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Custer Elementary School

Q: Is Custer Elementary School a good school?

Custer Elementary School ranks 804 th of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

804^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,138 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 29% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Custer Elementary School is a PK–5 school in Lakewood, Washington, serving 358 students in the Clover Park School District. It is located near several other district elementary schools, including Oakbrook Elementary School and Dower Elementary School. Custer serves a relatively high-need community: 74.02% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–2025. The school ranked in the 29th percentile statewide for 2025–2026, while the district ranked in approximately the 32nd percentile.

Academically, Custer’s strongest area is science. In 2025–2026, 47.06% of students met standards in science, compared with 37.31% across the district. That was the second-highest science result among nearby Clover Park schools, behind Idlewild Elementary School. Custer’s English language arts proficiency was 39.47%, close to the district’s 40.88%, while math proficiency was lower at 24.35%. Fifth-grade math is the most urgent concern: only 8.33% of fifth graders met standards, compared with 28.89% districtwide. Custer generally outperformed nearby Four Heroes Elementary, Lakeview Hope Academy, Dower Elementary School, and Park Lodge Elementary School, particularly in science.

Families should also note that performance declined in all three tested subjects from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026, following a significant improvement the previous year. Custer’s student-teacher ratio was 17:1, the highest among the nearby Clover Park schools listed, although its per-student spending was also comparatively high at $27,154. The school trails stronger nearby schools such as Idlewild Elementary School, and the difference is especially large compared with Chambers Elementary in the University Place School District. Overall, Custer appears to be a middle-performing local option with a clear science strength, but families may want to ask about fifth-grade math support, intervention programs, staffing stability, and plans to sustain academic gains.

358

Students ?

17.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$27,154

Per pupil spending ?

74%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7801 Steilacoom Blvd SW
Lakewood, WA 98498-6198

(253) 583-5230

District: Clover Park School District

Students who attend Custer Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Hudtloff Middle School
High:	General William H. Harrison Preparatory School
	Lakes High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

27.1%

White:

25.1%

Two or more races:

19.0%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Custer Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 13th percentile in 2015 → 29th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 16 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (34% vs 48% meeting standards)

!Math scores 19 pts below the Washington average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school34%

District avg35%

Washington avg48%

804^th of 1,138

Washington public elementary schools ?

Bottom 29%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From bottom 46% (2016) to bottom 29% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 16Elementary Schools in the Clover Park School District

162^nd of 238Clover Park 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	29.3	804 of 1138	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	43.1	640 of 1160	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	27.9	853 of 1168	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.6	862 of 1169	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.9	887 of 1169	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	20.1	886 of 1107	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.0	957 of 1130	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	9.3	997 of 1056	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	46.9	573 of 1053	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2015	17.7	924 of 1067	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	29.9	846 of 1106	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	17.4	979 of 1097	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	33.7	798 of 1092	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	28.6	848 of 1088	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	34.5	761 of 1072	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	37.5	709 of 1067	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2007	31.0	788 of 1069	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	26.0	846 of 1051	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	16.5	907 of 1031	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	47.8	550 of 1026	46.4%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	23.6	824 of 1020	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	38.7	659 of 1092	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.2	768 of 1093	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.1	893 of 1094	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	23.0	892 of 1100	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	14.1	923 of 1008	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	24.3	863 of 1068	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.0	748 of 1004	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	39.8	658 of 1008	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	53.2	450 of 1013	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.2	591 of 1024	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.1	575 of 1013	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	41.4	610 of 1019	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	44.4	444 of 854	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	42.0	604 of 979	38.3%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	32.1	761 of 1059	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	45.3	587 of 1098	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.4	663 of 1099	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	33.4	738 of 1099	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.2	766 of 1113	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.4	689 of 1025	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	14.1	965 of 1075	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	13.6	913 of 999	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2019	6.4	1001 of 1027	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	22.3	696 of 833	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆

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)35th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2026)28th percentile~ school

Female (2026)19th percentile-10 vs school

White (2019)3rd percentile-13 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

Science47%-4 vs state

English Language Arts39%-13 vs state

Math24%-19 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, July 13, 2020

We had to take our kids out of Custer because of Bullying and Racism. The Principal don’t care about the kids. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, February 25, 2020

My daughters have been attending Custer since day one of Kindergarten. My older is now a 5th grader and I also have a 1st grader and they BOTH LOVE IT! All the staff, from principals and teachers, to custodians and receptionist, they are all AMAZING! You can tell they all care about the well being and safety of the children along with ensuring that they are getting the education they need and deserve. I would not hesitate to enroll kids here and would recommend it to anyone and have nothing but kind words about the school and staff!!! Love my Custer Family Close Quote

