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Henry David Thoreau Elementary

Q: Is Henry David Thoreau Elementary a good school?

Henry David Thoreau Elementary ranks 140 th of 1160 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

140^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,160 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 88% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Henry David Thoreau Elementary is a high-performing public elementary school serving 404 students in grades K-5 within the highly-regarded Lake Washington School District in Kirkland, WA.

The school has a strong, consistent record of academic excellence, ranking in the top 15% of Washington elementary schools, with recent test scores in English, math, and science well above state averages. Compared to many nearby schools in the same district, such as Helen Keller Elementary and Robert Frost Elementary, Thoreau posts higher proficiency rates. However, its most direct peer is the similarly high-achieving Carl Sandburg Elementary, located less than a mile away, which has recently ranked slightly higher.

While Thoreau remains an excellent school, recent data shows a slight dip in its statewide ranking and test scores, a trend that school leadership is likely monitoring. The school's science scores are particularly strong, though there is a noticeable performance gap in math for fifth graders. Interestingly, comparisons with schools in neighboring districts, like Cedar Park Elementary in Seattle School District No. 1 or Moorlands Elementary in the Northshore School District, show that high academic outcomes can be achieved with varying levels of per-student spending, suggesting factors like instructional quality and school culture are significant.

404

Students ?

17.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,299

Per pupil spending ?

16.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

8224 NE 138th
Kirkland, WA 98034-5105

(425) 936-2720

District: Lake Washington School District

Students who attend Henry David Thoreau Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Finn Hill Middle School
High:	Juanita High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

55.4%

Asian:

19.8%

Hispanic:

11.6%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Henry David Thoreau Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 91st percentile in 2015 → 88th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Washington average (72% vs 48% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 12% of Washington elementary schools

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school72%

District avg78%

Washington avg48%

140^th of 1,160

Washington public elementary schools ?

Top 12%▼ down 3 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

23^rd of 31Elementary Schools in the Lake Washington School District

4^th of 247Lake Washington School District among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	87.0	140 of 1160	87.9%	★★★★☆
2024	90.8	97 of 1168	91.7%	★★★★★
2023	92.7	81 of 1169	93.1%	★★★★★
2022	89.9	104 of 1169	91.1%	★★★★★
2021	95.5	52 of 1107	95.3%	★★★★★
2019	89.8	91 of 1130	91.9%	★★★★★
2018	92.7	56 of 1054	94.7%	★★★★★
2017	91.4	69 of 1056	93.5%	★★★★★
2016	80.1	188 of 1053	82.1%	★★★★☆
2015	88.7	98 of 1067	90.8%	★★★★★
2013	76.9	212 of 1106	80.8%	★★★★☆
2012	67.9	342 of 1097	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	72.6	253 of 1092	76.8%	★★★★☆
2010	70.5	267 of 1088	75.5%	★★★★☆
2009	64.5	373 of 1072	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	74.5	220 of 1067	79.4%	★★★★☆
2007	62.1	405 of 1069	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2006	76.2	202 of 1051	80.8%	★★★★☆
2005	69.2	293 of 1031	71.6%	★★★★☆
2004	67.0	287 of 1026	72.0%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2018	88.8	7 of 169	95.9%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	88.9	104 of 1092	90.5%	★★★★★
2024	93.8	52 of 1093	95.2%	★★★★★
2023	94.0	48 of 1094	95.6%	★★★★★
2022	90.0	93 of 1100	91.5%	★★★★★
2021	95.2	49 of 1008	95.1%	★★★★★
2019	87.8	98 of 1068	90.8%	★★★★★
2018	89.5	78 of 1004	92.2%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	64.5	205 of 651	68.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	59.4	377 of 1013	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.0	253 of 1024	75.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	84.4	155 of 1098	85.9%	★★★★☆
2024	86.9	127 of 1099	88.4%	★★★★☆
2023	89.5	103 of 1099	90.6%	★★★★★
2022	88.0	114 of 1113	89.8%	★★★★☆
2021	94.7	56 of 1025	94.5%	★★★★★
2019	90.1	79 of 1075	92.7%	★★★★★
2018	93.2	36 of 999	96.4%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2022	74.2	57 of 252	77.4%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2019	69.4	116 of 566	79.5%	★★★★☆
2018	83.5	61 of 637	90.4%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	70.5	285 of 1007	71.7%	★★★★☆
2024	83.4	136 of 1009	86.5%	★★★★☆
2023	85.4	118 of 1011	88.3%	★★★★☆
2022	81.8	152 of 1031	85.3%	★★★★☆
2021	86.4	105 of 943	88.9%	★★★★☆
2019	83.1	137 of 1027	86.7%	★★★★☆
2018	85.2	76 of 833	90.9%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Asian (2018)96th percentile~ school

