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Barnes Elementary

Q: Is Barnes Elementary a good school?

Barnes Elementary ranks 835 th of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

835^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,138 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 27% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Barnes Elementary is a K–5 school in Kelso, Washington, serving 343 students in the Kelso School District. The school serves an area with relatively high economic need: 78.43% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. Barnes currently ranks 835th of 1,138 Washington schools, placing it at the 27th percentile. While that is below the statewide midpoint, the school has improved considerably from its 13th-percentile ranking in 2022–23.

Academic results are mixed. In 2025–26, 36.81% of students were proficient in English Language Arts (ELA), 34.03% in math, and 50.00% in science. ELA is Barnes’ clearest challenge, running about 10 percentage points below the district average and 16 points below the state average. Math was almost identical to the district average but below the state average. Science is a notable strength: Barnes was above the district average and nearly matched the state rate. Fifth grade was the strongest ELA grade, with 46.88% proficiency, while third- and fourth-grade ELA and math results were generally in the low-to-mid 30s.

Compared with nearby schools, Barnes is closest to Wallace Elementary in enrollment, student needs, and overall performance. Barnes ranked slightly ahead of Wallace overall and had stronger ELA and science results, though Wallace was marginally better in math. Barnes trails higher-performing Kelso schools such as Lexington Elementary, Rose Valley Elementary, and Butler Acres Elementary in most core subjects. Overall, Barnes shows encouraging long-term improvement—especially in science—while ELA and math remain the main areas for growth.

343

Students ?

16.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$21,299

Per pupil spending ?

78.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

401 Barnes
Kelso, WA 98626

(360) 501-1500

District: Kelso School District

Students who attend Barnes Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Huntington Middle School
High:	Kelso High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.6%

Hispanic:

25.9%

Pacific Islander:

7.0%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Barnes Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 13th percentile in 2023 → 27th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 27th (2026) from a 13th-percentile low (2023)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (37% vs 48% meeting standards)

!English Language Arts scores 16 pts below the Washington average

!Near the bottom of Kelso School District's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school37%

District avg41%

Washington avg48%

835^th of 1,138

Washington public elementary schools ?

Bottom 27%▼ down 12 pts since 2016

From bottom 39% (2016) to bottom 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 6Elementary Schools in the Kelso School District

160^th of 238Kelso 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
2026	27.1	835 of 1138	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	32.4	790 of 1160	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	23.8	918 of 1168	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.4	1014 of 1169	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	26.4	874 of 1169	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	28.5	782 of 1107	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	31.2	817 of 1130	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	18.2	895 of 1054	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	40.1	647 of 1056	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2016	41.5	643 of 1053	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2015	40.5	656 of 1067	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.7	628 of 1106	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	17.5	978 of 1097	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	28.5	863 of 1092	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	24.1	901 of 1088	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	22.1	893 of 1072	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	11.9	992 of 1067	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	17.2	948 of 1069	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	24.8	859 of 1051	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	19.1	878 of 1031	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	50.8	520 of 1026	49.3%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	28.1	769 of 1020	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	35.0	713 of 1092	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	18.9	924 of 1093	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	12.6	1013 of 1094	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	20.9	911 of 1100	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	23.7	785 of 1008	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	24.4	861 of 1068	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	14.4	903 of 1004	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	33.5	473 of 649	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	80.4	73 of 659	88.9%	★★★★☆
2024	70.6	153 of 651	76.5%	★★★★☆
2023	42.1	374 of 633	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.7	360 of 694	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	46.9	367 of 697	47.3%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	48.2	527 of 1008	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	49.9	489 of 1013	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	34.9	709 of 1024	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.0	801 of 1013	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	42.0	596 of 1019	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	51.4	358 of 854	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.3	341 of 979	65.2%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	35.0	719 of 1059	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	29.5	789 of 1098	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.2	775 of 1099	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	22.7	882 of 1099	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	36.9	684 of 1113	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.4	690 of 1025	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	40.7	664 of 1075	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	24.8	786 of 999	21.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2019	24.5	460 of 566	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	22.8	777 of 901	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.4	881 of 1007	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	17.6	908 of 1009	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	10.5	956 of 1011	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	14.6	942 of 1031	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	11.0	889 of 943	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	20.9	877 of 1027	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	7.3	804 of 833	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)48th percentile+21 vs school

Male (2026)32nd percentile+5 vs school

Hispanic (2026)27th percentile~ school

Female (2026)25th percentile~ school

Special Education (2019)19th percentile-9 vs school

White (2026)14th percentile-13 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

