Is Dower Elementary School a good school?

Dower Elementary School ranks in the bottom 16.5% of Washington elementary schools.

How many students attend Dower Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 289 students attended Dower Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Dower Elementary School?

Students at Dower Elementary School are 24% Hispanic, 24% White, 19% Two or more races, 18% African American, 9% Pacific Islander, 5% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Dower Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Dower Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Lochburn Middle School High : Clover Park High School High : General William H. Harrison Preparatory School

Dower Elementary School

Summary:

Dower Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Lakewood, Washington, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 289. The school is part of the Clover Park School District, which is ranked 183 out of 247 districts in Washington and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Dower Elementary School faces significant challenges in supporting the academic achievement of its diverse student population. The school consistently underperforms compared to state and district averages in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math proficiency, with only 28.89% of students proficient or better in ELA and 29.63% in Math, compared to statewide averages of 52.63% and 41.68%, respectively. Dower Elementary has a low statewide ranking, placing in the bottom quarter of Washington elementary schools, and struggles to support the academic achievement of various student subgroups, such as African American, Hispanic, and special education students. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, reaching 82.01% in the 2022-2023 school year, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When comparing Dower Elementary to other nearby schools in the Clover Park School District, it becomes clear that Dower is one of the lower-performing schools in the district. For example, Oakbrook Elementary and Custer Elementary, which are also in the Clover Park district, outperform Dower in both ELA and Math proficiency. Despite the relatively high per-student spending of $19,515 in the 2021-2022 school year and a low student-teacher ratio of 14 students per teacher, Dower Elementary School has consistently underperformed compared to state and district averages over the past several years, with little improvement in its statewide ranking or academic proficiency rates.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

7817 Dower Rd West
Lakewood, WA 98499-2333

(253) 583-5240

District: Clover Park School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
975^th of 1,168 Washington Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $19,515

Students who attend Dower Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Lochburn Middle School
High:	Clover Park High School
	General William H. Harrison Preparatory School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.0

Number of students: 289

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

24.2%

White:

23.9%

Two or more races:

19.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 82%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Dower Elementary School ranks worse than 83.5% of elementary schools in Washington. It also ranks 11^th among 16 ranked elementary schools in the Clover Park School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.66. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Dower Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (24.2%), White (23.9%), two or more races (19%). (See more...)

Compare Details 82% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Dower Elementary School is 14, which is the 5^th best among 16 elementary schools in the Clover Park School District. (See more...)

Compare Dower Elementary School employs 20.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Dower Elementary School is $19,515, which is the 5^th highest among 16 elementary schools in the Clover Park School District.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Dower Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Dower Elementary School 975^th of 1168 Washington public elementary schools. (See Dower Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

Clover Park School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Clover Park School District 183^rd of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Dower Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile
2004	69.25	271^st	1026	73.6%
2005	45.16	597^th	1031	42.1%
2006	19.69	920^th	1051	12.5%
2007	26.90	840^th	1069	21.4%
2008	32.71	770^th	1067	27.8%
2009	43.54	653^rd	1072	39.1%
2010	24.74	890^th	1088	18.2%
2011	38.44	727^th	1092	33.4%
2012	35.71	780^th	1097	28.9%
2013	43.00	682^nd	1106	38.3%
2015	31.35	777^th	1067	27.2%
2016	50.60	530^th	1053	49.7%
2017	33.99	725^th	1056	31.3%
2018	24.35	827^th	1054	21.5%
2019	35.08	766^th	1130	32.2%
2021	30.23	756^th	1107	31.7%
2022	24.22	908^th	1169	22.3%
2023	22.69	942^nd	1169	19.4%
2024	19.66	975^th	1168	16.5%

See the entire list of Washington Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2022	17.50	221^st	252	12.3%

See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	25.43	508^th	637	20.3%
2022	13.64	471^st	478	1.5%

See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile
2019	65.11	286^th	979	70.8%
2021	43.42	456^th	854	46.6%
2022	34.27	710^th	1019	30.3%
2023	35.53	692^nd	1013	31.7%
2024	36.87	681^st	1024	33.5%

