For the 2026 school year, there are 29 public preschools serving 12,999 students in Thurston County, WA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Thurston County, WA are Pioneer Elementary School, Centennial Elementary School and Mckenny Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Thurston County, WA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Washington public pre school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Thurston County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Washington public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public preschool average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Thurston County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pioneer Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1655 Carlyon Ave Se
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 596-6500
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 596-6500
Gr: PK-5 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #22.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2637 45th Ave Se
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 596-8300
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 596-8300
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #33.
Mckenny Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3250 Morse Merryman Rd Se
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 596-8400
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 596-8400
Gr: PK-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #44.
Boston Harbor Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7300 Zangle Rd Ne
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-6200
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-6200
Gr: PK-5 | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #55.
East Olympia Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8700 Rich Road
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 709-7150
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 709-7150
Gr: PK-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #66.
Mill Pond Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
909 Mill Road Se
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-3400
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Meadows Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
836 Deerbrush Dr Se
Olympia, WA 98513
(360) 412-4690
Olympia, WA 98513
(360) 412-4690
Gr: PK-5 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #88.
Michael T Simmons Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1205 2nd Avenue Sw
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 709-7100
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 709-7100
Gr: PK-5 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #99.
Mckenna Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
35120 Sr 507 S
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-2400
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-2400
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1010.
Littlerock Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
12710 Littlerock Rd Sw
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 709-7250
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 709-7250
Gr: PK-5 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1111.
Griffin School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6530 33rd Ave Nw
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 866-2515
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 866-2515
Gr: PK-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1212.
Peter G Schmidt Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
237 Dennis Street Se
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 709-7200
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 709-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1313.
South Bay Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3845 Sleater Kinney Rd Ne
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 412-4640
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 412-4640
Gr: PK-5 | 595 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1414.
Rainier Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 W 3rd
Rainier, WA 98576
(360) 446-4020
Rainier, WA 98576
(360) 446-4020
Gr: PK-5 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1515.
Woodland Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4630 Carpenter Rd Se
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 412-4680
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 412-4680
Gr: PK-5 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1616.
Pleasant Glade Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1920 Abernethy Rd Ne
Olympia, WA 98516
(360) 412-4620
Olympia, WA 98516
(360) 412-4620
Gr: PK-5 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1717.
Julia Butler Hansen Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1919 Road Sixty Five Nw
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 596-7400
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 596-7400
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1818.
Yelm Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
16535 110th Ave. Se
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-6261
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-6261
Gr: PK-5 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1919.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1225 Legion Way Se
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 596-6300
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 596-6300
Gr: PK-5 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2020.
Southworth Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13849 Yelm Hwy Se
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-2500
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-2500
Gr: PK-5 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2121.
Mclane Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 Delphi Rd Sw
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 596-6600
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 596-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2222.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1900 College St Se
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 412-4630
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 412-4630
Gr: PK-5 | 776 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2323.
Fort Stevens Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
16525 100th Way Se
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-4800
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-4800
Gr: PK-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2424.
Seven Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Seven Oaks Dr Se
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 412-4700
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 412-4700
Gr: PK-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
325 Plymouth St Nw
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 596-6900
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 596-6900
Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Tumwater Hill Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3120 Ridgeview St Sw
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 709-7300
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 709-7300
Gr: PK-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2727.
Lackamas Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
16240 Bald Hill Rd
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 894-6000
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 894-6000
Gr: PK-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
301 Central Avenue
Tenino, WA 98589
(360) 264-3800
Tenino, WA 98589
(360) 264-3800
Gr: PK-2 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
7440 James Rd
Rochester, WA 98579
(360) 273-5161
Rochester, WA 98579
(360) 273-5161
Gr: PK-2 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Thurston County, WA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Thurston County, WA include Pioneer Elementary School, Centennial Elementary School and Mckenny Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Thurston County?
29 public preschools are located in Thurston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Thurston County?
Thurston County public preschools minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public preschools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Thurston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Thurston County include: Southworth Elementary School vs. Mill Pond Elementary School, Seven Oaks Elementary School vs. Woodland Elementary School, Rainier Elementary School vs. Mill Pond Elementary School
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