Excellent
#347 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 16% in state
Chester H Thompson Elementary
Elementary School · Bethel School District
303 159TH ST E, Tacoma, WA 98445
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#347 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#14 of 88
public schools
In district
#5 of 33
Bethel School District
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Chester H Thompson Elementary
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thompson Preschool
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Spanaway Middle School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Chester H Thompson Elementary
Chester H Thompson Elementary is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Bethel School District. Chester H Thompson Elementary serves approximately 648 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Chester H Thompson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #347 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Chester H Thompson Elementary show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 7.3
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
35% of students at Chester H Thompson Elementary 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
Chester H Thompson Elementary — Students at Chester H Thompson Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.7%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.
How Chester H Thompson Elementary Compares
See how Chester H Thompson Elementary 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
303 159TH ST E, Tacoma, WA 98445
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chester H Thompson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Camas Prairie Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Spanaway Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson Preschool Tacoma | 0.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Spanaway Middle School Tacoma | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway | 0.5 mi | 3.2 |
| BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Spanaway Elementary Spanaway | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway | 1.1 mi | 8.9 |
| IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.0 mi | — |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Challenger High School Spanaway | 1.4 mi | 2.4 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Collins Elementary Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98445 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,063
Median Home Value
$413,200
Median Rent
$1,721/mo
Population
33,578
College Educated
19.1%
Homeownership
69.7%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
37
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arcadia Elementary Deer Park, WA | 8.2 |
| Brewster Elementary School Brewster, WA | 8.2 |
| Byron Kibler Elementary School Enumclaw, WA | 8.2 |
| Elma Elementary School Elma, WA | 8.2 |
| Harriet Rowley Mount Vernon, WA | 8.2 |
| Jing Mei Elementary School Bellevue, WA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chester H Thompson Elementary
What grades does Chester H Thompson Elementary serve?
Chester H Thompson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Chester H Thompson Elementary?
Chester H Thompson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 648 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester H Thompson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Chester H Thompson Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chester H Thompson Elementary rank in WA?
Chester H Thompson Elementary ranks #347 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Chester H Thompson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester H Thompson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Chester H Thompson Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Chester H Thompson Elementary has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Chester H Thompson Elementary a charter school?
No, Chester H Thompson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chester H Thompson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Chester H Thompson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester H Thompson Elementary?
66.7% of students at Chester H Thompson 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 648
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.2%
- Phone
- (253) 800-5800
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #5 of 33
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