Best traditional public schools in Tacoma (2025)
District-run public schools. Ranked by the Success Index (US) from official American data; 76 schools in Tacoma, Washington. Rank positions shown on each profile are within United States and Washington.
- 181Lowell Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary84% Math proficiency · 331 students
- 278Sherman Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary69% Math proficiency · 432 students
- 376Browns Point Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary69% Math proficiency · 445 students
- 475Washington Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary67% Math proficiency · 383 students
- 573Point Defiance Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary66% Math proficiency · 301 students
- 671Jefferson Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary67% Math proficiency · 358 students
- 771Mason Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle57% Math proficiency · 639 students
- 869Naches Trail ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary69% Math proficiency · 519 students
- 968Skyline Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary67% Math proficiency · 329 students
- 1067Grant Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary57% Math proficiency · 378 students
- 1167Science and Math InstituteTacoma · Public High52% Math proficiency · 597 students
- 1266Stanley Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary62% Math proficiency · 325 students
- 1364Bryant Montessori Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle48.1% Free/reduced-price lunch · 135 students
- 1464Chester H Thompson ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary69% Math proficiency · 688 students
- 1564Crescent Heights Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary62% Math proficiency · 451 students
- 1662Bryant Montessori SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary49% Math proficiency · 313 students
- 1761Clover Creek ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary58% Math proficiency · 617 students
- 1861Downing Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary57% Math proficiency · 298 students
- 1959Stadium High SchoolTacoma · Public High45% Math proficiency · 1,700 students
- 2059N.E. Tacoma Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary62% Math proficiency · 418 students
- 2159Geiger Montessori SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary52% Math proficiency · 521 students
- 2257Fife High SchoolTacoma · Public High42% Math proficiency · 885 students
- 2356Central Avenue ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary45% Math proficiency · 355 students
- 2456Meeker Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle43% Math proficiency · 567 students
- 2555Industrial Design Engineering and ArtsTacoma · Public High32% Math proficiency · 392 students
- 2655Edison Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary57% Math proficiency · 413 students
- 2753Collins ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary46% Math proficiency · 466 students
- 2853James Sales ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary55% Math proficiency · 387 students
- 2953Franklin Pierce High SchoolTacoma · Public High44% Math proficiency · 977 students
- 3050Mann Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary46% Math proficiency · 340 students
- 3148Midland ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary43% Math proficiency · 399 students
- 3248Waller Road ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary37% Math proficiency · 306 students
- 3346Fern Hill Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary52% Math proficiency · 311 students
- 3446Hunt Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle48.4% Free/reduced-price lunch · 519 students
- 3546Brookdale ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary44% Math proficiency · 483 students
- 3646Dr. Dolores Silas High SchoolTacoma · Public High31% Math proficiency · 1,160 students
- 3745Fawcett Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary37% Math proficiency · 426 students
- 3844Wainwright Intermediate SchoolTacoma · Public Middle36% Math proficiency · 368 students
- 3944Katherine G. Johnson Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary54.9% Free/reduced-price lunch · 592 students
- 4044Tacoma School of the ArtsTacoma · Public High22% Math proficiency · 658 students
- 4144Truman Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle36% Math proficiency · 438 students
- 4243Delong Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary39% Math proficiency · 349 students
- 4343Lyon Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary42% Math proficiency · 381 students
- 4442Fife Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary60.3% Free/reduced-price lunch · 866 students
- 4542Helen Stafford Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary56% Math proficiency · 453 students
- 4641Harvard ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary42% Math proficiency · 445 students
- 4740Whittier Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary42% Math proficiency · 305 students
- 4840Whitman Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary37% Math proficiency · 365 students
- 4939Thompson PreschoolTacoma · Public Elementary55.1% Free/reduced-price lunch · 227 students
- 5039Washington High SchoolTacoma · Public High24% Math proficiency · 989 students
- 5139Franklin Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary32% Math proficiency · 260 students
- 5239Morris Ford Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle31% Math proficiency · 831 students
- 5337Larchmont Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary37% Math proficiency · 303 students
- 5437Reed Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary37% Math proficiency · 426 students
- 5535Boze Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary31% Math proficiency · 485 students
- 5634Lister Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary37% Math proficiency · 376 students
