Ridgecrest Elementary School
Puyallup, WA 98374
Phone: (253) 841-8753
District: Puyallup School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades KG,1,2,3,4,5,6 • 438 students
Ridgecrest Elementary School, a public school located in Puyallup, WA, serves grades K-6 in the Puyallup School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 7 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Ridgecrest Elementary School is a public school located in Puyallup, WA. 438 students attend Ridgecrest Elementary School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 8/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Smarter Balanced Assessment data from Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and using 2025 Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science data from Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. |
| Student Growth | 5/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. |
Posted: October 10, 2025
Great elementary school with an engaged staff, leadership and wonderful PTA. The teaching is high quality across the board with caring, kind teachers and support staff. Wonderful example of public education done well and certainly amongst the higher echelon of Puyallup elementary schools.
Posted: October 10, 2025
Posted: October 10, 2025
Posted: October 10, 2025
Posted: October 10, 2025
Posted: October 10, 2025
Posted: October 10, 2025
Posted: October 10, 2025
Posted: March 10, 2025
Posted: March 10, 2025
Posted: March 10, 2025
Posted: March 10, 2025
Posted: March 10, 2025
Posted: March 10, 2025
Posted: March 10, 2025
Posted: March 10, 2025
Very involved leadership, PTA and subsequently, parents tend to be very involved in ensuring the school is run in a fair, positive manner that best meets the needs of the students. My children all did great while attending Ridgecrest elementary. Great neighborhood school!
Posted: March 11, 2022
During the 4th grade "health" video. The teacher decided to show a video about sex. It was not listed on the form and not supposed to be shown. This was not only a moral issue but legal. Parents were not informed of this by the school AT ALL. the children who thought they were just watching a "your body is changing" video were SCARED. the principle only cares what her "numbers and reputation " look like. She doesn't handle situations.
Obviously this will be an issue for the district and state. I wouldn't trust all the teachers at that school-or the principle to handle situations appropriately. It's all about how she looks on paper
Posted: March 11, 2022
Posted: March 11, 2022
Posted: March 11, 2022
Posted: March 11, 2022
Posted: March 11, 2022
Posted: March 11, 2022
Posted: March 11, 2022
Posted: March 23, 2021
Not only is this the only Puyallup school to be a National Blue Ribbon school for all of its incredible academic achievements, the climate and culture at Ridgecrest is far beyond all the other dozens of schools that I, a military member and military dependent growing up, have ever dealt with. So caring, and kind, and they teach the whole child, every one of them. Highly recommend!!
Posted: March 23, 2021
Posted: March 23, 2021
Posted: March 23, 2021
Posted: March 23, 2021
Posted: March 23, 2021
Posted: March 23, 2021
Posted: March 23, 2021
Posted: August 21, 2020
Posted: August 21, 2020
There isnt a weak link at this school. The teachers are phenomenal! Caring, firm, consistent, with high expectations. We have had the best experience!
Posted: August 21, 2020
Posted: August 21, 2020
Dr Fox goes above and beyond to make parents feel heard, to make students feel welcome and to create a sense of community within the building.
Posted: August 21, 2020
Posted: August 21, 2020
There is a zero tolerance policy. My childs concerns were handled quickly and effectively.
Posted: August 21, 2020
My children have attended other schools in the Puyallup SD. Ridgecrest is by far and above the best. The climate of the school, the expectations and the care they show is like none other.
Posted: February 7, 2020
Ridgecrest is a wonderful South Hill Puyallup elementary school that offers a very involved PTA and outstanding teachers. The school staff is communicative and willing to work with parents. Parents should be more understanding with how difficult it is to run a classroom and a school. Teachers work very hard to educate and provide a safe learning environment for children.
Posted: February 7, 2020
Teachers are involved and work closely with students to ensure they have a positive learning environment. If there is an issue with the amount of homework students have, that's on the parents.
Posted: February 7, 2020
Teachers are already over-worked and under-paid, so the fact that they teach an entire classroom of children is outstanding. They teach and inspire children to become functioning adolescents.
Posted: February 7, 2020
Posted: February 7, 2020
Dr. Fox is very involved and makes every effort to work with bullying issues, parent parking troubles, classroom functionality, and school events. I have seen some school leaders take a back seat in how they run schools. I feel that Dr. Fox is quick to respond to emails and correspondences.
Posted: February 7, 2020
Posted: February 7, 2020
Posted: May 28, 2019
Posted: May 28, 2019
Posted: May 28, 2019
The principal, Dr. Fox does poorly communicating with parents and dealing with "troubled" students. She also struggles with negative feedback from parents and feels that she knows everything.
Posted: May 28, 2019
Posted: May 28, 2019
Posted: May 28, 2019
I am very disappointed in this school. While the teachers are wonderful, the principal is going to be the downfall of the school. Her know it all, better than you, attitude greatly affects the children and I really think leads to far less involved parents. She obviously plays favorites with parents and it shows
Posted: May 28, 2019
Posted: March 2, 2017
I have 5 children that were enrolled at this school and 3 currently still attending. The staff, principal and teachers are all nice and my children love it there. When needed, my children receive as close to one on one help. They make learning fun and know exactly how to keep the children engaged in their education. Thank You everyone at Ridgecrest. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.
