- Salish Middle School — 1.8 mi · Grades 6–8 · 745 students
- South Bay Elementary — 2.5 mi · Grades PK–5 · 595 students
- Olympic View Elementary — 2.8 mi · Grades K–5 · 552 students
- Pleasant Glade Elementary — 3.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 559 students
- River Ridge High School — 3.4 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,547 students
- Lydia Hawk Elementary — 3.6 mi · Grades K–5 · 496 students
- Nisqually Middle School — 3.6 mi · Grades 6–8 · 789 students
- Chinook Middle School — 3.7 mi · Grades 6–8 · 746 students
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| Metric | North Thurston Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 15,119 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 24 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,370/yr | $17,619/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Thurston Public Schools (this district) | 7/10 | 60th | 15,119 |
| Olympia School District | 9/10 | 83rd | 9,633 |
| Steilacoom Historical School District | 9/10 | 82nd | 3,098 |
| Peninsula School District | 10/10 | 92nd | 8,969 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 242 rated districts in WA → 60th percentile → 7/10.
Source: Washington OSPI SBAC ELA & Math, Meets/Exceeds Standard, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About North Thurston Public Schools
North Thurston Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 98516 in Olympia, Washington. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 98516. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
With a rating of 7/10 (above average), North Thurston Public Schools ranks among Washington’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Washington’s SBAC ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Washington is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
North Thurston Public Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Washington. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 98516
Children in zip code 98516 are assigned to North Thurston Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 98516, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact North Thurston Public Schools at (360)412-4400 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Washington districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Olympia
For families considering a purchase in the Olympia area, district assignment matters financially. Because North Thurston Public Schools serves zip code 98516, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 98516 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Washington, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support North Thurston Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 98516.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with North Thurston Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 98516 data.