Average
#1701 of 2,228 schools in WA
Birney Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
7627 South Sheridan Ave, Tacoma, WA 98408
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,701 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#66 of 88
public schools
In district
#47 of 62
Tacoma School District
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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Birney Elementary School
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Baker Middle School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fern Hill Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Birney Elementary School
Birney Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Birney Elementary School serves approximately 489 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Birney Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,701 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Birney Elementary School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at Birney Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Birney Elementary School — Students at Birney Elementary School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.
How Birney Elementary School Compares
See how Birney Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
7627 South Sheridan Ave, Tacoma, WA 98408
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Birney Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lyon Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is James Sales Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VISITATION CATHOLIC STEM ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Edison Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| James Sales Elementary Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| VISITATION CATHOLIC STEM ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Whitman Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Lyon Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98408 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,855
Median Home Value
$379,400
Median Rent
$1,610/mo
Population
20,469
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
67.4%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
38.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Benson Hill Elementary School Renton, WA | 5.1 |
| Cedar Way Elementary Mtlk Terrace, WA | 5.1 |
| East Port Orchard Elementary Port Orchard, WA | 5.1 |
| Green Park Elementary School Walla Walla, WA | 5.1 |
| Karshner Elementary Puyallup, WA | 5.1 |
| Park Orchard Elementary School Kent, WA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Birney Elementary School
What grades does Birney Elementary School serve?
Birney Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Birney Elementary School?
Birney Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 489 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Birney Elementary School rank in WA?
Birney Elementary School ranks #1,701 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Birney Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Birney Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Birney Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Birney Elementary School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Birney Elementary School a charter school?
No, Birney Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Birney Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Birney Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Birney Elementary School?
75.7% of students at Birney Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 489
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.8%
- Phone
- (253) 571-4600
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #47 of 62
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