Sunset Elementary

Summary:

Sunset Elementary is a public elementary school located in Airway Heights, Washington, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 588. The school is part of the Cheney School District, which is ranked 113 out of 247 districts in Washington and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sunset Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Washington elementary schools for the past 8 years, with proficiency rates on state assessments (SBAC and WCAS) that are significantly below the Cheney School District and Washington state averages across all grades and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 19.79% of Sunset Elementary students were proficient or better in ELA and Math, compared to 45.24% and 34.97% for the Cheney School District, and 52.63% and 41.68% for the state. The school's diverse student population, with a higher percentage of minority students (45.41% non-White) and a larger proportion of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (74.32% free/reduced lunch recipients), may contribute to these academic challenges.

Despite the relatively high per-student spending ($16,456 in 2021-2022) and low student-teacher ratio of 14:1, Sunset Elementary has not been able to translate these resources into improved academic outcomes. In comparison, the nearby Windsor Elementary and Phil Snowdon Elementary, which are also part of the Cheney School District, demonstrate significantly higher academic performance, with proficiency rates that are 20-40 percentage points higher than Sunset Elementary across various subjects and grade levels. Schools outside the Cheney School District, such as Hallett Elementary and Michael Anderson Elementary, also outperform Sunset Elementary, further highlighting the academic challenges faced by the school.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 12824 W 12th St.
       Airway Heights, WA  99001-1869


(509) 559-4600

District: Cheney School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1117th of 1,168 Washington Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,456 Help


Students who attend Sunset Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Cheney Middle School
High:    Cheney High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.1 Help
Number of students:  588

Racial breakdown:

White:
54.6%
Hispanic:
18.7%
Pacific Islander:
10.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  74.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Sunset Elementary ranks worse than 95.6% of elementary schools in Washington. It also ranks last among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Cheney School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 7.75. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (54.6%), Hispanic (18.7%), Pacific Islander (10%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 74.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Cheney School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sunset Elementary is 14.1, which is the 2nd best among 5 elementary schools in the Cheney School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Sunset Elementary employs 41.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sunset Elementary is $16,456, which is the highest among 5 elementary schools in the Cheney School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sunset Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Sunset Elementary 1117th of 1168 Washington public elementary schools. (See Sunset Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Cheney School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Cheney School District 113th of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Sunset Elementary.

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Rank History for Sunset Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 24.27 838th 1026 18.3%
2005 15.50 919th 1031 10.9%
2006 30.48 794th 1051 24.5%
2007 37.51 728th 1069 31.9%
2008 33.02 769th 1067 27.9%
2009 39.59 708th 1072 34.0%
2010 50.02 557th 1088 48.8%
2011 43.85 639th 1092 41.5%
2012 41.82 689th 1097 37.2%
2013 34.67 780th 1106 29.5%
2015 35.36 721st 1067 32.4%
2016 13.25 953rd 1053 9.5%
2017 12.10 972nd 1056 8.0%
2018 13.13 962nd 1054 8.7%
2019 10.73 1054th 1130 6.7%
2021 21.92 855th 1107 22.8%
2022 12.12 1072nd 1169 8.3%
2023 8.67 1120th 1169 4.2%
2024 7.75 1117th 1168 4.4%
See the entire list of Washington Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.87 459th 637 27.9%
2019 27.37 436th 566 23.0%
2021 44.74 92nd 158 41.8%
2022 18.87 443rd 478 7.3%
2023 14.82 289th 308 6.2%
2024 7.32 336th 339 0.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.13 785th 835 6.0%
2019 14.23 925th 979 5.5%
2021 24.10 697th 854 18.4%
2022 15.09 956th 1019 6.2%
2023 7.52 991st 1013 2.2%
2024 8.93 988th 1024 3.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.33 928th 1004 7.6%
2019 9.74 1014th 1068 5.1%
2021 27.84 733rd 1008 27.3%
2022 17.73 951st 1100 13.5%
2023 10.84 1029th 1094 5.9%
2024 7.34 1066th 1093 2.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.94 888th 999 11.1%
2019 13.05 979th 1075 8.9%
2021 17.04 886th 1025 13.6%
2022 7.93 1079th 1113 3.1%
2023 7.03 1075th 1099 2.2%
2024 8.88 1055th 1099 4.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.44 485th 540 10.2%
2019 30.36 523rd 697 25.0%
2021 22.90 421st 501 16.0%
2022 18.78 633rd 694 8.8%
2024 26.59 504th 651 22.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 6.73 809th 833 2.9%
2019 6.72 997th 1027 2.9%
2021 14.95 846th 943 10.3%
2022 7.22 1010th 1031 2.0%
2023 6.85 988th 1011 2.3%
2024 4.49 1000th 1009 0.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Sunset Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Open Quote The counselor refuses to see my daughter. She has been left behind with no help from the school to bring her back up to grade level. The school doesn't like parent volunteers and the kids are mean. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Sunset Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 319 4 16 4 8 n/a n/a 0 351
1989 315 8 10 8 7 n/a n/a 0 348
1990 288 7 15 6 6 n/a n/a 0 322
1991 307 8 19 8 0 n/a n/a 0 342
1992 310 8 19 18 5 n/a n/a 0 360
1993 344 7 15 7 8 n/a n/a 0 381
1994 333 13 18 7 20 n/a n/a 0 391
1995 261 11 8 9 17 n/a n/a 0 306
1996 261 11 8 9 17 n/a n/a 0 306
1997 299 7 13 10 10 n/a n/a 0 339
1998 281 11 11 18 15 n/a n/a 0 336
1999 267 6 12 21 7 n/a n/a 0 313
2000 276 8 12 16 11 n/a n/a 0 323
2001 272 12 12 15 14 n/a n/a 0 325
2002 258 17 16 8 15 n/a n/a 0 314
2003 258 17 16 8 15 n/a n/a 0 314
2004 261 12 20 10 16 n/a n/a 0 319
2005 249 17 21 12 20 n/a n/a 0 319
2006 240 22 19 18 15 n/a n/a 3 317
2007 270 20 17 27 17 n/a n/a 5 356
2008 309 19 27 25 23 n/a n/a 4 407
2009 307 29 26 29 28 n/a n/a 4 423
2010 300 18 24 30 32 n/a n/a 25 429
2011 293 17 17 37 25 1 28 0 418
2012 299 17 19 47 19 1 35 0 437
2013 340 17 10 48 18 3 36 0 472
2014 254 12 10 39 18 1 28 0 362
2015 261 11 12 42 17 6 32 0 381
2016 272 13 8 44 18 14 30 0 399
2017 299 12 14 46 18 19 32 0 440
2018 305 7 17 65 17 15 34 0 460
2019 326 11 14 86 29 26 57 0 549
2020 331 16 13 90 27 35 52 0 564
2021 303 19 20 81 22 36 52 0 533
2022 303 23 21 92 19 51 53 0 562
2023 321 16 17 110 19 59 46 0 588

