The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in Science. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Madison Elementary
Madison Elementary is a regular public school in Spokane, Washington, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Spokane School District, the city’s public system. The school sits in a residential neighborhood on the city’s northwest side. The broader community context matters here: Spokane is the second-most populous city in Washington and serves as the economic and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest, with an economy that has moved beyond its historical reliance on mining, timber, and agriculture into healthcare, government, education, and logistics. Housing in the area is notably more affordable than in the western part of the state, and the city’s downtown core along the Spokane River is anchored by Riverfront Park and a historic commercial district.
The school is modest in size for its grade band, with an enrollment that is small enough to feel neighborhood-scale. A substantial share of students come from low-income households, as indicated by the free-or-reduced-price lunch rate, which is well over two-thirds. The student body is predominantly white, with notable shares of Hispanic students and students who identify as two or more races, and smaller numbers of Asian, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students.
Academically, the most recent state assessment results offer a mixed picture, and parents should know that this is the only year of data available, so there is no trend to consider. In mathematics, proficiency rates varied significantly by grade level. For third graders, roughly half met the state standard. In fourth and fifth grades, the share of students who were proficient was lower, with the fourth-grade result being a particular soft spot. In English language arts, proficiency rates across third through fifth grades were all below half, clustering near two-fifths in most grades. In fifth-grade science, just under half of students met the state bar. When the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades is placed alongside other schools within Spokane County, it falls in the bottom quarter of the distribution. That is a signal worth weighing, though the school’s early-grade profile and the lack of multi-year data mean there is limited context for whether this reflects a trend or a single-year snapshot. A parent may want to discuss these results with the school directly and ask about how instruction and support are targeted.
Because Madison Elementary serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, nor are there metrics for chronic absenteeism or discipline in the available data. The school offers a regular elementary program; there is no public information about specialized pathways or magnet offerings.
On the district side, a parent-relevant change has taken place in recent years. Spokane Public Schools opened several new middle schools as part of a major facility bond, reshaping middle school feeder patterns and capacity across the district. For families at Madison Elementary, this means that when students move on to sixth grade, the middle school they attend may differ from what older siblings experienced, depending on where the district draws its boundaries. That is something to look into when planning the transition out of elementary school.
The surrounding neighborhood’s housing market is moderately priced by regional standards. Rents and home values are well below what is typical for the state, making this part of the city more accessible for families on a range of budgets. The school’s zip code is in an area of Spokane that is largely residential, with a mix of older single-family homes and some multifamily housing. Walkability varies by street, but downtown amenities and the Spokane River trail system are within a short drive.
In summary, Madison Elementary is a standard neighborhood public school serving a largely low-income student body in a mid-sized, economically diverse city. Its state assessment results are below county averages, which is the central fact for families weighing academic performance. The school’s small size, its place in a district undergoing middle school reconfiguration, and the relative affordability of the surrounding housing market are all practical considerations for a parent deciding whether this school is the right fit.
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