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Cottonwood Elementary School

Q: Is Cottonwood Elementary School a good school?

Cottonwood Elementary School ranks 139 th of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

139^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,138 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 88% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Cottonwood Elementary School is a K–5 public school in the West Valley area of Yakima, Washington, serving 362 students. It is part of the West Valley School District (Yakima), which ranks in the 66th percentile statewide. Cottonwood ranks even higher individually: 139th out of 1,138 Washington schools, placing it in the 88th percentile and earning a 4-star rating for 2025–2026. Its student-teacher ratio is 16.1:1, and 39.23% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–2025.

Academic results are a major strength. In 2025–2026, 71.75% of students were proficient in English language arts, 69.49% in math, and 69.39% in science—well above both district and state averages. Cottonwood ranked first among the nearby traditional West Valley schools in all three subjects. Its closest comparison is Apple Valley Elementary, located less than a mile away; Cottonwood ranked 29 places higher statewide and had slightly stronger overall results, especially in science. Cottonwood also outperformed Ahtanum Valley Elementary, Summitview Elementary, and Wide Hollow Elementary in the latest overall proficiency comparisons.

Recent progress is encouraging: math proficiency rose 9.49 points and science rose 12.72 points from the prior year. Third- and fourth-grade math were especially strong, reaching 71.88% and 78.13%, respectively. Fifth-grade math, at 55.10%, is the clearest area to monitor, although it remained above the district and state results and most nearby schools. Parents may also want to ask about special education supports, since that subgroup’s statewide ranking fell to the 50th percentile in 2024–2025 after a much higher result the year before. Overall, Cottonwood combines consistently strong ratings with broad achievement and notable recent gains.

362

Students ?

16.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,805

Per pupil spending ?

39.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1041 S 96th Ave
Yakima, WA 98908-9746

(509) 965-2052

District: West Valley School District (Yakima)

Students who attend Cottonwood Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	West Valley Mid-Level Campus
High:	West Valley High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

54.4%

Hispanic:

39.0%

Asian:

3.0%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Cottonwood Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 87th percentile in 2016 → 88th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Washington average (70% vs 48% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 12% of Washington elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in West Valley School District (Yakima)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school70%

District avg53%

Washington avg48%

139^th of 1,138

Washington public elementary schools ?

Top 12%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 5Elementary Schools in the West Valley School District (Yakima)

80^th of 238West Valley School District (Yakima) 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	88.0	139 of 1138	87.8%	★★★★☆
2025	74.1	271 of 1160	76.6%	★★★★☆
2024	85.2	160 of 1168	86.3%	★★★★☆
2023	78.6	236 of 1169	79.8%	★★★★☆
2022	83.1	185 of 1169	84.2%	★★★★☆
2021	80.7	197 of 1107	82.2%	★★★★☆
2019	82.1	182 of 1130	83.9%	★★★★☆
2018	77.1	234 of 1054	77.8%	★★★★☆
2017	73.9	263 of 1056	75.1%	★★★★☆
2016	84.9	141 of 1053	86.6%	★★★★☆
2015	72.0	266 of 1067	75.1%	★★★★☆
2013	72.9	266 of 1106	75.9%	★★★★☆
2012	79.8	156 of 1097	85.8%	★★★★☆
2011	60.2	426 of 1092	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	65.2	343 of 1088	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	76.9	186 of 1072	82.6%	★★★★☆
2008	74.7	218 of 1067	79.6%	★★★★☆
2007	63.4	387 of 1069	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2006	67.7	292 of 1051	72.2%	★★★★☆
2005	71.9	262 of 1031	74.6%	★★★★☆
2004	78.7	169 of 1026	83.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	89.4	95 of 1020	90.7%	★★★★★
2025	68.2	303 of 1092	72.3%	★★★★☆
2024	81.0	184 of 1093	83.2%	★★★★☆
2023	81.7	182 of 1094	83.4%	★★★★☆
2022	83.6	164 of 1100	85.1%	★★★★☆
2021	78.3	183 of 1008	81.8%	★★★★☆
2019	78.0	216 of 1068	79.8%	★★★★☆
2018	70.8	284 of 1004	71.7%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	81.2	48 of 649	92.6%	★★★★★
2025	68.6	167 of 659	74.7%	★★★★☆
2024	86.9	39 of 651	94.0%	★★★★★
2023	84.2	56 of 633	91.2%	★★★★★
2022	88.0	45 of 694	93.5%	★★★★★
2021	88.1	25 of 501	95.0%	★★★★★
2019	82.0	76 of 697	89.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	78.4	128 of 1008	87.3%	★★★★☆
2025	78.4	131 of 1013	87.1%	★★★★☆
2024	88.5	47 of 1024	95.4%	★★★★★
2023	72.2	212 of 1013	79.1%	★★★★☆
2022	77.2	120 of 1019	88.2%	★★★★☆
2021	67.1	190 of 854	77.8%	★★★★☆
2019	74.8	147 of 979	85.0%	★★★★☆
2018	76.2	110 of 835	86.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	85.7	146 of 1059	86.2%	★★★★☆
2025	78.0	207 of 1098	81.1%	★★★★☆
2024	88.1	114 of 1099	89.6%	★★★★☆
2023	72.9	269 of 1099	75.5%	★★★★☆
2022	80.6	201 of 1113	81.9%	★★★★☆
2021	77.5	218 of 1025	78.7%	★★★★☆
2019	84.7	148 of 1075	86.2%	★★★★☆
2018	81.1	169 of 999	83.1%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	49.3	182 of 363	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	74.6	51 of 339	85.0%	★★★★☆
2023	63.1	83 of 308	73.1%	★★★★☆
2022	75.5	68 of 478	85.8%	★★★★☆
2019	64.2	139 of 566	75.4%	★★★★☆
2018	94.2	21 of 637	96.7%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	78.8	190 of 1007	81.1%	★★★★☆
2024	80.3	173 of 1009	82.9%	★★★★☆
2023	76.2	230 of 1011	77.3%	★★★★☆
2022	82.2	151 of 1031	85.4%	★★★★☆
2021	80.0	158 of 943	83.2%	★★★★☆
2019	84.7	115 of 1027	88.8%	★★★★☆
2018	76.8	185 of 833	77.8%	★★★★☆

