Cottonwood Elementary

Summary:

Cottonwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Kennewick, Washington, serving 455 students in grades K-5. The school consistently ranks among the top 10-15% of elementary schools in the state, with a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and strong academic performance that exceeds the Kennewick School District and the state of Washington.

Cottonwood Elementary's academic excellence is evident in its high standardized test scores, with 75.31% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 48.97% for the district and 52.63% for the state. The school also consistently ranks among the top in Washington for the performance of specific student subgroups, such as female students, male students, white students, and students with special needs. This suggests that Cottonwood has effective teaching practices and support systems in place to ensure student success.

While Cottonwood Elementary's academic performance is impressive, the school's student population is relatively homogeneous, with 80% of students identifying as white and only 23.08% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. This raises questions about the school's ability to serve a diverse student population and address the unique needs of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. When compared to other elementary schools in the Richland School District, Cottonwood stands out as a top performer, but some nearby schools, such as Edison Elementary and Fuerza Elementary, have significantly lower academic performance and higher percentages of students from low-income backgrounds.


Detail:

Public K-5

 16734 S. Cottonwood Creek Blvd
       Kennewick, WA  99338


(509) 222-6404

District: Kennewick School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
111th of 1,168 Washington Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,806 Help


Students who attend Cottonwood Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Desert Hills Middle School
High:    Kamiakin High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  455

Racial breakdown:

White:
80.0%
Hispanic:
10.3%
Two or more races:
7.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  23.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cottonwood Elementary ranks better than 90.5% of elementary schools in Washington. It also ranks first among 17 ranked elementary schools in the Kennewick School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 90.05. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (80%), Hispanic (10.3%), two or more races (7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 23.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Kennewick School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 15.9. 10 elementary schools in the Kennewick School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Cottonwood Elementary employs 28.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cottonwood Elementary is $16,806, which is the 8th highest among 17 elementary schools in the Kennewick School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Cottonwood Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Cottonwood Elementary 111th of 1168 Washington public elementary schools. (See Cottonwood 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:


Kennewick School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Kennewick School District 135th of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Cottonwood Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Cottonwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2013 89.72 56th 1106 94.9%
2015 93.24 49th 1067 95.4%
2016 91.86 57th 1053 94.6%
2017 90.67 78th 1056 92.6%
2018 88.81 97th 1054 90.8%
2019 89.13 101st 1130 91.1%
2021 85.57 151st 1107 86.4%
2022 91.88 81st 1169 93.1%
2023 91.24 102nd 1169 91.3%
2024 90.05 111th 1168 90.5%
See the entire list of Washington Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Cottonwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 87.15 50th 637 92.2%
2019 72.94 98th 566 82.7%
2022 92.59 21st 478 95.6%
2024 84.49 29th 339 91.4%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Cottonwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.02 55th 835 93.4%
2021 73.92 133rd 854 84.4%
2022 95.92 7th 1019 99.3%
2023 97.19 6th 1013 99.4%
2024 80.37 108th 1024 89.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Cottonwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.87 100th 1004 90.0%
2019 85.87 118th 1068 89.0%
2021 82.44 157th 1008 84.4%
2022 90.73 85th 1100 92.3%
2023 87.33 118th 1094 89.2%
2024 87.21 121st 1093 88.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Cottonwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.18 86th 999 91.4%
2019 89.07 96th 1075 91.1%
2021 86.61 133rd 1025 87.0%
2022 91.67 76th 1113 93.2%
2023 93.45 60th 1099 94.5%
2024 87.70 116th 1099 89.4%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Cottonwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 80.54 81st 651 87.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Cottonwood Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.90 94th 833 88.7%
2019 83.39 132nd 1027 87.1%
2021 81.31 145th 943 84.6%
2022 88.94 74th 1031 92.8%
2023 89.73 73rd 1011 92.8%
2024 86.11 101st 1009 90.0%
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.

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






Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Cottonwood Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2011 455 10 9 43 10 0 0 0 527
2012 491 15 11 29 9 0 2 0 557
2013 503 16 7 35 6 0 9 0 576
2014 568 12 6 26 5 0 10 0 627
2015 599 10 7 26 5 0 13 0 660
2016 607 12 12 57 2 1 24 0 715
2017 616 6 7 54 0 2 26 0 711
2018 644 12 6 64 0 1 27 0 754
2019 384 14 4 42 0 1 25 0 470
2020 413 4 7 42 0 1 26 0 493
2021 362 4 7 44 0 1 22 0 440
2022 354 3 5 48 0 0 28 0 438
2023 364 6 5 47 1 0 32 0 455