See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	33.48	693^rd	1004	31.0%
2019	40.32	680^th	1068	36.3%
2021	18.74	857^th	1008	15.0%
2022	17.17	959^th	1100	12.8%
2023	15.91	962^nd	1094	12.1%
2024	15.03	972^nd	1093	11.1%

See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	19.81	847^th	999	15.2%
2019	33.70	735^th	1075	31.6%
2021	41.29	564^th	1025	45.0%
2022	30.67	774^th	1113	30.5%
2023	31.89	756^th	1099	31.2%
2024	29.50	780^th	1099	29.0%

See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2022	38.68	63^rd	108	41.7%

See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	26.90	431^st	540	20.2%
2019	40.75	425^th	697	39.0%
2022	42.14	379^th	694	45.4%

See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Dower Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	18.78	727^th	833	12.7%
2019	39.34	688^th	1027	33.0%
2021	44.28	517^th	943	45.2%
2022	26.09	816^th	1031	20.9%
2023	38.74	635^th	1011	37.2%
2024	30.77	739^th	1009	26.8%

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.

Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Friday, June 23, 2017

Our child attended Dower for two years. She had two great teachers, Ms.Fowler and Mrs. Whitaker. The only good things my we will take from the school is they do a great job teaching to be respectful! Other then that I absolutely hated the school. The pickup area is an accident waiting to happen. The office is not professional and they have attitudes in there at times which is not acceptable! MRS. Shattuck was always nice though. My daughter has severe allergies and was given food over 20 times that she should not have had. I got responses like "oh I forgot " and " I have so many kids to remember" well I tell ya what that is NOT an excuse! Instead of spending money on new computers that kids that young should not be in in the first place, maybe spend it in training the staff how to follow a care plan! And how to safely get kids to their cars at pick up! I have the simplest instruction...never give my child any food I will send any and all she needs with her. They couldn't even follow it. I worked in healthcare over 10 years and had to remember way more about my patients and I would have been fired had I given a patient foods they were not supposed to have. There is no excuse. The last straw was when she came home with a peanut bar. Be proud Dower staff, if she had eaten it she might not be here! We gave out home back and all the $$$ we put into it and moved her to a different district. When I called the district about all the issues the response was to homeschool my child. Um no! She has every right to a proper education just like all other kids. How about train your staff properly! This school also does not have music or art or anything fun! They make the kids run at their recess. Recess should be free play! They are too stuck on test scores but the way they run it is just hurting the kids. Wayyyyy too much homework. I am so glad we moved! Best decision ever! I do not recommend this school if your child has any food allergies or medical issues at all. And I do not recommend if your child has any learning issues. It pretty much sucked! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Dower Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	310	77	46	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	447
1989	340	68	47	16	7	n/a	n/a	0	478
1990	340	69	47	24	10	n/a	n/a	0	490
1991	357	76	50	23	13	n/a	n/a	0	519
1992	319	81	47	26	13	n/a	n/a	0	486
1993	327	76	45	21	11	n/a	n/a	0	480
1994	310	111	50	28	11	n/a	n/a	0	510
1995	277	99	51	26	16	n/a	n/a	0	469
1996	277	99	51	26	16	n/a	n/a	0	469
1997	230	84	39	39	6	n/a	n/a	0	398
1998	197	78	34	30	3	n/a	n/a	0	342
1999	161	87	34	29	3	n/a	n/a	0	314
2000	150	91	23	18	0	n/a	n/a	0	282
2001	143	63	28	29	4	n/a	n/a	0	267
2002	133	78	24	29	4	n/a	n/a	0	268
2003	133	78	24	29	4	n/a	n/a	0	268
2004	138	81	19	25	4	n/a	n/a	0	267
2005	141	73	28	31	6	n/a	n/a	0	279
2006	156	95	24	36	4	n/a	n/a	0	315
2007	125	63	22	22	3	n/a	n/a	11	246
2008	136	60	36	38	6	n/a	n/a	15	291
2009	125	62	34	37	5	n/a	n/a	33	296
2010	107	78	36	33	4	n/a	n/a	44	302
2011	101	59	27	57	5	9	39	0	297
2012	99	62	32	69	4	7	41	0	314
2013	93	64	24	67	2	10	42	0	302
2014	89	60	22	78	3	11	39	0	302
2015	82	54	22	79	2	18	52	0	309
2016	80	49	17	77	2	13	55	0	293
2017	73	53	12	76	2	16	60	0	292
2018	86	53	9	78	2	18	64	0	310
2019	91	36	9	87	1	15	59	0	298
2020	88	49	9	78	1	30	55	0	310
2021	74	46	10	79	0	23	52	0	284
2022	69	51	18	71	2	24	57	0	292
2023	69	52	15	70	2	25	55	1	289

