Arlington Elementary

Arlington Elementary sits in the northeast corner of Spokane, a part of the city that tends to fly under the radar compared to the trendier South Hill neighborhoods, and the school's scores reflect some of the real challenges families in this area face. That said, Spokane itself offers a lot — affordable housing, easy access to the outdoors, and a tight-knit community feel that's hard to find in bigger cities. Families drawn to this school are likely rooted in the neighborhood and looking for a school that's close to home, and those willing to supplement their kids' learning with outside resources may find it a workable fit.