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North Star Elementary

Q: Is North Star Elementary a good school?

North Star Elementary ranks 453 rd of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

453^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,138 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 60% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

North Star Elementary in Graham, Washington, serves 446 students in kindergarten through fifth grade and is part of the Bethel School District, surrounded by several nearby elementary schools that provide useful comparisons.

North Star ranks in the 60th percentile statewide for 2025–2026, with a 3-star rating, placing it above the statewide midpoint and ahead of several nearby schools. Its results exceed the Bethel School District average in every reported subject: 53.65% in English language arts, 48.07% in math, and 61.97% in science. Science is the school’s clearest strength—the 61.97% rate is the highest among the nearby schools listed, including Rocky Ridge Elementary, Graham Elementary, and Expedition Elementary. North Star’s math performance is also nearly 10 percentage points above the district average, although Graham Elementary, Pioneer Valley Elementary, Nelson Elementary School, and Expedition Elementary have higher math results.

The main academic concern is upper-grade performance. Third grade is notably strong in both ELA and math, but fourth-grade ELA drops to 37.8%, while fourth- and fifth-grade math results are 41.46% and 39.44%. Families may want to ask how the school supports the transition into upper elementary grades. North Star has a relatively favorable 14.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio, the lowest among the nearby schools listed, and its overall ranking has remained fairly stable in recent years. It also reports strong outcomes for low-income students, while special education performance remains an important area for improvement. Overall, North Star offers a balanced profile: strong science, results above district and state averages, and consistent statewide standing, with math and selected student-support areas needing continued attention.

446

Students ?

14.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,089

Per pupil spending ?

52.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

92.3%

Kindergartners complete for all required immunizations (2025-26)

Exemptions: 1.9% (any vaccine)

7719 224th Street East
Graham, WA 98338-9216

(253) 800-8800

District: Bethel School District

Students who attend North Star Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Bethel Middle School
High:	Bethel High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

56.3%

Hispanic:

17.7%

Two or more races:

16.1%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare North Star Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 55th percentile in 2016 → 60th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Washington median (60th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg44%

Washington avg48%

453^rd of 1,138

Washington public elementary schools ?

Top 40%▲ up 5 pts since 2016

From top 45% (2016) to top 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 19Elementary Schools in the Bethel School District

116^th of 238Bethel 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	57.4	453 of 1138	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	57.0	470 of 1160	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.9	435 of 1168	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.8	428 of 1169	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.3	415 of 1169	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.4	541 of 1107	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.6	587 of 1130	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	51.2	516 of 1054	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	41.2	637 of 1056	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2016	55.4	476 of 1053	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	41.5	642 of 1067	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	51.0	584 of 1106	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	36.9	767 of 1097	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2011	39.9	705 of 1092	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2010	40.2	695 of 1088	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2009	62.4	398 of 1072	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2008	63.1	399 of 1067	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	44.6	628 of 1069	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	53.6	498 of 1051	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2005	38.5	680 of 1031	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2004	15.4	916 of 1026	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	59.4	398 of 1020	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.5	488 of 1092	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.1	449 of 1093	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.8	323 of 1094	70.5%	★★★★☆
2022	59.7	409 of 1100	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.1	462 of 1008	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.4	574 of 1068	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.2	512 of 1004	49.0%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	68.2	173 of 659	73.7%	★★★★☆
2024	44.3	371 of 651	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.0	326 of 633	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	61.2	197 of 694	71.6%	★★★★☆
2021	68.4	88 of 501	82.4%	★★★★☆
2019	49.0	348 of 697	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.8	225 of 540	58.3%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	63.7	317 of 1008	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	75.8	166 of 1013	83.6%	★★★★☆
2024	71.5	218 of 1024	78.7%	★★★★☆
2023	70.8	222 of 1013	78.1%	★★★★☆
2022	61.0	309 of 1019	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	38.4	525 of 854	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	67.5	245 of 979	75.0%	★★★★☆
2018	62.4	273 of 835	67.3%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	60.9	388 of 1059	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	60.3	408 of 1098	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.0	371 of 1099	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.0	502 of 1099	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.5	393 of 1113	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	41.2	566 of 1025	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.4	550 of 1075	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	52.0	477 of 999	52.3%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	29.7	95 of 119	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	54.7	83 of 197	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.0	54 of 188	71.3%	★★★★☆
2023	70.4	52 of 194	73.2%	★★★★☆
2022	44.2	146 of 252	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	52.3	56 of 128	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	42.9	196 of 303	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	31.4	159 of 212	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	25.8	351 of 432	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	16.5	339 of 363	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	39.5	209 of 339	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	28.3	425 of 566	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	44.3	335 of 637	47.4%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	50.2	459 of 901	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	48.3	516 of 1007	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	54.0	453 of 1009	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.7	470 of 1011	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.3	444 of 1031	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	38.2	592 of 943	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.6	507 of 1027	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	46.9	452 of 833	45.7%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2025)74th percentile+14 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)69th percentile+8 vs school