Schools Near Custer Elementary School

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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
Custer Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7801 Steilacoom Blvd SW	Lakewood	98498	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 583-5230	358	21	17.0	74.0%	90 (25.1%)	54 (15.1%)	97 (27.1%)	15 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.3%)	68 (19.0%)	29.3	804^th of 1138 public elementary schools	29.3%		43.1	640^th of 1160 public elementary schools	44.8%	164	47.1	47.1	38.1	41.7	38.9	39.5	34.9	27.8	8.3	24.4	86.9	90.2	88.5	88.5	88.5	88.5	91.8	88.5	88.5	88.5	$27,154	$1,819	$25,334
Oakbrook Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7802 83rd AVE SW	Lakewood	98498	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 583-5330	285	19	14.8	61.8%	75 (26.3%)	51 (17.9%)	49 (17.2%)	20 (7.0%)	1 (0.4%)	14 (4.9%)	56 (19.6%)	32.6	766^th of 1138 public elementary schools	32.7%		32	802^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	30.9%	36	42.4	42.4	41.0	53.1	37.9	43.8	30.8	38.8	32.2	34.0	91.9	94.6	100.0	100.0	100.0	91.9	94.6	100.0	91.9	91.9	$21,566	$1,540	$20,026
Dower Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7817 Dower Rd West	Lakewood	98499	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 583-5240	337	22	15.6	74.5%	56 (16.6%)	83 (24.6%)	87 (25.8%)	16 (4.7%)	3 (0.9%)	47 (13.9%)	40 (11.9%)	13.8	979^th of 1138 public elementary schools	14.0%		11.2	1073^rd of 1160 public elementary schools	7.5%	94	28.6	28.6	31.3	20.0	38.1	29.8	40.6	22.5	11.9	23.7	86.8	88.7	92.5	92.5	92.5	90.6	98.1	90.6	90.6	90.6	$24,921	$1,845	$23,076
Park Lodge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6300 100th ST SW	Lakewood	98499	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 583-5350	363	28	12.8	78.5%	36 (9.9%)	62 (17.1%)	183 (50.4%)	9 (2.5%)	1 (0.3%)	11 (3.0%)	32 (8.8%)	9.8	1040^th of 1138 public elementary schools	8.6%		8.3	1110^th of 1160 public elementary schools	4.3%	70	25.4	25.4	14.0	26.2	36.7	25.8	17.0	29.2	13.3	20.1	93.0	94.7	100.0	100.0	100.0	94.7	98.3	98.3	94.7	94.7	$22,719	$2,821	$19,898
Idlewild Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10806 Idlewild Rd SW	Lakewood	98498	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 583-5290	380	25	15.0	51.6%	186 (48.9%)	44 (11.6%)	78 (20.5%)	14 (3.7%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	56 (14.7%)	51.6	525^th of 1138 public elementary schools	53.9%		26.5	877^th of 1160 public elementary schools	24.4%	352	67.2	67.2	59.4	42.9	50.8	50.8	57.1	32.9	35.8	41.5	95.1	96.7	96.7	96.7	96.7	95.1	96.7	96.7	95.1	95.1	$20,801	$1,295	$19,506
Four Heroes Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	9101 Lakewood Dr SW	Lakewood	98499	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 583-5340	541	38	14.1	84.7%	62 (11.5%)	64 (11.8%)	302 (55.8%)	19 (3.5%)	2 (0.4%)	43 (7.9%)	45 (8.3%)	15.3	961^st of 1138 public elementary schools	15.6%		21	958^th of 1160 public elementary schools	17.4%	3	31.4	31.4	36.1	28.1	36.3	33.6	31.4	16.9	21.8	23.2	93.3	96.6	96.6	96.6	96.6	94.4	96.6	96.6	94.4	94.4	$20,983	$2,570	$18,413
Chambers Elementary	Public	K-4	9101 56th Ave W	University Place	98467	Pierce County	University Place School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 566-5650	493	32	15.1	40.0%	224 (45.4%)	54 (11.0%)	88 (17.8%)	41 (8.3%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.6%)	77 (15.6%)	82.1	206^th of 1138 public elementary schools	81.9%		85.5	161^st of 1160 public elementary schools	86.1%	45			60.4	63.3		61.8	65.4	72.5		68.8	96.6	97.8	97.8	97.8	97.8	96.6	98.9	97.8	96.6	96.6	$18,135	$713	$17,421
Lake Louise Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11014 Holden Rd SW	Lakewood	98498	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 583-5310	450	32	13.8	69.6%	121 (26.9%)	59 (13.1%)	136 (30.2%)	21 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (8.0%)	77 (17.1%)	34.3	746^th of 1138 public elementary schools	34.4%		32.3	792^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	31.7%	46	37.2	37.2	36.9	44.7	52.6	45.2	43.1	42.1	26.9	37.0	86.1	89.5	93.0	93.0	93.0	89.5	88.4	90.7	88.4	89.5	$20,561	$1,797	$18,764
Lakeview Hope Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	10501 47th AVE SW	Lakewood	98499	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 583-5320	540	39	13.8	84.1%	59 (10.9%)	52 (9.6%)	271 (50.2%)	24 (4.4%)	1 (0.2%)	48 (8.9%)	50 (9.3%)	13.7	981^st of 1138 public elementary schools	13.8%		12.9	1051^st of 1160 public elementary schools	9.4%	70	28.2	28.2	31.4	25.3	29.4	28.5	31.4	28.7	23.5	27.7	89.7	95.9	94.9	94.9	94.9	90.7	95.9	94.9	90.7	90.7	$22,791	$2,358	$20,433
Manitou Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4330 S 66th St	Tacoma	98409	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 571-5300	429	22	19.2	76.0%	74 (17.2%)	94 (21.9%)	117 (27.3%)	28 (6.5%)	6 (1.4%)	31 (7.2%)	78 (18.2%)	9.5	1043^rd of 1138 public elementary schools	8.3%		10.9	1076^th of 1160 public elementary schools	7.2%	33	27.1	27.1	24.0	12.5	39.0	25.5	26.5	10.7	15.5	17.2	79.7	81.2	87.0	87.0	87.0	81.2	88.4	84.1	81.2	81.2	$21,532	$2,640	$18,892

Frequently Asked Questions about Custer Elementary School

Is Custer Elementary School a good school?

Custer Elementary School ranks 804^th of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Custer Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Custer Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Hudtloff Middle School
High : General William H. Harrison Preparatory School
High : Lakes High School

How many students attend Custer Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 358 students attended Custer Elementary School.

What district is Custer Elementary School in?

Clover Park School District

What is the racial makeup of Custer Elementary School?

Students at Custer Elementary School are 27% Hispanic, 25% White, 19% Two or more races, 15% African American, 5% Pacific Islander, 4% Asian, 4% Not Specified.

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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.