Female (2025)90th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2025)86th percentile~ school

Special Education (2019)80th percentile-12 vs school

Multi-racial (2022)77th percentile-14 vs school

White (2025)72nd percentile-16 vs school

Hispanic (2024)69th percentile-23 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)63rd percentile-25 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2024-2025) ?

Science77%+28 vs state

English Language Arts74%+21 vs state

Math65%+23 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Finn Hill is a great community with wonderful parents & kids that deserve much more from Thoreau Elementary. The principal Mrs. Mallon cares more about being under budget than anything else. The parents don't feel that they are heard, so they choose to not get involved with the school. Bullying continues to happen and get pushed under the rug in hopes that the parents will forget. She is unfriendly and is really good at turning around a conflict into the parents problem. Not only does she enjoy having large classrooms (34 students), but doing what's best for the children is not a priority or concern. The parents won't make a stand & continue to bad mouth their experiences instead of making it heard. The truth hurts & a change needs to be made from the top. If you like negative reinforcement than this is the school for you. Take it from me, don't go there! Several families & facility are thankful they have left and I urge to do the same. It's sad because the staff & children deserve much more. Close Quote

Schools Near Henry David Thoreau Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				WCAS Science (2025)		SBAC English Language Arts (2025)				SBAC Math (2025)				% Completely Immunized (2024)	% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Diphtheria (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% Pertussis (2024)	% Tetanus (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 5th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 4th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 5th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 3rd Grade	SBAC Math 4th Grade	SBAC Math 5th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Measles KG	% Mumps KG	% Rubella KG	% Diphtheria KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% Pertussis KG	% Tetanus KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Henry David Thoreau Elementary	Public	K-5	8224 NE 138th	Kirkland	98034	King County	Lake Washington School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 936-2720	404	24	17.0	16.1%	224 (55.4%)	5 (1.2%)	47 (11.6%)	80 (19.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	45 (11.1%)	87	140^th of 1160 public elementary schools	87.9%		90.8	97^th of 1168 public elementary schools	91.7%	43	77.1	77.1	70.2	80.0	74.3	74.4	66.7	65.2	64.3	65.5	89.4	93.9	97.0	97.0	97.0	95.5	90.9	92.4	95.5	95.5	$19,299	$163	$19,136
Carl Sandburg Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	12801 - 84th Ave NE	Kirkland	98034	King County	Lake Washington School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 936-2700	391	25	15.3	8.7%	216 (55.2%)	4 (1.0%)	41 (10.5%)	61 (15.6%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.3%)	55 (14.1%)	91	99^th of 1160 public elementary schools	91.5%		90.4	104^th of 1168 public elementary schools	91.1%	5	82.8	82.8	89.8	68.4	81.3	78.7	81.4	65.8	65.6	70.3	93.8	95.8	97.9	97.9	97.9	95.8	93.8	95.8	95.8	95.8	$19,101	$163	$18,937
Discovery Community School	Public	K-5	12801 84th NE	Kirkland	98034	King County	Lake Washington School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 936-2704	71	3	21.8	7.0%	34 (47.9%)	1 (1.4%)	4 (5.6%)	23 (32.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (12.7%)	82.7	189^th of 1160 public elementary schools	83.7%		82.3	199^th of 1168 public elementary schools	83.0%	10				63.6		80.6		63.6	69.2	72.2	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	$13,448	$163	$13,285
Moorlands Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	15115 84 Av NE	Kenmore	98028	King County	Northshore School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 408-5100	579	30	19.1	10.7%	303 (52.3%)	16 (2.8%)	70 (12.1%)	124 (21.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (11.2%)	92.9	74^th of 1160 public elementary schools	93.6%		91.1	92^nd of 1168 public elementary schools	92.1%	18	79.7	79.7	82.8	78.6	74.4	78.4	82.8	75.0	69.2	75.4	91.7	94.4	93.1	93.1	93.1	94.4	91.7	93.1	94.4	94.4	$17,352	$217	$17,135
