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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Tacoma Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 108 public schools serving 49,452 students in Tacoma, WA (there are 30 private schools, serving 5,837 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Tacoma, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
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 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Tacoma, WA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
810 Mr. Dahl Dr
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 571-7200
Gr: K-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #22.
Browns Point Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1526 51st St Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-7600
Gr: K-5 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
Narrows View Intermediate
(Math: 70% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7813 44th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5630
Gr: 5-7 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
University Place Primary
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2708 W Grandview Dr
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5620
Gr: PK-4 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #77.
Beachwood Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8890 Concord Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #88.
Sherman Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4415 N 38th St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5488
Gr: K-5 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #99.
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: #1010.
Evergreen Primary
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7102 40th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5680
Gr: PK-4 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1111.
Curtis Senior High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8425 40th W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5710
Gr: 10-12 | 1,321 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1212.
Grant Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2510 N 11th St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-5400
Gr: K-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1313.
Sunset Primary
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4523 97th Ave W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5640
Gr: PK-4 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Crescent Heights Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4110 Nassau Ave Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-5500
Gr: K-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Point Defiance Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4330 N Visscher St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-6900
Gr: K-5 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1616.
Science And Math Institute
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5501 N. Pearl St, Tacoma
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2300
Gr: 9-12 | 597 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1717.
Meriwether Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10285 Compass Ave
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5200
Gr: PK-5 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1818.
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: #1919.
Tacoma Open Doors
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1818 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-3270
Gr: 9-12 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 78:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2020.
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
16720 Waller Rd E
Tacoma, WA 98446
(253) 800-3000
Gr: K-5 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2121.
Stadium High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
111 N E St
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 571-3100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,700 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2222.
Rainier Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2410 Stryker Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Gr: PK-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2323.
Mason Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3901 N 28th St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-7000
Gr: 6-8 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2424.
Curtis Junior High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3725 Grandview Drive West
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5670
Gr: 8-9 | 904 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2525.
Clover Creek Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
16715 36th Avenue East
Tacoma, WA 98446
(253) 800-7800
Gr: K-5 | 617 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2626.
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: #2727.
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: #2828.
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: #2929.
The School At Pearl Youth Residence
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
815 South Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 396-5937
Gr: 6-12 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3030.
Fife High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5616 20th St E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1100
Gr: 10-12 | 885 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #3131.
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: #3232.
Franklin Pierce High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
11002 18th Ave E
Tacoma, WA 98445
(253) 298-3805
Gr: 9-12 | 977 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3333.
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: #3434.
Meeker Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4402 Nassau Ave Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-6500
Gr: 6-8 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #35 - 3735. - 37.
Bryant Montessori Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
717 S. Grant Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-2800
Gr: 6-8 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Show 73 more public schools in Tacoma, WA (out of 108 total schools)
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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?
108 public schools are located in Tacoma.
What percentage of students in Tacoma go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Tacoma are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Tacoma?
Tacoma public schools minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public schools average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Tacoma are often viewed compared to one another?

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