Mill Pond Elementary School

Tucked into the small-town feel of Yelm, a rural community southeast of Olympia near the foothills of the Cascades, Mill Pond Elementary sits comfortably in the middle of the pack for Washington state schools — a solid neighborhood school with particular strength in English and science. Families drawn to a quieter, more rural lifestyle outside the bustle of Thurston County's bigger cities tend to appreciate Yelm's tight-knit community feel, and Mill Pond reflects that grounded, community-first spirit. It's a good fit for families looking for a stable, well-rounded elementary experience in a small-town setting where neighbors tend to know each other.