Juanita Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	9635 NE 132nd	Kirkland	98034	King County	Lake Washington School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 936-2570	394	26	14.9	22.6%	173 (43.9%)	21 (5.3%)	74 (18.8%)	75 (19.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (12.2%)	74.6	262^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	77.4%		78.1	238^th of 1168 public elementary schools	79.6%	24	72.6	72.6	53.1	56.9	73.1	61.2	62.0	52.9	71.2	62.1	93.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	98.0	93.9	95.9	95.9	$18,786	$163	$18,622
Arrowhead Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6725 NE Arrowhead DR	Kenmore	98028	King County	Northshore School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 408-4000	332	20	16.9	31.6%	187 (56.3%)	10 (3.0%)	69 (20.8%)	35 (10.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	29 (8.7%)	89.6	114^th of 1160 public elementary schools	90.2%		86.5	148^th of 1168 public elementary schools	87.3%	34	76.9	76.9	90.0	79.1	70.6	79.9	80.0	76.2	54.9	69.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	$23,584	$709	$22,875
Helen Keller Elementary	Public	K-5	13820 - 108th NE	Kirkland	98034	King County	Lake Washington School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 936-2580	300	20	14.6	31.3%	127 (42.3%)	15 (5.0%)	61 (20.3%)	41 (13.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	54 (18.0%)	59.5	437^th of 1160 public elementary schools	62.3%		63.2	408^th of 1168 public elementary schools	65.1%	29	40.9	40.9	53.1	68.9	59.5	59.6	60.0	54.4	42.9	53.6	95.2	95.2	95.2	95.2	95.2	95.2	97.6	95.2	95.2	95.2	$21,781	$163	$21,617
Robert Frost Elementary	Public	K-5	11801 NE 140th	Kirkland	98034	King County	Lake Washington School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 936-2560	424	33	12.8	32.3%	186 (43.9%)	15 (3.5%)	131 (30.9%)	48 (11.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (10.1%)	64.6	382^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	67.1%		75.2	271^st of 1168 public elementary schools	76.8%	111	56.9	56.9	61.1	54.4	62.0	59.2	59.7	54.4	46.5	53.6	91.7	94.4	97.2	97.2	97.2	98.6	94.4	95.8	98.6	98.6	$20,523	$605	$19,917
Alexander Graham Bell Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	11212 NE 112th	Kirkland	98033	King County	Lake Washington School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 936-2510	503	33	15.3	29.4%	212 (42.1%)	21 (4.2%)	135 (26.8%)	89 (17.7%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	40 (8.0%)	66.5	361^st of 1160 public elementary schools	68.9%		77.4	248^th of 1168 public elementary schools	78.8%	113	63.8	63.8	52.8	54.8	67.2	57.8	55.6	60.0	48.3	54.7	93.2	97.3	98.6	98.6	98.6	95.9	97.3	97.3	95.9	95.9	$18,656	$163	$18,492
Cedar Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	13224 37th Ave NE	Seattle	98125	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 252-4300	254	17	14.9	33.5%	113 (44.5%)	22 (8.7%)	38 (15.0%)	45 (17.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (12.6%)	91.2	96^th of 1160 public elementary schools	91.7%		87.3	139^th of 1168 public elementary schools	88.1%	43	85.7	85.7	71.4	80.7	85.7	79.6	64.7	80.0	66.7	69.8	97.7	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	97.7	100.0	100.0	$30,244	$1,172	$29,072

Frequently Asked Questions about Henry David Thoreau Elementary

What district is Henry David Thoreau Elementary in?

Lake Washington School District

Is Henry David Thoreau Elementary a good school?

Henry David Thoreau Elementary ranks 140^th of 1160 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Henry David Thoreau Elementary attend?

Students who attend Henry David Thoreau Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Finn Hill Middle School
High : Juanita High School

How many students attend Henry David Thoreau Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 404 students attended Henry David Thoreau Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Henry David Thoreau Elementary?

Students at Henry David Thoreau Elementary are 55% White, 20% Asian, 12% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 1% African American.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.