Average
#1671 of 2,225 schools in WA
Central Avenue Elementary
Elementary School · Franklin Pierce School District
4608 128th ST E, Tacoma, WA 98446
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#64 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#1,020 of 1,202
In district
#9 of 14
Franklin Pierce School District
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Avenue Elementary
Central Avenue Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 345 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, providing a supportive learning environment with plenty of individual attention for each child. The dedicated faculty includes 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to ensure that every student feels supported and engaged.
Central Avenue Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10, reflecting areas where the school is strong but also acknowledging room for improvement in academic performance. With a state ranking of #1318 out of 2,261 schools across Washington (42nd percentile), it focuses on student development and growth rather than solely on test scores. Students perform at a rate that shows they are proficient or above in ELA/Reading at 44%, Science at 45%, but slightly lower in Math with 29% proficiency.
The school is situated in a large suburban area, offering a diverse community setting for students to learn and grow together. Central Avenue Elementary is part of the heart of Tacoma, providing a strong sense of community and support for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Central Avenue Elementary — Students at Central Avenue Elementary score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
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: 3.5/10.
How Central Avenue Elementary Compares
See how Central Avenue Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 27.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 42.6% (2024).
Location
4608 128th ST E, Tacoma, WA 98446
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Avenue Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Woodland Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Puyallup), which scores notably higher. Another option is Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clover Creek Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup | 2.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup | 2.1 mi | — |
| Collins Elementary Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Midland Elementary Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Dessie F Evans Elementary Puyallup | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Woodland Elementary Puyallup | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma | 3.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Frederickson Elementary Puyallup | 3.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Gov John Rogers High School Puyallup | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Harvard Elementary Tacoma | 3.3 mi | 4.4 |
| EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Fruitland Elementary Puyallup | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Puyallup Online Academy/POA Puyallup | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Puyallup Open Doors/POD Puyalllup | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98446 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,130
Median Home Value
$459,500
Median Rent
$1,944/mo
Population
14,241
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
69.7%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Avenue Elementary has a median household income of $101,130. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $459,500, with a median rent of $1,944/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Black Lake Elementary Olympia, WA | 5.2 |
| Blix Elementary School Tacoma, WA | 5.2 |
| Evergreen Elementary School Spokane, WA | 5.2 |
| Hulan L Whitson Elem White Salmon, WA | 5.2 |
| Lakewood Elementary School N. Lakewood, WA | 5.2 |
| Minnehaha Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Avenue Elementary
What grades does Central Avenue Elementary serve?
Central Avenue Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Central Avenue Elementary?
Central Avenue Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Avenue Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Avenue Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Avenue Elementary rank in WA?
Central Avenue Elementary is ranked #1671 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Central Avenue Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Avenue Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Central Avenue Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Avenue Elementary has 29.5% math proficiency and 44.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Avenue Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Avenue Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Avenue Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Avenue Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Avenue Elementary?
60.6% of students at Central Avenue Elementary 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 345
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 298-3205
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Franklin Pierce School District- District Enrollment
- 7,296
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,065
- District Rank
- #9 of 14
Other Schools in This District
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
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