The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Science. The lowest is 18% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington Elementary
Washington Elementary serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in the Vancouver School District. Located on the south side of the city, it draws from a neighborhood that reflects the broader community’s diversity. The school enrolls around a modest number of students for an elementary school, with roughly even distribution across the grade levels. Its student body is notably diverse: the largest groups are Hispanic students and White students, with smaller shares identifying as two or more races, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need.
In terms of academic performance on Washington’s state assessments, the results are lower than what many families would expect. For the most recent testing year, math proficiency across the grades that were reported landed in a range that is well below the midpoint, and overall math achievement was lower than English language arts. In ELA, about one-quarter of tested students met the proficiency bar, with variation by grade: third-grade proficiency was quite low, while fourth and fifth grades were somewhat higher but still below typical benchmarks. In science, only a quarter of fifth graders scored proficient. The school’s overall proficiency index—the average across all tested subjects and grades—falls in the bottom quartile when compared with districts in Clark County. No trend data is available because this is the first year with reported scores, so families cannot see whether performance is improving or declining. Mathematics results for third graders were suppressed, likely due to small group sizes; that means the data for that grade is not published to protect student privacy. A parent who values strong academic outcomes may want to look into what interventions and support programs the school offers, particularly in math and early literacy.
Because Washington Elementary serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism data was also not available, so it is unclear how consistently students attend. The school’s staffing, discipline rates, and course access details were not provided in the available records, leaving gaps that interested families might want to fill by contacting the school directly.
The surrounding community shapes the context. Vancouver is a mid-sized city that serves as the county seat of Clark County and is part of the Portland metropolitan area. It blends older neighborhoods near the historic downtown with newer suburban subdivisions, especially east of the dividing line of NE Andresen Road. The city has grown rapidly in recent years, with a large annexation proposal under discussion that would substantially expand its boundaries. The economy is anchored by corporate headquarters such as Nautilus, ZoomInfo, and Papa Murphy’s, along with the Port of Vancouver and the Vancouver School District itself. Housing values in the area are in line with the typical range for the state, and rents are moderate; the cost of buying a home is above the national median but below Washington’s overall benchmark. The city has a recognizable downtown with Esther Short Park, the Vancouver Waterfront, and historic Fort Vancouver, and many schools, including Washington Elementary, are situated within residential neighborhoods rather than on a single campus.
A search for recent changes within the Vancouver School District that would directly affect parents did not turn up any specific developments with lasting impact. The district brief notes that only general statistics and financial data were publicly reported, so families should check the district’s own communications for updates on boundary changes, program offerings, or initiatives.
Taken together, Washington Elementary is a neighborhood school in a growing, diverse city. It serves a student body with high economic need, and its state test results are lower than those of many other schools in Clark County. Families for whom academic proficiency is a primary consideration will likely want to explore the school’s instructional approaches and support resources to determine whether the environment matches their priorities.
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