For the 2025 school year, there are 114 public schools serving 55,455 students in Tacoma, WA (there are , serving 5,775 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Tacoma, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Tacoma, WA are Lowell Elementary School, Browns Point Elementary School and Washington Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tacoma, WA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 53% statewide average). Schools in Tacoma have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Washington public schools.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public school average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Tacoma, WA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
810 Mr. Dahl Dr
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 571-7200
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 571-7200
Gr: K-5 | 333 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Browns Point Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1526 51st St Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-7600
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-7600
Gr: K-5 | 418 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2615 N. Adams Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5700
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 359 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #44.
Narrows View Intermediate
(Math: 70% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7813 44th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5630
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5630
Gr: 5-7 | 696 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4302 North 13th St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-4000
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-4000
Gr: PK-5 | 323 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
University Place Primary
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2708 W Grandview Dr
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5620
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5620
Gr: PK-4 | 520 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #77.
Beachwood Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8890 Concord Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Gr: PK-5 | 411 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #88.
Sherman Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4415 N 38th St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5488
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5488
Gr: K-5 | 424 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #99.
Downing Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5130 N. 26th Street
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7100
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7100
Gr: PK-5 | 283 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1010.
Evergreen Primary
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7102 40th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5680
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5680
Gr: PK-4 | 538 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1111.
Curtis Senior High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8425 40th W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5710
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5710
Gr: 10-12 | 1,303 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1212.
Grant Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2510 N 11th St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-5400
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-5400
Gr: K-5 | 376 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1313.
Sunset Primary
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4523 97th Ave W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5640
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5640
Gr: PK-4 | 545 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Crescent Heights Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4110 Nassau Ave Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-5500
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-5500
Gr: PK-5 | 496 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Point Defiance Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4330 N Visscher St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-6900
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-6900
Gr: K-5 | 300 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1616.
Science And Math Institute
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5501 N. Pearl St, Tacoma
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2300
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2300
Gr: 9-12 | 604 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1717.
Meriwether Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10285 Compass Ave
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5200
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5200
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1818.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
777 Elm Tree Ln
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 571-7500
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 571-7500
Gr: PK-3 | 320 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1919.
Tacoma Open Doors
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1818 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-3270
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-3270
Gr: 9-12 | 307 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 61:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2020.
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
16720 Waller Rd E
Tacoma, WA 98446
(253) 800-3000
Tacoma, WA 98446
(253) 800-3000
Gr: K-5 | 600 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2121.
Stadium High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
111 N E St
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 571-3100
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 571-3100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,609 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2222.
Rainier Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2410 Stryker Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Gr: PK-5 | 620 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2323.
Mason Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3901 N 28th St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-7000
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-7000
Gr: 6-8 | 608 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2424.
Curtis Junior High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3725 Grandview Drive West
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5670
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5670
Gr: 8-9 | 891 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2525.
Clover Creek Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
16715 36th Avenue East
Tacoma, WA 98446
(253) 800-7800
Tacoma, WA 98446
(253) 800-7800
Gr: K-5 | 635 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2626.
Geiger Montessori School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7401 S 8th St
Tacoma, WA 98465
(253) 571-6800
Tacoma, WA 98465
(253) 571-6800
Gr: PK-5 | 515 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2727.
N.e. Tacoma Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5412 29th St Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-6933
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-6933
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2828.
Special Services
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
601 S. 8th Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1224
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1224
Gr: PK-12 | 11 students Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2929.
The School At Pearl Youth Residence
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
815 South Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 396-5937
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 396-5937
Gr: 6-12 | 23 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #3030.
Fife High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5616 20th St E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1100
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1100
Gr: 10-12 | 864 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #3131.
Industrial Design Engineering And Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6701 S Park Ave
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-7906
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-7906
Gr: 9-12 | 382 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #3232.
Franklin Pierce High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11002 18th Ave E
Tacoma, WA 98445
(253) 298-3805
Tacoma, WA 98445
(253) 298-3805
Gr: 9-12 | 1,138 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3333.
Skyline Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6301 N. 23rd St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7800
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7800
Gr: PK-5 | 372 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #3434.
Meeker Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4402 Nassau Ave Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-6500
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-6500
Gr: 6-8 | 584 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #35 - 3735. - 37.
