Best Public Schools in Bow, WA

Bow, Washington, has two public elementary schools serving grades K–5: Edison Elementary and Allen Elementary, both part of the Burlington-Edison School District. Together they enroll 776 students, and the schools are nearly identical in size, with about 390 students each. The district ranks 180th among 238 Washington districts, placing it around the 24th percentile statewide.

For parents comparing academic results, Edison is clearly the stronger-performing school. In 2025–26, Edison proficiency rates were 49.04% in English Language Arts, 45.63% in Math, and 50.00% in Science. Allen’s rates were 19.60%, 14.57%, and 28.79%, respectively. Edison led Allen by more than 20 percentage points in every subject, with the largest gap in Math. Edison’s Math and Science results were close to or above statewide levels, while Allen trailed the state substantially in all three subjects. Allen’s fifth-grade Math result, at 7.69%, was especially low. Edison’s grade-level results were relatively consistent, although Math declined from third through fifth grade and fourth grade was its weakest ELA grade.

There are also important differences in student needs and school resources. Allen reported a free- or reduced-price lunch rate of 79.02%, compared with 38.72% at Edison, indicating that the schools serve notably different economic circumstances. Allen also reported slightly higher spending per student—$20,011 versus $19,070—and a lower student–teacher ratio, 14.3 compared with 15.9. Despite these resource advantages, Allen’s achievement results remain persistently low, suggesting that additional support may need to address factors beyond staffing and spending alone. Edison remains the more competitive choice academically, but parents should note its sharp recent ELA decline, from 67.16% to 49.04%, while Allen’s relative bright spot was a modest improvement in Science.