- 5734Hilltop Heritage Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle33% Math proficiency · 447 students
- 5834Sheridan Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary36% Math proficiency · 525 students
- 5934Foss High SchoolTacoma · Public High27% Math proficiency · 599 students
- 6033Blix Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary34% Math proficiency · 442 students
- 6133Manitou Park Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary36% Math proficiency · 429 students
- 6232Spanaway Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle28% Math proficiency · 766 students
- 6332Elmhurst Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary25% Math proficiency · 335 students
- 6431Birney Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary27% Math proficiency · 476 students
- 6531Christensen ElementaryTacoma · Public Elementary31% Math proficiency · 346 students
- 6631Baker Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle29% Math proficiency · 687 students
- 6730Stewart Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle30% Math proficiency · 650 students
- 6829Lincoln High SchoolTacoma · Public High23% Math proficiency · 1,556 students
- 6927Angelo Giaudrone Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle25% Math proficiency · 449 students
- 7027Perry G Keithley Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle23% Math proficiency · 804 students
- 7124Edna Travis Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary12% Math proficiency · 337 students
- 7223Gray Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle26% Math proficiency · 510 students
- 7321Arlington Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary22% Math proficiency · 390 students
- 7419Mount Tahoma High SchoolTacoma · Public High14% Math proficiency · 1,410 students
- 7519First Creek Middle SchoolTacoma · Public Middle17% Math proficiency · 584 students
- 7616Roosevelt Elementary SchoolTacoma · Public Elementary12% Math proficiency · 270 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (US) | Key result | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lowell Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 80.6 Top 10% | 84% Math proficiency | 331 |
| 2 | Sherman Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 77.6 Top 25% | 69% Math proficiency | 432 |
| 3 | Browns Point Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 76.0 Top 25% | 69% Math proficiency | 445 |
| 4 | Washington Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 75.2 Top 25% | 67% Math proficiency | 383 |
| 5 | Point Defiance Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 72.8 Top 25% | 66% Math proficiency | 301 |
| 6 | Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 71.0 Top 25% | 67% Math proficiency | 358 |
| 7 | Mason Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 70.7 Top 25% | 57% Math proficiency | 639 |
| 8 | Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 68.8 Top 25% | 69% Math proficiency | 519 |
| 9 | Skyline Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 68.2 Top 25% | 67% Math proficiency | 329 |
| 10 | Grant Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 67.1 Top 50% | 57% Math proficiency | 378 |
| 11 | Science and Math Institute Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 66.9 Top 25% | 52% Math proficiency | 597 |
| 12 | Stanley Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 66.4 Top 50% | 62% Math proficiency | 325 |
| 13 | Bryant Montessori Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 64.2 Top 50% | 48.1% Free/reduced-price lunch | 135 |
| 14 | Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 64.1 Top 50% | 69% Math proficiency | 688 |
| 15 | Crescent Heights Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 63.7 Top 50% | 62% Math proficiency | 451 |
| 16 | Bryant Montessori School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 61.5 Top 50% | 49% Math proficiency | 313 |
| 17 | Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 61.1 Top 50% | 58% Math proficiency | 617 |
| 18 | Downing Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 60.9 Top 50% | 57% Math proficiency | 298 |
| 19 | Stadium High School Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 59.2 Top 50% | 45% Math proficiency | 1,700 |
| 20 | N.E. Tacoma Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 58.7 Top 50% | 62% Math proficiency | 418 |
| 21 | Geiger Montessori School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 58.6 Top 50% | 52% Math proficiency | 521 |
| 22 | Fife High School Tacoma · High · Grades 10–12 | Public | 56.6 Top 50% | 42% Math proficiency | 885 |
| 23 | Central Avenue Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 55.9 Top 50% | 45% Math proficiency | 355 |
| 24 | Meeker Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 55.9 Top 50% | 43% Math proficiency | 567 |
| 25 | Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 54.8 Top 50% | 32% Math proficiency | 392 |
| 26 | Edison Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 54.5 Top 50% | 57% Math proficiency | 413 |
| 27 | Collins Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 53.1 Top 50% | 46% Math proficiency | 466 |
| 28 | James Sales Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 52.9 Top 50% | 55% Math proficiency | 387 |
| 29 | Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 52.8 Top 50% | 44% Math proficiency | 977 |
| 30 | Mann Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 50.4 Top 50% | 46% Math proficiency | 340 |
| 31 | Midland Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 48.0 Lower 50% | 43% Math proficiency | 399 |
| 32 | Waller Road Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–6 | Public | 47.7 Lower 50% | 37% Math proficiency | 306 |
| 33 | Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 46.4 Lower 50% | 52% Math proficiency | 311 |
| 34 | Hunt Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 46.2 Lower 50% | 48.4% Free/reduced-price lunch | 519 |
| 35 | Brookdale Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 45.9 Lower 50% | 44% Math proficiency | 483 |
