For a family that values being in a vibrant college town with a mix of professional and academic families, Jefferson is one of several elementary options in the Pullman district, and the decision will likely hinge on the specific programs and supports a child needs.
See more original research from School Decision →