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 (2026)93rd percentile+5 vs school

Female (2026)91st percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)87th percentile~ school

Male (2026)86th percentile~ school

White (2025)81st percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2025)50th percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts72%+19 vs state

Math69%+26 vs state

Science69%+18 vs state

★

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Schools Near Cottonwood 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 8th 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 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th 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 7th Grade	SBAC Math 8th 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
Cottonwood Elementary School	Public	K-5	1041 S 96th Ave	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	West Valley School District (Yakima)	No	No	No	No	(509) 965-2052	362	22	16.1	39.2%	197 (54.4%)	2 (0.6%)	141 (39.0%)	11 (3.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.8%)	88	139^th of 1138 public elementary schools	87.8%		74.1	271^st of 1160 public elementary schools	76.6%	132	69.4		69.4	67.2	75.0	73.5				71.8	71.9	78.1	55.1				69.5	96.6	96.6	98.3	98.3	98.3	98.3	100.0	98.3	98.3	98.3	$16,805	$1,247	$15,558
West Valley Virtual Academy K-6	Public, Virtual	K-6	9206 Zier Road	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	West Valley School District (Yakima)	No	No	Yes	No	(509) 823-2602	28	0		53.6%	17 (60.7%)	1 (3.6%)	3 (10.7%)	3 (10.7%)	1 (3.6%)	3 (10.7%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																												$7,880	$90	$7,790
Apple Valley Elementary	Public	K-5	7 N 88th Avenue	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	West Valley School District (Yakima)	No	No	No	No	(509) 965-2060	447	26	17.1	42.3%	229 (51.2%)	3 (0.7%)	177 (39.6%)	8 (1.8%)	7 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.1%)	85.8	168^th of 1138 public elementary schools	85.2%		78.5	226^th of 1160 public elementary schools	80.5%	58	65.0		65.0	63.1	76.8	70.0				70.1	64.6	71.0	70.0				68.6	84.3	91.0	89.9	89.9	89.9	92.1	92.1	89.9	92.1	92.1	$16,344	$487	$15,858
Wide Hollow Elementary	Public	K-5	1000 S 72nd Ave	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	West Valley School District (Yakima)	No	No	No	No	(509) 965-2023	433	27	16.0	65.1%	169 (39.0%)	4 (0.9%)	226 (52.2%)	14 (3.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.2%)	58.2	448^th of 1138 public elementary schools	60.6%		66.1	364^th of 1160 public elementary schools	68.6%	84	63.5		63.5	43.2	51.6	62.2				52.1	48.2	45.3	52.7				48.9	92.9	94.6	94.6	94.6	94.6	94.6	92.9	94.6	94.6	94.6	$15,848	$373	$15,474
Summitview Elementary	Public	K-5	6305 W Chestnut Ave	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	West Valley School District (Yakima)	No	No	No	No	(509) 972-5540	475	29	16.1	66.5%	199 (41.9%)	2 (0.4%)	246 (51.8%)	5 (1.1%)	6 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.6%)	46.9	587^th of 1138 public elementary schools	48.4%		39.7	686^th of 1160 public elementary schools	40.9%	99	39.2		39.2	50.0	49.5	47.3				49.0	57.9	47.4	33.8				46.5	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.6	97.6	98.8	97.6	97.6	97.6	$15,110	$864	$14,246
