Simpson Avenue Elementary

Tucked into the small timber town of Montesano along the Chehalis River, Simpson Avenue Elementary punches well above its weight for a rural school, landing in the top third statewide with particularly strong science scores. Families who value a tight-knit community where teachers know kids by name — and where the surrounding forests and wetlands make for a genuinely hands-on connection to the natural world — will feel right at home here. Montesano itself has the quiet charm of a classic Western Washington mill town, and for families willing to trade the city bustle for that slower pace, Simpson Avenue offers solid academics to go along with it.