The top reported proficiency rate is 57% in Science. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Sacajawea Elementary
Sacajawea Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Richland, within the Richland School District. It is a regular public school, and based on the available data, it offers a mixed academic picture alongside a stable community setting.
The school’s state assessment results, from Washington’s Smarter Balanced tests for the 2024-25 school year, show a pattern that varies by grade and subject. In math, third and fourth graders had proficiency rates that were clearly below half, while fifth graders showed a stronger result—close to half of students meeting the bar. In English language arts, third and fourth graders again had lower proficiency, but fifth graders performed markedly better, with roughly two out of three students reaching proficiency. Science, tested only in fifth grade, saw a bit more than half of students scoring proficient. Because this is a single year of data, no trend is available; the school has only one reported data point for each subject, so a parent cannot tell from this information alone whether scores are improving or declining. The overall proficiency index across tested grades and subjects places Sacajawea slightly above the midpoint when compared with all districts in Benton County, meaning it sits in the middle of the pack among its county peers.
The student body is diverse in socioeconomic background. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a figure that exceeds half the enrollment. Racially and ethnically, the majority of students are white, with a large Hispanic minority making up about a quarter of the school, followed by smaller shares of students who are two or more races, Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native. The school serves a mid-sized elementary enrollment for its grade band. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about supports for those populations. The school is not a charter or magnet, and no Title I status was reported.
Richland itself is a city shaped by the Hanford nuclear site, which remains a major employer through environmental cleanup, though the local economy has diversified into technology, medicine, education, and transportation. It is a growing community, with steady population increase reported in recent years. The housing market reflects that growth: home values and rents are well above the national median, and the cost of living here is a factor for families considering the area. The suburb is predominantly car-oriented, with a riverfront area offering some walkable amenities. The school’s immediate neighborhood is residential, located in a part of town that mixes older homes with newer development.
No information was available about recent district-level changes, bond measures, or curriculum shifts. The district brief turned up no parent-relevant developments that would affect day-to-day experience, so a family should rely on the school’s own communications for any updates on programming or facilities.
For a parent evaluating Sacajawea, the key takeaway is a school that is broadly average within its county on academic measures but with noticeable variation across grade levels. The lower proficiency in early elementary grades is worth a conversation with the school about instructional approaches and intervention strategies. The stronger performance in fifth grade, particularly in reading, is a positive sign for the upper elementary years. The high share of students from lower-income households may mean additional resources or attention, but the school does not appear to be an outlier in any extreme direction. The community context is one of a growing, relatively affluent city with a strong federal employment base. For a family that values a typical suburban elementary experience with a solid but not standout academic record, Sacajawea fits that description. Parents who want more detail on special education or English learner services should expect to seek that directly from the school.
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