Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 98252

Elementary schools in ZIP code 98252 include two schools serving preschool through fifth grade in the Granite Falls area: Mountain Way Elementary serves PK–2, while Monte Cristo Elementary serves grades 3–5. Both are part of the Granite Falls School District and together enroll 1,058 students.

Mountain Way Elementary is the larger school, with 556 students compared with 502 at Monte Cristo Elementary. Mountain Way reports somewhat higher per-student spending—$17,928 versus $17,807—and a higher free or reduced-price lunch rate, 54.68% compared with 43.63%. Monte Cristo has the lower student-teacher ratio, 16.0 compared with 16.9. These schools form a grade-by-grade progression rather than serving the same students at the same time. Both share the district’s ranking of 157th out of 238 districts, or the 34th percentile. Mountain Way’s available historical rankings were stronger in 2012–2013 and 2014–2015 but declined by 2015–2016; current academic test results are not provided, so its present academic standing cannot be determined from this data.

Monte Cristo Elementary shows a mixed academic picture. Its 2025–2026 math proficiency was 36.08%, about 5.89 percentage points above the district, making math its strongest relative subject. Science improved substantially to 39.86%, while English language arts was 35.08%, below the district and state averages. Fifth grade was the clearest area of concern, with proficiency of 26.35% in math and 33.11% in ELA. The school’s ranking improved from the 17th to the 25th percentile most recently, though it remains below the statewide midpoint. Families comparing these schools should note that the available academic results apply only to Monte Cristo, not Mountain Way.