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 Dower Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	447	20.0	22.3	0
1989	478	21.0	22.7	n/a
1990	490	22.1	22.1	0
1991	519	24.2	21.4	n/a
1992	486	24.2	20.0	n/a
1993	480	22.8	21.1	n/a
1994	510	22.9	22.3	n/a
1995	469	22.8	20.6	n/a
1996	469	22.8	20.6	n/a
1997	398	21.1	18.9	n/a
1998	342	17.6	19.4	n/a
1999	314	16.3	19.3	n/a
2000	282	13.5	20.9	n/a
2001	267	12.0	22.3	n/a
2002	268	15.5	17.3	65.3
2003	268	15.5	17.3	65.3
2004	267	14.0	19.1	62.5
2005	279	14.0	19.9	69.5
2006	315	15.5	20.3	70.5
2007	246	16.5	14.9	69.4
2008	291	14.0	20.8	85.1
2009	296	14.5	20.4	93.2
2010	302	17.6	17.1	101.6
2011	297	19.0	15.6	71.4
2012	314	17.9	17.4	74.8
2013	302	19.6	15.4	77.8
2014	302	n/a	n/a	79.8
2015	309	22.0	14.0	76.7
2016	293	20.0	14.6	79.5
2017	292	18.0	16.2	86
2018	310	20.5	15.1	68.1
2019	298	21.0	14.1	64.1
2020	310	22.5	13.7	83.9
2021	284	20.5	13.8	65.5
2022	292	20.0	14.6	71.6
2023	289	20.5	14.0	82

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 Dower Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	447	20.0	22.3	0
1989	478	21.0	22.7	n/a
1990	490	22.1	22.1	0
1991	519	24.2	21.4	n/a
1992	486	24.2	20.0	n/a
1993	480	22.8	21.1	n/a
1994	510	22.9	22.3	n/a
1995	469	22.8	20.6	n/a
1996	469	22.8	20.6	n/a
1997	398	21.1	18.9	n/a
1998	342	17.6	19.4	n/a
1999	314	16.3	19.3	n/a
2000	282	13.5	20.9	n/a
2001	267	12.0	22.3	n/a
2002	268	15.5	17.3	65.3
2003	268	15.5	17.3	65.3
2004	267	14.0	19.1	62.5
2005	279	14.0	19.9	69.5
2006	315	15.5	20.3	70.5
2007	246	16.5	14.9	69.4
2008	291	14.0	20.8	85.1
2009	296	14.5	20.4	93.2
2010	302	17.6	17.1	101.6
2011	297	19.0	15.6	71.4
2012	314	17.9	17.4	74.8
2013	302	19.6	15.4	77.8
2014	302	n/a	n/a	79.8
2015	309	22.0	14.0	76.7
2016	293	20.0	14.6	79.5
2017	292	18.0	16.2	86
2018	310	20.5	15.1	68.1
2019	298	21.0	14.1	64.1
2020	310	22.5	13.7	83.9
2021	284	20.5	13.8	65.5
2022	292	20.0	14.6	71.6
2023	289	20.5	14.0	82

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.

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