Male (2026)63rd percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)61st percentile~ school

White (2026)49th percentile-11 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)20th percentile-40 vs school

Special Education (2026)19th percentile-41 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

Science62%+11 vs state

English Language Arts54%~ state avg

Math48%+5 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, April 22, 2017

I've had 3 of my kids in this school my youngest just started this year and I have never liked a school so much. I love the staff and have many teachers who know my older kids and ask my youngest how they are doing!! Over all I am glad my kids went and go to North Star Close Quote

Schools Near North Star 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 Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WCAS Science (2026)		SBAC English Language Arts (2026)					SBAC Math (2026)					Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 3rd Grade	SBAC Math 4th Grade	SBAC Math 5th Grade	SBAC Math 6th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners complete for all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
North Star Elementary	Public	K-5	7719 224th Street East	Graham	98338	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 800-8800	446	31	14.5	52.0%	251 (56.3%)	10 (2.2%)	79 (17.7%)	10 (2.2%)	3 (0.7%)	20 (4.5%)	72 (16.1%)	57.4	453^rd of 1138 public elementary schools	60.2%		57	470^th of 1160 public elementary schools	59.5%	17	62.0	62.0	67.5	37.8	56.3		53.7	62.5	41.5	39.4		48.1	92.3%	1.9%	$20,089	$755	$19,334
Pioneer Valley Elementary	Public	K-5	7315 Eustis Hunt Road	Spanaway	98387	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 800-8900	524	34	15.5	56.5%	213 (40.6%)	39 (7.4%)	120 (22.9%)	15 (2.9%)	2 (0.4%)	44 (8.4%)	91 (17.4%)	66.1	354^th of 1138 public elementary schools	68.9%		70	312^th of 1160 public elementary schools	73.1%	42	50.0	50.0	52.1	58.5	54.4		55.0	69.8	57.3	51.1		59.5	93.2%	4.1%	$19,517	$548	$18,969
Centennial Elementary	Public	K-5	24353 Mathias Rd E	Graham	98338	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 800-7700	540	36	14.9	67.0%	263 (48.7%)	19 (3.5%)	128 (23.7%)	4 (0.7%)	7 (1.3%)	26 (4.8%)	93 (17.2%)	37.6	709^th of 1138 public elementary schools	37.7%		46.4	599^th of 1160 public elementary schools	48.4%	110	44.0	44.0	44.6	45.7	37.3		43.1	49.6	42.6	25.7		40.9	84%	6.2%	$20,096	$788	$19,308
Graham Elementary	Public	K-5	10026 204th Street East	Graham	98338	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 800-8500	428	28	15.2	52.1%	211 (49.3%)	22 (5.1%)	72 (16.8%)	16 (3.7%)	8 (1.9%)	21 (4.9%)	78 (18.2%)	69	324^th of 1138 public elementary schools	71.5%		63.4	392^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	66.2%	68	56.0	56.0	70.7	47.9	51.2		56.5	68.0	57.8	58.3		61.3	91.7%	1.7%	$20,943	$524	$20,420
Nelson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	22109 108th Ave E	Graham	98338	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 800-6400	497	33	14.9	46.9%	288 (57.9%)	21 (4.2%)	71 (14.3%)	16 (3.2%)	4 (0.8%)	10 (2.0%)	87 (17.5%)	61.3	413^th of 1138 public elementary schools	63.7%		77	243^rd of 1160 public elementary schools	79.1%	170	50.8	50.8	57.3	50.0	49.2		52.3	60.8	58.1	47.7		55.9	90.5%	4.1%	$22,104	$159	$21,945