Bryant Montessori Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
717 S. Grant Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-2800
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-2800
Gr: 6-8 | 132 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Show 79 more public schools in Tacoma, WA (out of 114 total schools)
Loading...
Tacoma, Washington Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Centro Latino High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
3319 So Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Gr: 9-10 | 14 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Chs Drop-out Reengagement Program Elementary School (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
8425 40th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5600
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5600
Gr: 9-12
South Divison And Liggett
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Gr: PK-5 | 340 students Minority enrollment: 49%
Curtis Bridge Program High School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
8805 40th St W. Suite A
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5649
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5649
Gr: 9-12 | 47 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Day Reporting School (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
5501 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-2670
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-2670
Gr: 9-12 | 9 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
1301 E. 34th Street
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 722-5883
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 722-5883
Gr: 6-8 | 160 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Gates Open Doors Program High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
813 132nd St. S.
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-4000
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-4000
Gr: 9-12
1115 E Division Ln
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-1405
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-1405
Gr: 6-8 | 341 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
714 S 27th St
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-3273
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-3273
Gr: 9-12 | 33 students Minority enrollment: 60%
North Division And Idaho Ave
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Minority enrollment: 58%
Home Based (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
601 S 8th St
Tacoma, WA 98401
(253) 571-5100
Tacoma, WA 98401
(253) 571-5100
Gr: PK-12 | 242 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Learning Opportunity Center (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
5802 20th St East
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1135
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1135
Gr: 10-12 | 34 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
1801 E 56th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-2080
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-2080
Gr: 6-8 | 392 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
3702 East Mckinley Ave
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4340
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4340
Gr: PK-5
Metro Parks Program High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1818 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-1387
Gr: 9-11 | 12 students Minority enrollment: 33%
New Pathways Storefront School (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11110 Pacific Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 537-0211
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 537-0211
Gr: 7-12 | 129 students Minority enrollment: 21%
Northwest School Of Innovative Learning (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1321 Martin Luter King Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 945-2000
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 945-2000
Gr: 9 | 1 student
Oakland Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
3319 S Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Gr: 9-12 | 290 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Oakland Altr. High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
3319 S Adams
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Gr: 9-12 | 156 students Minority enrollment: 56%
Park Avenue Center (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
6701 South Park Ave
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-2600
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-2600
Gr: K-12 | 32 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
1818 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-3273
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-3273
Gr: 9-12 | 196 students Minority enrollment: 68%
Region V Learning Ce (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
1818 Tacoma Ave So
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-2191
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-2191
Gr: 9-11 | 36 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
4415 N 38th St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2255
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2255
Gr: PK-5 | 335 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Soar Academy Public Charter School (Closed 2020)
Charter School
1301 E 34th Street
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 444-6759
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 444-6759
Gr: K-8 | 220 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Soar Ale School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2136 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
(509) 258-4534
Tacoma, WA 98405
(509) 258-4534
Gr: K-8
Summit Olympus Ale School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
409 Puyallup Ave
Tacoma, WA 98421
(509) 258-4534
Tacoma, WA 98421
(509) 258-4534
Gr: 9-12
Tacoma Online (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
6501 N.23rd St.
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 948-6398
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 948-6398
Gr: K-12 | 1,655 student Minority enrollment: 69%
Trans Prog @ Oakland High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
3319 So Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-2645
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-2645
Gr: 9-12 | 23 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
University Place Special Education (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
3717 Grandview Drive W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5600
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5600
Gr: K-12
Urban League Tlc High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
3319 So Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Gr: 9-12 | 10 students
Washington Virtual Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2601 S. 35th St., Ste. 100
Tacoma, WA 98407
(866) 548-9444
Tacoma, WA 98407
(866) 548-9444
Gr: K-12
Wava High School (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
2601 S 35th Street Suite 100
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 964-1068
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 964-1068
Gr: 9-12 | 335 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Tacoma, WA?
The top ranked public schools in Tacoma, WA include Lowell Elementary School, Browns Point Elementary School and Washington Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Tacoma?
114 public schools are located in Tacoma.
What percentage of students in Tacoma go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Tacoma are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Tacoma?
Tacoma public schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public schools average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Tacoma are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Tacoma include: Perry G Keithley Middle School vs. Morris Ford Middle School, Geiger Montessori School vs. Bryant Montessori School, Edison Elementary School vs. Arlington Elementary School
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
