- Enrollment
- 1,161
- Students per teacher
- 16.6:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Lakewood, WA
Custer Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Custer Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 39/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 530141000251
👥 S:T ratio 25
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 28
📋 Attendance 34
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Custer Elementary School earns 39/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 71% of Washington schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Washington schools.
- #9 of 14
- schools in Lakewood · Resource Index
- 39
- Resource Index · Typical
- 18.8:1
- large classes for Washington
- 78.6%
- free-lunch eligible
Custer Elementary School has class sizes larger than 71% of Washington schools. Computed live against every Washington school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Custer Elementary School ranks #9 of 14 schools in Lakewood, WA.
School address
District: Clover Park School District · Washington
NCES ID 530141000251 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+14 students YoY
Custer Elementary School held near 313 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+14 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 19.7 → 18.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+14 students YoY 530141000251 · Lakewood, WA Other · SMALL · TRAD
358 enr · 18.8:1 · 78.6% lunch · RII 39
Nearest enrollment peer: Clover Park High School (1,161 students)
Custer Elementary School held near 313 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+14 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 19.7 → 18.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Washington schools → · Find another →
Custer Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Clover Park Hi
Clover Park High School
1,161 students
- Lakes High Sch
Lakes High School
1,158 students
- Thomas Middle
Thomas Middle School
934 students
- General Willia
General William H. Harrison Preparatory School
738 students
- Rainier Elemen
Rainier Elementary School
576 students
- This school 358
Custer Elementary School
358 students
What this shows Custer Elementary School reports 358 students on the CCD universe file.
How Custer Elementary School compares
Custer Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Washington and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Washington | Washington avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 18.8:1 | ▲ 7% | 17.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 78.6% | ▲ 75% | 45.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 358 | top 55% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
18.8:1
Leaner classes than 21% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
358
Bigger than 41% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
78.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 75% above the Washington average of 45.0%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
18.8:1
students per teacher
- 7% above state mean
Top 71% in Washington - lower ratio than 29% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
26.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$19,263
per pupil, district-wide
- below Washington avg of $20,912
Somewhat above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 358 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
3
in-school suspensions + 1 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.8 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.1 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 28.3%
White 26.2%
Two or More 19.8%
African American 15.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 5.5%
Asian 4.4%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 28.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 78.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 78.2, Custer Elementary School is more mixed than the Washington school average of 53.3.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Clover Park School District reports $19,263 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Custer Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover Park High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Lakes High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Thomas Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| General William H. Harrison Preparatory School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Rainier Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Custer Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,158
- Students per teacher
- 19.3:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
- Enrollment
- 934
- Students per teacher
- 19.5:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 738
- Students per teacher
- 19.4:1
- Resource Index
- 47/100
- Enrollment
- 576
- Students per teacher
- 18:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
Similar other schools in Lakewood
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
General William H. Harrison Preparatory School
Standard public school
738 students 19.4:1 students per teacher
Four Heroes Elementary
Standard public school
541 students 14.2:1 students per teacher
Lakeview Hope Academy
Standard public school
540 students 13.8:1 students per teacher
Lake Louise Elementary School
Standard public school
450 students 15:1 students per teacher
Tyee Park Elementary School
Standard public school
381 students 13.6:1 students per teacher
Idlewild Elementary School
Standard public school
380 students 15.2:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~358 students)
Frequently asked questions about Custer Elementary School
How many students attend Custer Elementary School?
Custer Elementary School has 358 students enrolled. It is a public school in Lakewood, WA. CCD year-over-year: 299 (2022-23) → 313 (2023-24), nearly flat (+14).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer Elementary School is 18.8:1, which is 7% higher than the Washington average of 17.6:1 and 20% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Custer Elementary School?
78.6% of students at Custer Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Washington average of 45.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Custer Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Custer Elementary School is Hispanic or Latino at 28.3% of enrollment, in Lakewood, WA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 78.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Custer Elementary School?
Custer Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 39/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Custer Elementary School rank among schools in Lakewood?
By Resource Investment Index, Custer Elementary School ranks #9 of 14 schools in Lakewood, WA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Lakewood on the city page.
What other schools are in Clover Park School District?
Besides Custer Elementary School, Clover Park School District also operates Clover Park High School (1,161 students), Lakes High School (1,158 students), and Thomas Middle School (934 students). See the Clover Park School District district page for the complete list.