Tacoma School District

601 S 8th
Tacoma, WA 98401-1357
(District boundaries shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Tacoma School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Washington for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 31 public preschools serving 11,016 students in Tacoma School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Washington.
Public Preschools in Tacoma School District have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Washington public pre school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public preschool average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (WA)
# Schools
68 Schools
761 Schools
# Students
28,847 Students
270,540 Students
# Teachers
1,527 Teachers
16,823 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Tacoma School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 306 school districts in Washington (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 79% has decreased from 86% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (WA)
#189 out of 307 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
31%
41%
47%
53%
43%
49%
79%
84%
(2022-23)
46.1%
34.7%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.79
0.71
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
8%
10%
% Hispanic
24%
27%
% Black
12%
6%
% White
34%
44%
% Hawaiian
4%
2%
% Two or more races
17%
10%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,596 is higher than the state median of $18,889. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,975 is higher than the state median of $19,341. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (WA)
Total Revenue
$565 MM
$20,715 MM
Spending
$576 MM
$21,212 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,596
$18,889
Spending / Student
$19,975
$19,341

Best Tacoma School District Public Preschools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2615 N. Adams Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4302 North 13th St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-4000
Gr: PK-5 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #33.
Downing Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5130 N. 26th Street
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7100
Gr: PK-5 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #44.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
777 Elm Tree Ln
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 571-7500
Gr: PK-3 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #55.
Geiger Montessori School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
7401 S 8th St
Tacoma, WA 98465
(253) 571-6800
Gr: PK-5 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #66.
N.e. Tacoma Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5412 29th St Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-6933
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #77.
Special Services
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
601 S. 8th Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1224
Gr: PK-12 | 9 students Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #88.
Skyline Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6301 N. 23rd St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7800
Gr: PK-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Larchmont Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8601 E B St
Tacoma, WA 98445
(253) 571-6200
Gr: PK-5 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Mann Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1002 S 52nd St
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-6300
Gr: PK-5 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1111.
Delong Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4901 S 14 St St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1212.
Lyon Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
101 E 46th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4800
Gr: PK-5 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1313.
Stanley Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1712 S 17th St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-4500
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1414.
Bryant Montessori School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
717 S Grant Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-2800
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1515.
Fern Hill Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8442 S Park Ave
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-3888
Gr: PK-5 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1616.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1402 S Lawrence St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1400
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1717.
Boze Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1140 E 65th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4105
Gr: PK-5 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Edison Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5830 S Pine St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1700
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Fawcett Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
126 E. 60th Street
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4700
Gr: PK-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Whitman Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1120 S 39th St
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-7272
Gr: PK-5 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #2121.
Lister Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2106 E 44th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-2900
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2222.
Sheridan Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5317 E Mckinley Ave
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-5900
Gr: PK-5 | 525 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2323.
Reed Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1802 S 36th St
Tacoma, WA 98418
(253) 571-6464
Gr: PK-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Birney Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7627 South Sheridan Ave
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-4600
Gr: PK-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Manitou Park Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4330 S 66th St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-5300
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2626.
Helen Stafford Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1615 South 92nd St
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2727.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3550 E Roosevelt Ave
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4400
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2828.
Arlington Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7202 South Pine Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-3200
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2929.
Blix Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1302 E 38th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-7400
Gr: PK-5 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #3030.
Edna Travis Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2111 S J St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-4900
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
2708 N Union Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-1000
Gr: PK

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 68 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 28,847 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 67%
  • : 79% (Top 50% in WA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 31% (Btm 50%)
  • : 47% (Btm 50%)
  • : 43% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WA Dept. of Education

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