Posted: March 2, 2017
Posted: March 2, 2017
Posted: March 2, 2017
Posted: March 2, 2017
Posted: March 2, 2017
Posted: March 2, 2017
Posted: July 1, 2015
Posted: July 1, 2015
Posted: July 1, 2015
I went to Ridgecrest and I was horrible at math until I got there and they worked with me and I finally understood math. The teachers here take the time to help and keep it fun in the process.
Posted: July 1, 2015
The teachers are wonderful here, they do their job and work with students and make it a fun learning experience to keep the kids engaged! I hope that my children will get to go here just like I did.
Posted: December 21, 2014
Moved my children from another south hill school, so glad we did such a better experience. My kids love going to school
Posted: December 15, 2014
Love love this school We moved from another school in south hill and we LOVE Ridgecrest! thank you Mrs Jensen and Mrs Mcdonald!!!!
Posted: April 27, 2014
This school is outstanding. The staff and teachers show true concern for the students welfare and expand their learning capabilities.
Posted: March 1, 2014
It's my sons 4th year and I have nothing bad to say at all I love ridgecrest he will be there till he finishes elementary
Posted: December 19, 2013
I have been a teacher at Ridgecrest for 7 years now. Having substituted in the Puyallup School District at all the schools, I have to say that Ridgecrest is one of the most welcoming and caring schools. We are a small school which makes it nice to really get to know our students and families. There isn't a lot of turn-over here, meaning, students who start school in kindergarten are likely to still be here in 6th grade. As far as teachers go, once you get hired at Ridgecrest, you don't want to leave. Most teachers remain here until they retire. We have very good test scores and we make sure that each child gets the instruction that is needed. Students who need extra help with reading and math are provided with daily support. Our PTA puts on wonderful activities such as "Harvest Festival," "Make it/Take It" (Christmas crafts), roller skating parties, BINGO night, movie night, and more! Another reviewer mentioned that there are no field trips. We would love to have field trips, but the district limits this. We used to all be able to go to Karshner Museum, but this is now only being offered to 3rd graders. Come by Ridgecrest and see for yourself. We are a great school! Go Raiders!
Posted: June 26, 2013
The teachers here do great work and have helped my children in any area that needs special attention (like my sons speech) and extra help if they are behind in their learning and what they should know. The only downside is both my kindergartener and 1st grader didn't get one field trip during the whole year. (im assuming its the funds not that the school didn't want to) And there was no kindergarten graduation party or ceremony. So like I said the teachers are great! But the school doesn't have the extra fun activities my kids experienced the previous school year in a different district.
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gem Heights | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Puyallup | WA | 3.5 mi | |
| 2 | Silver Creek | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Puyallup | WA | 4.5 mi | |
| 3 | Lost Creek | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Graham | WA | 5.2 mi | |
| 4 | Stadium District | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Tacoma | WA | 12.5 mi | |
| 5 | Hawaiian Village | Apartment Complex | Lakewood | WA | 13.7 mi | |
| 6 | North End | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Tacoma | WA | 13.8 mi | |
| 7 | westridge apartments | Apartment Complex | Tacoma | WA | 15.5 mi | |
| 8 | Clocktower | Neighborhood/Subdivision | DuPont | WA | 18.4 mi | |
| 9 | The Carriages at Fairwood Downs | Apartment Complex | Renton | WA | 21.6 mi | |
| 10 | Tahoma Meadows | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Yelm | WA | 21.9 mi | |
| 11 | Avonlea | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Lacey | WA | 28.3 mi | |
| 12 | Woodsmuir | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Olympia | WA | 28.9 mi | |
| 13 | McCormick Woods | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Port Orchard | WA | 32 mi | |
| 14 | The Ridge at McCormick Woods | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Port Orchard | WA | 32.3 mi | |
| 15 | Manette | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Bremerton | WA | 33.9 mi | |
| 16 | Kitsap Lake | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Bremerton | WA | 36.2 mi | |
| 17 | Blueberry Meadows | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Bremerton | WA | 37.3 mi | |
| 18 | Fairway Lane | Apartment Complex | Bremerton | WA | 37.7 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Diamond | Black Diamond | WA | 16.7 mi | |
| 2 | Maple Valley | Maple Valley | WA | 18.3 mi | |
| 3 | Stonegate | Olympia | WA | 28.2 mi | |
| 4 | Downtown Seattle | Seattle | WA | 32.2 mi | |
| 5 | Port Orchard | Port Orchard | WA | 32.8 mi | |
| 6 | Bainbridge Island | Bainbridge Island | WA | 35.7 mi | |
| 7 | East Bremerton | Bremerton | WA | 38.1 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| McChord AFB | 11.2 mi. |
| Fort Lewis | 14.8 mi. |
| Coast Guard Seattle | 31.3 mi. |
| Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton | 34.3 mi. |
| Naval Base Kitsap Bangor | 45.1 mi. |
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