Science50%~ state avg

English Language Arts37%-16 vs state

Math34%-9 vs state

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Schools Near Barnes Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WCAS Science (2026)		SBAC English Language Arts (2026)				SBAC Math (2026)				% 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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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
Barnes Elementary	Public	K-5	401 Barnes	Kelso	98626	Cowlitz County	Kelso School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 501-1500	343	20	16.7	78.4%	208 (60.6%)	1 (0.3%)	89 (25.9%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	24 (7.0%)	18 (5.2%)	27.1	835^th of 1138 public elementary schools	26.6%		32.4	790^th of 1160 public elementary schools	31.9%	45	50.0	50.0	33.3	34.6	46.9	36.8	33.3	34.6	34.4	34.0	94.6	98.2	100.0	100.0	100.0	98.2	98.2	96.4	98.2	98.2	$21,299	$1,627	$19,673
Rose Valley Elementary	Public	K-5	404 Long Ave	Kelso	98626	Cowlitz County	Kelso School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 501-1400	186	10	18.6	41.4%	162 (87.1%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.1%)	1 (0.5%)	10 (5.4%)	45.1	610^th of 1138 public elementary schools	46.4%		59.9	431^st of 1160 public elementary schools	62.8%	179	42.4	42.4	44.1		51.6	57.6	55.9		32.3	53.5	77.3	77.3	86.4	86.4	86.4	77.3	77.3	77.3	77.3	77.3	$18,322	$551	$17,772
Butler Acres Elementary	Public	K-5	1609 Burcham St	Kelso	98626	Cowlitz County	Kelso School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 501-1600	426	25	17.0	63.4%	283 (66.4%)	1 (0.2%)	95 (22.3%)	5 (1.2%)	7 (1.6%)	7 (1.6%)	28 (6.6%)	47.5	577^th of 1138 public elementary schools	49.3%		44	625^th of 1160 public elementary schools	46.1%	48	53.1	53.1	37.9	64.2	40.7	48.3	43.9	64.2	22.2	43.4	92.7	94.6	94.6	94.6	94.6	92.7	94.6	92.7	92.7	92.7	$17,341	$640	$16,701
Columbia Heights Elementary	Public	K-5	2820 Parkview Drive	Longview	98632	Cowlitz County	Longview School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 575-7461	331	23	14.7	57.7%	230 (69.5%)	2 (0.6%)	56 (16.9%)	2 (0.6%)	6 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	34 (10.3%)	45.5	604^th of 1138 public elementary schools	46.9%		43.1	639^th of 1160 public elementary schools	44.9%	35	44.3	44.3	45.5	50.8	38.3	45.0	52.7	59.4	30.0	47.5	94.6	94.6	98.2	98.2	98.2	94.6	94.6	96.4	94.6	94.6	$17,519	$774	$16,746
Wallace Elementary	Public	K-5	1213 S 5th Ave	Kelso	98626	Cowlitz County	Kelso School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 501-1650	333	20	16.8	85.0%	196 (58.9%)	2 (0.6%)	91 (27.3%)	3 (0.9%)	4 (1.2%)	14 (4.2%)	23 (6.9%)	26.4	840^th of 1138 public elementary schools	26.2%		23.3	929^th of 1160 public elementary schools	19.9%	89	44.6	44.6	30.0	28.3	46.4	35.2	36.0	34.0	33.9	34.6	98.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	98.0	100.0	100.0	98.0	98.0	$19,655	$2,015	$17,639
Broadway Learning Center	Public	PK-K	1410 8th Avenue	Longview	98632	Cowlitz County	Longview School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 575-7429	135	5	27.0	63.7%	84 (62.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (24.4%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.0%)	3 (2.2%)	11 (8.1%)								(n/a)																					$21,999	$1,328	$20,672
Northlake Elementary School	Public	K-5	2210 Olympia Way	Longview	98632	Cowlitz County	Longview School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 575-7630	315	22	14.6	73.7%	166 (52.7%)	4 (1.3%)	107 (34.0%)	7 (2.2%)	6 (1.9%)	2 (0.6%)	23 (7.3%)	27.7	825^th of 1138 public elementary schools	27.5%		24.6	913^th of 1160 public elementary schools	21.3%	88	31.1	31.1	38.9	37.7	37.8	38.2	38.9	49.1	20.0	36.8	96.7	98.3	98.3	98.3	98.3	98.3	98.3	96.7	98.3	98.3	$16,855	$1,109	$15,746
Lexington Elementary	Public	K-5	200 Boardwalk Way	Kelso	98626	Cowlitz County	Kelso School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 501-1450	854	51	16.8	63.7%	616 (72.1%)	3 (0.4%)	148 (17.3%)	6 (0.7%)	5 (0.6%)	6 (0.7%)	70 (8.2%)	56.3	474^th of 1138 public elementary schools	58.3%		52.1	534^th of 1160 public elementary schools	54.0%	60	59.2	59.2	50.8	41.8	55.9	50.1	65.2	42.7	41.3	49.9	95.5	97.0	97.0	97.0	97.0	97.0	99.2	95.5	97.0	97.0	$16,339	$953	$15,386
Columbia Valley Garden Elementary School	Public	K-5	2644 30th Avenue	Longview	98632	Cowlitz County	Longview School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 575-7502	362	23	15.7	56.1%	281 (77.6%)	1 (0.3%)	44 (12.2%)	4 (1.1%)	3 (0.8%)	6 (1.7%)	23 (6.4%)	55.7	483^rd of 1138 public elementary schools	57.6%		65.6	372^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	67.9%	111	50.0	50.0	41.5	52.8	55.0	49.4	58.5	58.5	41.7	52.8	98.1	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	98.1	100.0	100.0	$16,702	$722	$15,980
Kessler Elementary School	Public	K-5	1902 E Kessler Blvd.	Longview	98632	Cowlitz County	Longview School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 575-7580	349	20	17.1	82.8%	200 (57.3%)	3 (0.9%)	90 (25.8%)	8 (2.3%)	7 (2.0%)	2 (0.6%)	39 (11.2%)	18.2	933^rd of 1138 public elementary schools	18.0%		16.1	1011^th of 1160 public elementary schools	12.8%	78	43.6	43.6	23.5	29.6	32.3	28.7	31.4	32.1	25.4	29.3	92.1	96.8	96.8	96.8	96.8	93.7	96.8	93.7	93.7	93.7	$19,434	$1,389	$18,045

Frequently Asked Questions about Barnes Elementary

How many students attend Barnes Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 343 students attended Barnes Elementary.

What district is Barnes Elementary in?

Kelso School District

What is the racial makeup of Barnes Elementary?

Students at Barnes Elementary are 61% White, 26% Hispanic, 7% Pacific Islander, 5% Two or more races.

Is Barnes Elementary a good school?

Barnes Elementary ranks 835^th of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Barnes Elementary attend?

Students who attend Barnes Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Huntington Middle School
High : Kelso High School

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 8, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2024–25 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2025

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.