- Enrollment
- 2,087
- Students per teacher
- 24.8:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Graham, WA
Nelson Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Nelson Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 49/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 530048003288
👥 S:T ratio 53
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 1
📋 Attendance 71
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Nelson Elementary School earns 49/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 90% of Washington schools.
- #3 of 6
- elementary schools in Graham · Resource Index
- 49
- Resource Index · Higher
- 11.8:1
- small classes for Washington
- 35.6%
- free-lunch eligible
Nelson Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 90% of Washington schools. Computed live against every Washington school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Nelson Elementary School ranks #3 of 6 elementary schools in Graham, WA.
School address
District: Bethel School District · Washington
NCES ID 530048003288 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+32 students YoY
Nelson Elementary School held near 739 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+32 headcount).
Teacher FTE held 42.0 → 41.9 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+32 students YoY 530048003288 · Graham, WA Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
497 enr · 11.8:1 · 35.6% lunch · RII 49
Nearest enrollment peer: Graham Kapowsin High School (2,087 students)
Nelson Elementary School held near 739 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+32 headcount). Teacher FTE held 42.0 → 41.9 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Washington schools → · Find another →
Nelson Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Graham Kapowsi
Graham Kapowsin High School
2,087 students
- Spanaway Lake
Spanaway Lake High School
1,787 students
- Bethel High Sc
Bethel High School
1,688 students
- Liberty Middle
Liberty Middle School
857 students
- Spanaway Middl 766
Spanaway Middle School
766 students
- This school 497
Nelson Elementary School
497 students
What this shows Nelson Elementary School reports 497 students on the CCD universe file.
How Nelson Elementary School compares
Nelson 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 | 11.8:1 | ▼ 33% | 17.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 35.6% | ▼ 21% | 45.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 497 | top 31% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
11.8:1
Leaner classes than 77% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
497
Bigger than 61% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
35.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 21% below the Washington average of 45.0%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
11.8:1
students per teacher
- 33% below state mean
Top 10% in Washington - lower ratio than 90% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
11.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$15,370
per pupil, district-wide
- below Washington avg of $20,912
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 497 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 12 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.4 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 57.9%
Two or More 17.5%
Hispanic or Latino 14.3%
African American 4.2%
Asian 3.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 2.0%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%
Largest group: White at 57.9% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 61.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 61.0, Nelson Elementary School is more mixed than the Washington school average of 53.3.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Bethel School District reports $15,370 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Nelson Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Kapowsin High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Spanaway Lake High School | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Bethel High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Liberty Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Spanaway Middle School | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Nelson Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,787
- Students per teacher
- 23.5:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
- Enrollment
- 1,688
- Students per teacher
- 21.4:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
- Enrollment
- 857
- Students per teacher
- 20.9:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
- Enrollment
- 766
- Students per teacher
- 22.5:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
Similar elementary schools in Graham
5 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Centennial Elementary
Standard public school
540 students 15.4:1 students per teacher
North Star Elementary
Standard public school
446 students 13.9:1 students per teacher
Rocky Ridge Elementary
Standard public school
430 students 13.9:1 students per teacher
Graham Elementary
Standard public school
428 students 13:1 students per teacher
Kapowsin Elementary
Standard public school
321 students 14.6:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary 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 (~497 students)
Frequently asked questions about Nelson Elementary School
How many students attend Nelson Elementary School?
Nelson Elementary School has 497 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Graham, WA. CCD year-over-year: 707 (2022-23) → 739 (2023-24), nearly flat (+32).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Elementary School is 11.8:1, which is 33% lower than the Washington average of 17.6:1 and 25% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Nelson Elementary School?
35.6% of students at Nelson Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Washington average of 45.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Nelson Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Nelson Elementary School is White at 57.9% of enrollment, in Graham, WA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 61.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Nelson Elementary School?
Nelson Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 49/100 (higher 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 Nelson Elementary School rank among elementary schools in Graham?
By Resource Investment Index, Nelson Elementary School ranks #3 of 6 elementary schools in Graham, WA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Graham on the city page.
What other schools are in Bethel School District?
Besides Nelson Elementary School, Bethel School District also operates Graham Kapowsin High School (2,087 students), Spanaway Lake High School (1,787 students), and Bethel High School (1,688 students). See the Bethel School District district page for the complete list.