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Best Public Schools in 98444 (Tacoma, WA) (2026)

Best 98444 Washington Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 4,897 students in 98444, WA (there are 6 private schools, serving 399 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in 98444, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in 98444, WA are Industrial Design Engineering And Arts, James Sales Elementary School and Collins Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Public schools in zipcode 98444 have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 53% statewide average). Schools in 98444, WA have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Washington public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).

Best 98444, WA Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Industrial Design Engineering And Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6701 S Park Ave
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-7906
Gr: 9-12 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #22.
James Sales Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1301 113th Street S
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-4205
Gr: K-5 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #33.
Collins Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1920 128th Street E
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-3405
Gr: K-5 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
Brookdale Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
611 132nd St S.
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-3105
Gr: K-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #66.
Washington High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
12420 Ainsworth Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-4705
Gr: 9-12 | 989 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
Christensen Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
10232 Barnes Lane S
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-3305
Gr: K-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #99.
Perry G Keithley Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
12324 12th Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-4307
Gr: 6-8 | 804 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
12223 S A Street
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-4675
Gr: PK | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 Minority enrollment: 77%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in 98444, WA?
How many public schools are located in 98444?
10 public schools are located in 98444.
What percentage of students in 98444 go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in 98444 are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in 98444?
98444 public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public schools average of 53% (majority Hispanic).

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