| 36 | Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 45.8 Lower 50% | 31% Math proficiency | 1,160 |
| 37 | Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 45.0 Lower 50% | 37% Math proficiency | 426 |
| 38 | Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 4–8 | Public | 44.3 Lower 50% | 36% Math proficiency | 368 |
| 39 | Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 44.1 Lower 50% | 54.9% Free/reduced-price lunch | 592 |
| 40 | Tacoma School of the Arts Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 44.1 Lower 50% | 22% Math proficiency | 658 |
| 41 | Truman Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 43.5 Lower 50% | 36% Math proficiency | 438 |
| 42 | Delong Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 43.1 Lower 50% | 39% Math proficiency | 349 |
| 43 | Lyon Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 43.0 Lower 50% | 42% Math proficiency | 381 |
| 44 | Fife Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 42.2 Lower 50% | 60.3% Free/reduced-price lunch | 866 |
| 45 | Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 42.2 Lower 50% | 56% Math proficiency | 453 |
| 46 | Harvard Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 41.0 Lower 50% | 42% Math proficiency | 445 |
| 47 | Whittier Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–3 | Public | 40.2 Lower 50% | 42% Math proficiency | 305 |
| 48 | Whitman Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 39.5 Lower 50% | 37% Math proficiency | 365 |
| 49 | Thompson Preschool Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–K | Public | 39.2 Lower 50% | 55.1% Free/reduced-price lunch | 227 |
| 50 | Washington High School Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 38.8 Lower 50% | 24% Math proficiency | 989 |
| 51 | Franklin Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 38.7 Lower 50% | 32% Math proficiency | 260 |
| 52 | Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 38.7 Lower 50% | 31% Math proficiency | 831 |
| 53 | Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 36.9 Lower 50% | 37% Math proficiency | 303 |
| 54 | Reed Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 36.9 Lower 50% | 37% Math proficiency | 426 |
| 55 | Boze Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 34.8 Lower 50% | 31% Math proficiency | 485 |
| 56 | Lister Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 34.4 Lower 50% | 37% Math proficiency | 376 |
| 57 | Hilltop Heritage Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 34.2 Lower 50% | 33% Math proficiency | 447 |
| 58 | Sheridan Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 34.0 Lower 50% | 36% Math proficiency | 525 |
| 59 | Foss High School Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 33.6 Lower 50% | 27% Math proficiency | 599 |
| 60 | Blix Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 32.9 Lower 50% | 34% Math proficiency | 442 |
| 61 | Manitou Park Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 32.6 Lower 50% | 36% Math proficiency | 429 |
| 62 | Spanaway Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 31.8 Lower 50% | 28% Math proficiency | 766 |
| 63 | Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 31.7 Lower 50% | 25% Math proficiency | 335 |
| 64 | Birney Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 31.2 Lower 50% | 27% Math proficiency | 476 |
| 65 | Christensen Elementary Tacoma · Elementary · Grades K–5 | Public | 30.8 Lower 50% | 31% Math proficiency | 346 |
| 66 | Baker Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 30.5 Lower 50% | 29% Math proficiency | 687 |
| 67 | Stewart Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 30.4 Lower 50% | 30% Math proficiency | 650 |
| 68 | Lincoln High School Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 28.6 Lower 50% | 23% Math proficiency | 1,556 |
| 69 | Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 26.8 Lower 50% | 25% Math proficiency | 449 |
| 70 | Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 26.8 Lower 50% | 23% Math proficiency | 804 |
| 71 | Edna Travis Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 23.7 Lower 50% | 12% Math proficiency | 337 |
| 72 | Gray Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 23.3 Lower 50% | 26% Math proficiency | 510 |
| 73 | Arlington Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 21.0 Lower 50% | 22% Math proficiency | 390 |
| 74 | Mount Tahoma High School Tacoma · High · Grades 9–12 | Public | 19.3 Lower 50% | 14% Math proficiency | 1,410 |
| 75 | First Creek Middle School Tacoma · Middle · Grades 6–8 | Public | 18.7 Lower 50% | 17% Math proficiency | 584 |
| 76 | Roosevelt Elementary School Tacoma · Elementary · Grades PK–5 | Public | 16.0 Lower 50% | 12% Math proficiency | 270 |
Lowell Elementary School in Tacoma leads the 2025 list of traditional public schools in Tacoma with a Success Index (US) of 80.6. Of the 76 schools shown, 76 are public.
For the full picture see the wider Washington traditional public schools rankings, every school on the Tacoma page, or the comparison tool to put a shortlist side by side.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best public school in Tacoma?
Lowell Elementary School in Tacoma, Washington ranks first among traditional public schools in Tacoma with a Success Index (US) of 80.6 out of 100 (Enrollment: 331).
How are traditional public schools in Tacoma ranked?
Each school's Success Index (US) combines 4 factors: math proficiency (30%), reading proficiency (30%), community advantage (fewer free/reduced-price lunch) (25%), students per teacher (15%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type across United States. Schools with fewer than 60 students are excluded from rankings.
Are these 2025 rankings official?
No. They are computed by Success Tutoring from official American data (Urban Institute Education Data Portal (NCES CCD, EDFacts); NCES Common Core of Data). States set their own assessments and proficiency cut scores, so proficiency rates are most comparable within a state. Use the state rankings for like-for-like comparisons.