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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Tacoma Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 44 public preschools serving 16,756 students in Tacoma, WA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Tacoma, WA are Washington Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School and University Place Primary. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tacoma, WA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Washington public pre school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 50% statewide average). Pre schools in Tacoma have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Washington public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public preschool average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Tacoma, WA (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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
Chester H Thompson Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
303 159th St E
Tacoma, WA 98445
(253) 800-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 688 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1919.
Naches Trail Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
15505 Waller Road East
Tacoma, WA 98446
(253) 800-8700
Gr: PK-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
Evergreen Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
9020 Blaine Ave
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5250
Gr: PK-5 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #27 - 3027. - 30.
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: #27 - 3027. - 30.
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: #27 - 3027. - 30.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
61700 Garcia Blvd
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5280
Gr: PK-5 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #27 - 3027. - 30.
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: #3131.
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: #3232.
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: #3333.
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: #34 - 3534. - 35.
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: #34 - 3534. - 35.
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%
Show 9 more public schools in Tacoma, WA (out of 44 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Tacoma, WA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Tacoma, WA include Washington Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School and University Place Primary.
How many public preschools are located in Tacoma?
44 public preschools are located in Tacoma.
What is the racial composition of students in Tacoma?
Tacoma public preschools minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public preschools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Tacoma are often viewed compared to one another?

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