Shining Mountain Elementary	Public	K-5	21615 38th Ave E	Spanaway	98387	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 800-5200	613	38	16.2	65.7%	173 (28.2%)	65 (10.6%)	155 (25.3%)	28 (4.6%)	2 (0.3%)	72 (11.7%)	118 (19.2%)	36.8	725^th of 1138 public elementary schools	36.3%		27.4	863^rd of 1160 public elementary schools	25.6%	138	44.6	44.6	50.0	34.9	46.3		43.5	52.2	33.0	34.7		39.1	88.2%	7.9%	$19,429	$925	$18,504
Rocky Ridge Elementary	Public	K-5	6514 260th Street East	Graham	98338	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 800-5000	430	28	15.3	60.9%	232 (54.0%)	13 (3.0%)	90 (20.9%)	2 (0.5%)	5 (1.2%)	14 (3.3%)	74 (17.2%)	54.9	494^th of 1138 public elementary schools	56.6%		50	557^th of 1160 public elementary schools	52.0%	63	56.4	56.4	41.4	42.5	56.4		47.1	55.7	54.8	46.2		52.0	94.6%	4.1%	$20,655	$1,070	$19,585
Emma L Carson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	8615 184th St E	Puyallup	98375	Pierce County	Puyallup School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 840-8808	676	40	17.0	52.8%	232 (34.3%)	105 (15.5%)	128 (18.9%)	57 (8.4%)	3 (0.4%)	38 (5.6%)	113 (16.7%)	56.5	471^st of 1138 public elementary schools	58.6%		56.6	476^th of 1160 public elementary schools	59.0%	5	46.9	46.9	51.1	40.4	59.4	46.4	48.8	63.8	47.4	45.8	50.0	51.5	97.3%	2.7%	$17,335	$431	$16,905
Expedition Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	18717 108th Ave Ct E	Puyallup	98374	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(253) 800-2400	530	31	16.9	51.3%	117 (22.1%)	114 (21.5%)	86 (16.2%)	81 (15.3%)	4 (0.8%)	39 (7.4%)	88 (16.6%)	62	399^th of 1138 public elementary schools	64.9%					(n/a)	53.8	53.8	53.0	44.3	64.8		54.6	61.0	47.7	52.4		53.9	90.5%	4.8%	$16,873	$154	$16,719
Frederickson Elementary	Public	K-5	17418 74th Ave E	Puyallup	98375	Pierce County	Bethel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 800-6300	527	35	15.0	59.0%	172 (32.6%)	75 (14.2%)	114 (21.6%)	34 (6.5%)	4 (0.8%)	19 (3.6%)	109 (20.7%)	20.5	903^rd of 1138 public elementary schools	20.7%		21.4	955^th of 1160 public elementary schools	17.7%	52	34.4	34.4	32.2	37.7	35.6		35.1	34.4	31.8	26.7		30.9	90.3%	0%	$20,214	$649	$19,566

Frequently Asked Questions about North Star Elementary

What is the racial makeup of North Star Elementary?

Students at North Star Elementary are 56% White, 18% Hispanic, 16% Two or more races, 4% Pacific Islander, 2% African American, 2% Asian.

How many students attend North Star Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 446 students attended North Star Elementary.

Is North Star Elementary a good school?

North Star Elementary ranks 453^rd of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is North Star Elementary in?

Bethel School District

What schools do graduates of North Star Elementary attend?

Students who attend North Star Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bethel Middle School
High : Bethel High School

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewNov 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 8, 2026

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.