Average
#1002 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 45% in state
Birney Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
7627 South Sheridan Ave, Tacoma, WA 98408
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
489
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#38 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#722 of 1,202
In district
#29 of 62
Tacoma School District
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Birney Elementary School
Birney Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Birney has an enrollment of 489 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting places it within the heart of a mid-size city, offering students a vibrant urban environment.
Birney Elementary School focuses on fostering a supportive learning community where every child can grow and develop. While the academic performance data shows room for improvement—MySchoolScout ranks the school at 4.6 out of 10, with state rankings placing it in the 36th percentile—the school is dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes through targeted support and innovative teaching methods. Test scores reveal that 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 23% in math, and 37% in science.
Birney Elementary School sits in an area known for its diverse community and urban atmosphere, providing a rich context for learning beyond the classroom walls.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Birney Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Birney Elementary School — Students at Birney Elementary School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
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 13 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: 7.3/10.
How Birney Elementary School Compares
See how Birney Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 21.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27.8% (2024).
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. James Sales Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is VISITATION CATHOLIC STEM ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fern Hill Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.6 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Edison Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| 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 | 8.7 |
| VISITATION CATHOLIC STEM ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Whitman Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Lyon Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Birney Elementary School has a median household income of $78,855. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $379,400, with a median rent of $1,610/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY Bellevue, WA | 6.6 |
| Fidalgo Elementary Anacortes, WA | 6.6 |
| Garfield Elementary School Olympia, WA | 6.6 |
| John D. Bud Hawk Elementary at Jackson Park Bremerton, WA | 6.6 |
| Kellogg Marsh Elementary School Marysville, WA | 6.6 |
| Kitsap Lake Elementary Bremerton, WA | 6.6 |
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 is ranked #1002 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Birney Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Birney Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Birney Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Birney Elementary School has 22.6% math proficiency and 30.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (6,715/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 571-4600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #29 of 62
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.