The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in Science. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Holmes Elementary
Holmes Elementary is a regular public school in Spokane, Washington, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Spokane Public Schools, the city's main district. The school sits in a residential area of Spokane, a city that is the economic and cultural center of the Inland Northwest. Spokane has a historic downtown core along the Spokane River, a diversified economy anchored by healthcare, government, education, and logistics, and a modest growth rate. The district recently completed a major facility overhaul funded by a bond, opening three new middle schools that reshaped feeder patterns and capacity.
Holmes Elementary enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a substantial share of students identifying as two or more races and a smaller but present Hispanic population. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and its enrollment is moderate for an elementary school in this grade band.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year show that proficiency rates in math and English language arts are below the midpoint among districts in Spokane County. In math, proficiency rates across grades three, four, and five were all below the county median. In English language arts, the pattern was similar, with rates that were lower than the county median. Science results for fifth grade were also below the county median. The school's overall proficiency index, which averages performance across tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Spokane County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the specific academic supports in place.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing, and course access were not available. Information on the share of students with an individualized education program or who are English learners was also missing. These gaps mean a parent may want to ask the school directly about student support services and school climate.
Holmes Elementary is located in Spokane, a city with a genuine downtown core along the Spokane River, anchored by Riverfront Park and historic theaters. The city's economy has diversified from its historical base in mining, timber, and agriculture into healthcare, government, education, and logistics. Major employers include Fairchild Air Force Base, Providence Health Care, and Spokane Public Schools itself. Housing in the area is relatively affordable compared to western Washington, with home values and rents that are moderate. The city has seen modest population growth since the 2020 census.
The school is part of Spokane Public Schools, which recently completed a major facility overhaul funded by a bond, including three new middle schools that opened in recent years. This represents a lasting shift in the district's middle school configuration and capacity that families weigh when choosing where to live.
For a family considering Holmes Elementary, the picture is one of a school serving a high-need population in a mid-sized city with a diversified economy and relatively affordable housing. The academic proficiency rates are below the county median, and a parent would want to understand what academic interventions and supports are in place. The school's setting in Spokane offers access to the city's downtown core, parks, and cultural institutions, and the district has invested in new facilities at the middle school level. The school itself is a regular public elementary school with no special designation, and it serves a student body with a high level of economic need.
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