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sunset Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 351 18.0 19.5 0
1989 348 17.0 20.4 n/a
1990 322 16.5 19.5 0
1991 342 16.5 20.7 n/a
1992 360 17.0 21.1 n/a
1993 381 18.5 20.6 n/a
1994 391 21.6 18.1 n/a
1995 306 18.5 16.5 n/a
1996 306 18.5 16.5 n/a
1997 339 19.1 17.7 n/a
1998 336 18.4 18.3 n/a
1999 313 18.9 16.6 n/a
2000 323 20.9 15.5 n/a
2001 325 19.9 16.3 n/a
2002 314 24.5 12.8 70.1
2003 314 24.5 12.8 70.1
2004 319 22.0 14.5 70.2
2005 319 22.5 14.2 73.7
2006 317 21.5 14.7 64.3
2007 356 23.0 15.5 63.8
2008 407 27.5 14.8 74.7
2009 423 27.5 15.4 72.6
2010 429 31.7 13.5 82.4
2011 418 31.3 13.3 69.4
2012 437 26.6 16.3 73.9
2013 472 31.6 14.9 72.5
2014 362 n/a n/a 70.7
2015 381 28.0 13.6 67.2
2016 399 26.0 15.3 68.9
2017 440 28.9 15.2 68.4
2018 460 32.3 14.2 66.7
2019 549 32.5 16.8 69.9
2020 564 39.9 14.1 74.8
2021 533 37.9 14.0 66.8
2022 562 40.0 14.0 62.6
2023 588 41.4 14.1 74.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Sunset Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 351 18.0 19.5 0
1989 348 17.0 20.4 n/a
1990 322 16.5 19.5 0
1991 342 16.5 20.7 n/a
1992 360 17.0 21.1 n/a
1993 381 18.5 20.6 n/a
1994 391 21.6 18.1 n/a
1995 306 18.5 16.5 n/a
1996 306 18.5 16.5 n/a
1997 339 19.1 17.7 n/a
1998 336 18.4 18.3 n/a
1999 313 18.9 16.6 n/a
2000 323 20.9 15.5 n/a
2001 325 19.9 16.3 n/a
2002 314 24.5 12.8 70.1
2003 314 24.5 12.8 70.1
2004 319 22.0 14.5 70.2
2005 319 22.5 14.2 73.7
2006 317 21.5 14.7 64.3
2007 356 23.0 15.5 63.8
2008 407 27.5 14.8 74.7
2009 423 27.5 15.4 72.6
2010 429 31.7 13.5 82.4
2011 418 31.3 13.3 69.4
2012 437 26.6 16.3 73.9
2013 472 31.6 14.9 72.5
2014 362 n/a n/a 70.7
2015 381 28.0 13.6 67.2
2016 399 26.0 15.3 68.9
2017 440 28.9 15.2 68.4
2018 460 32.3 14.2 66.7
2019 549 32.5 16.8 69.9
2020 564 39.9 14.1 74.8
2021 533 37.9 14.0 66.8
2022 562 40.0 14.0 62.6
2023 588 41.4 14.1 74.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