Ahtanum Valley Elementary	Public	K-5	3006 S Wiley Rd	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	West Valley School District (Yakima)	No	No	No	No	(509) 965-2031	381	23	16.5	64.3%	207 (54.3%)	6 (1.6%)	152 (39.9%)	3 (0.8%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.6%)	68	331^st of 1138 public elementary schools	70.9%		71.8	296^th of 1160 public elementary schools	74.5%	35	43.1		43.1	62.1	74.2	60.0				65.3	68.7	72.6	30.8				57.2	94.6	94.6	96.4	96.4	96.4	94.6	98.2	96.4	94.6	94.6	$16,863	$480	$16,383
Whitney Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4411 W Nob Hill Blvd	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	Yakima School District	No	No	No	Yes	(509) 573-1900	433	27	15.8	81.1%	99 (22.9%)	4 (0.9%)	301 (69.5%)	9 (2.1%)	4 (0.9%)	2 (0.5%)	14 (3.2%)	24.5	863^rd of 1138 public elementary schools	24.2%		26.7	870^th of 1160 public elementary schools	25.0%	7	34.3		34.3	25.4	43.6	40.0				36.5	27.8	41.0	30.0				33.2	98.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	98.0	100.0	100.0	98.0	98.0	$21,271	$1,457	$19,815
Gilbert Elementary School	Public	K-5	4400 Douglas Dr	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	Yakima School District	No	No	No	Yes	(509) 573-5800	415	29	14.1	77.8%	113 (27.2%)	3 (0.7%)	282 (68.0%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (3.1%)	34.8	741^st of 1138 public elementary schools	34.9%		33.8	766^th of 1160 public elementary schools	34.0%	25	53.3		53.3	24.2	39.2	51.7				38.3	32.8	35.1	39.3				35.7	98.4	98.4	100.0	100.0	100.0	98.4	100.0	100.0	98.4	98.4	$22,633	$2,174	$20,459
Mountainview Elementary	Public	K-5	830 Stone Rd	Yakima	98908	Yakima County	West Valley School District (Yakima)	No	No	No	No	(509) 965-2070	238	16	15.2	55.0%	141 (59.2%)	0 (0.0%)	88 (37.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.4%)								(n/a)	59.6		59.6	61.1	65.1	50.0				58.3	52.8	60.5	42.6				51.6	93.0	93.0	97.7	97.7	97.7	93.0	93.0	95.4	93.0	93.0	$17,223	$589	$16,634
K-8 Virtual School	Public	1-8	610 N. 39th Avenue	Yakima	98902	Yakima County	Yakima School District	No	No	No	Yes	(509) 573-1080	122	1	122.0	87.7%	18 (14.8%)	2 (1.6%)	101 (82.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	2.3	1104^th of 1138 public elementary schools	3.0%					(n/a)	42.9	14.1	19.2			35.3	13.5	35.9	15.7	24.2						4.3	5.3											$8,196	$699	$7,497

Frequently Asked Questions about Cottonwood Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Cottonwood Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : West Valley Mid-Level Campus
High : West Valley High School

How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 362 students attended Cottonwood Elementary School.

Is Cottonwood Elementary School a good school?

Cottonwood Elementary School ranks 139^th of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Cottonwood Elementary School?

Students at Cottonwood Elementary School are 54% White, 39% Hispanic, 3% Asian, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Cottonwood Elementary School in?

West Valley School District (Yakima)

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresNewSep 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.