The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in English language arts. The lowest is 39% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Campbell Hill Elementary School
Campbell Hill Elementary School is a regular public school in the city of Seattle, operated by the Renton School District. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school sits in the southern part of the city, and its attendance area falls within the high-cost housing market that defines much of the Seattle region. Homes in the school’s zip code carry a value well above the national typical, and rents have been rising.
The school is medium-sized for an elementary school in its district. Its student body is racially and ethnically diverse. The largest groups are Black students, followed by Hispanic students and Asian students. White students represent a very small share of enrollment. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of lower household income that is common in this part of the county.
State test results are available for the most recent school year, and they show a mixed picture across grades and subjects. In English language arts, the share of students meeting proficiency rises notably as students progress: it is low in third grade, then climbs to about half of fourth graders and reaches a strong majority among fifth graders. In math, proficiency is more consistent across grades but lower overall; roughly two out of five students are proficient in each tested grade. In fifth-grade science, about half of students are proficient. Because only one year of testing data is available, it is not possible to say whether these results represent an improvement or a decline. Placed alongside other elementary schools in King County, Campbell Hill’s overall proficiency index sits below the midpoint of the comparison set. A parent looking at these results may want to ask the school about its approach to early reading instruction and math support, especially given the gap in third-grade literacy.
The school itself is a neighborhood elementary with no specialized magnet or charter status. It does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism and discipline was not available in the current record. Program offerings, such as music, art, or after-school activities, were also not listed in the provided information, so a family interested in enrichment beyond the core curriculum would need to contact the school directly.
The district that runs Campbell Hill, Renton School District, has been in the middle of several changes that affect the wider community. Voters approved a major bond in early 2022 that funds construction and renovation across the district, including a new elementary school in the Fairwood area scheduled to open in fall 2026. The district has also redesigned its high school program into career-themed academies, though that initiative does not yet affect elementary schools. These investments reflect a district that is growing and modernizing its facilities, which can influence school assignment boundaries and the overall property tax burden for residents.
Housing in the area is expensive. The typical home value in the school’s zip code is high even by King County standards, and mortgage payments relative to income are stretched. Rental costs have been increasing faster than the national average. For families renting, the typical monthly rent consumes a sizable share of median income. The local job market is shaped by the presence of major technology employers, Boeing, and the Port of Seattle, making it an area of relatively high wages but also high living costs.
Campbell Hill Elementary fits a family looking for a diverse, neighborhood-rooted elementary school in a part of Seattle served by Renton School District. Its student body is economically and racially diverse. The reading results suggest that the school has some success moving students toward proficiency by the upper elementary grades, though early literacy is an area where the school may be working to improve. The math proficiency is notably below the King County midpoint, which a parent may want to explore further with the principal or instructional staff. For a family who values a school that reflects the demographic diversity of the city and is willing to engage directly with the school about academic support, Campbell Hill is worth serious consideration.
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