Sunset Elementary

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YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussisMeaslesMumpsRubellaTetanus
201676.3%0.0%1.7%3.4%89.8%88.1%89.8%83.1%89.8%88.1%
201794.9%0.0%0.0%0.0%1.3%96.2%96.2%97.4%94.9%96.2%96.2%
201879.2%0.0%0.0%2.8%2.8%83.3%83.3%86.1%80.6%81.9%83.3%
201969.6%0.0%0.0%4.5%0.9%75.0%75.0%81.3%75.9%77.7%75.0%
202089.7%1.2%1.2%5.8%0.0%94.3%90.8%96.6%94.3%90.8%95.4%95.4%95.4%90.8%
202193.6%1.1%2.1%0.0%1.1%95.7%95.7%97.9%94.7%95.7%97.9%97.9%97.9%95.7%
202282.8%3.0%2.0%1.0%1.0%90.9%86.9%92.9%86.9%86.9%88.9%88.9%88.9%86.9%
202390.8%1.3%0.0%2.6%1.3%93.4%94.7%97.4%93.4%93.4%94.7%94.7%94.7%94.7%
202488.7%3.8%0.0%0.9%0.9%93.4%91.5%94.3%91.5%91.5%94.3%94.3%94.3%91.5%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health

Immunization Rates (Entire school)

Sunset Elementary

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201982.6%0.0%0.0%2.1%98.7%98.5%98.7%98.1%98.3%98.5%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sunset Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $846 (6.2%) $12,731 (93.8%) $13,577
2020 $1,317 (10.8%) $10,822 (89.2%) $12,139
2021 $388 (2.7%) $14,240 (97.4%) $14,627
2022 $837 (5.1%) $15,619 (94.9%) $16,456

Data source: Washington Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sunset Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1054th of 1130 Elementary schoolsRanks 1120th of 1169 Elementary schools
 2.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Elementary)34.521.1
 13.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cheney School District)54.445.7
 8.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Washington)56.348.9
 7.4%
3rd Grade Math (Sunset Elementary)39.128
 11.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Cheney School District)52.949.7
 3.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Washington)5951.6
 7.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Elementary)31.120.5
 10.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Cheney School District)60.345.4
 14.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)57.750.1
 7.6%
4th Grade Math (Sunset Elementary)32.919.3
 13.6%
   4th Grade Math (Cheney School District)60.344.6
 15.7%
   4th Grade Math (Washington)54.949.4
 5.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Elementary)37.324.7
 12.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Cheney School District)54.847.7
 7.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)61.353.8
 7.6%
5th Grade Math (Sunset Elementary)26.718.1
 8.6%
   5th Grade Math (Cheney School District)42.137.1
 5%
   5th Grade Math (Washington)49.142
 7.1%
5th Grade Science (Sunset Elementary)25.325
 0.3%
   5th Grade Science (Cheney School District)49.746.4
 3.3%
   5th Grade Science (Washington)54.152.3
 1.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Sunset Elementary)34.321.9
 12.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Cheney School District)55.546.7
 8.7%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Sunset Elementary)33.221.7
 11.5%
   All Grades Math (Cheney School District)46.534.6
 11.9%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Sunset Elementary)25.325
 0.3%
   All Grades Science (Cheney School District)5044.9
 5.1%
   All Grades Science (Washington)52.748.8
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students549588
 7.1%
African American1116
 45.5%
American Indian2919
 34.5%
Asian1417
 21.4%
Hispanic86110
 27.9%
Pacific Islander2659
 126.9%
White326321
 1.5%
Two or More Races5746
 19.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.9%74.3%
 4.4%


Schools Near Sunset Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Sunset Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 588 students attended Sunset Elementary.

Students who attend Sunset Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Cheney Middle School
High : Cheney High School

Students at Sunset Elementary are 55% White, 19% Hispanic, 10% Pacific Islander, 8% Two or more races, 3% American Indian, 3% Asian, 3% African American.

Sunset Elementary ranks in the bottom 4.4% of Washington elementary schools.


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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.





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