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 Cottonwood Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2011 527 22.5 23.4 13.3
2012 557 24.9 22.2 11.8
2013 576 24.6 23.3 14.4
2014 627 n/a n/a 12.1
2015 660 32.0 20.6 16.7
2016 715 31.0 23.0 17.2
2017 711 34.0 20.8 0
2018 754 34.0 22.1 17
2019 470 28.4 16.5 14.9
2020 493 29.5 16.7 16.6
2021 440 28.5 15.4 15.9
2022 438 30.0 14.6 16.7
2023 455 28.5 15.9 23.1

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 Cottonwood Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2011 527 22.5 23.4 13.3
2012 557 24.9 22.2 11.8
2013 576 24.6 23.3 14.4
2014 627 n/a n/a 12.1
2015 660 32.0 20.6 16.7
2016 715 31.0 23.0 17.2
2017 711 34.0 20.8 0
2018 754 34.0 22.1 17
2019 470 28.4 16.5 14.9
2020 493 29.5 16.7 16.6
2021 440 28.5 15.4 15.9
2022 438 30.0 14.6 16.7
2023 455 28.5 15.9 23.1

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

Cottonwood Elementary

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussisMeaslesMumpsRubellaTetanus
201696.6%1.1%1.1%0.0%97.7%97.7%96.6%96.6%97.7%97.7%
201794.4%0.0%1.9%0.9%2.8%97.2%97.2%96.3%95.3%95.3%97.2%
201896.4%0.0%0.9%0.0%2.7%97.3%97.3%97.3%96.4%97.3%97.3%
201986.2%0.0%1.7%0.0%3.5%98.3%96.6%98.3%98.3%98.3%96.6%
202198.7%1.3%0.0%0.0%0.0%98.7%98.7%98.7%98.7%98.7%98.7%98.7%98.7%98.7%
202291.5%3.4%3.4%0.0%3.4%93.2%94.9%98.3%91.5%94.9%94.9%94.9%94.9%94.9%
202391.9%1.6%1.6%0.0%1.6%93.6%93.6%95.2%93.6%93.6%93.6%93.6%93.6%93.6%
202486.4%8.5%0.0%0.0%1.7%86.4%86.4%93.2%88.1%86.4%88.1%88.1%88.1%86.4%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health

Immunization Rates (Entire school)

Cottonwood Elementary

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201991.4%0.4%0.9%3.0%97.0%97.0%96.6%95.9%96.8%97.0%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Cottonwood Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $643 (4.8%) $12,748 (95.2%) $13,392
2020 $201 (1.9%) $10,220 (98.1%) $10,420
2021 $1,125 (7.0%) $15,053 (93.0%) $16,179
2022 $1,675 (10.0%) $15,131 (90.0%) $16,806

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Cottonwood 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 101st of 1130 Elementary schoolsRanks 102nd of 1169 Elementary schools
 0.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Elementary)76.168.2
 7.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Kennewick School District)52.744.6
 8.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Washington)56.348.9
 7.4%
3rd Grade Math (Cottonwood Elementary)78.970.5
 8.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Kennewick School District)55.345.5
 9.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Washington)5951.6
 7.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Elementary)85.480.6
 4.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Kennewick School District)54.542.1
 12.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)57.750.1
 7.6%
4th Grade Math (Cottonwood Elementary)75.379.1
 3.8%
   4th Grade Math (Kennewick School District)44.640.9
 3.6%
   4th Grade Math (Washington)54.949.4
 5.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Elementary)84.678.4
 6.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Kennewick School District)59.349.6
 9.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)61.353.8
 7.6%
5th Grade Math (Cottonwood Elementary)66.776
 9.3%
   5th Grade Math (Kennewick School District)41.335.5
 5.9%
   5th Grade Math (Washington)49.142
 7.1%
5th Grade Science (Cottonwood Elementary)76.976.7
 0.2%
   5th Grade Science (Kennewick School District)47.846.2
 1.6%
   5th Grade Science (Washington)54.152.3
 1.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Cottonwood Elementary)82.475.1
 7.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Kennewick School District)5849.7
 8.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Cottonwood Elementary)73.574.8
 1.3%
   All Grades Math (Kennewick School District)4335.3
 7.7%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Cottonwood Elementary)76.976.7
 0.2%
   All Grades Science (Kennewick School District)46.143.2
 2.9%
   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 Students470455
 3.2%
African American146
 57.1%
American Indian01
Asian45
 25%
Hispanic4247
 11.9%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White384364
 5.2%
Two or More Races2532
 28%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients14.9%23.1%
 8.2%


Schools Near Cottonwood Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Cottonwood Elementary

Students who attend Cottonwood Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Desert Hills Middle School
High : Kamiakin High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 455 students attended Cottonwood Elementary.

Yes. Cottonwood Elementary ranks in the top 9.5% of Washington elementary schools.

Students at Cottonwood Elementary are 80% White, 10% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 1% African American, 1% Asian.


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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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