Below Average
#1943 of 2,228 schools in WA
Christensen Elementary
Elementary School · Franklin Pierce School District
10232 Barnes Lane, Tacoma, WA 98444
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,943 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#80 of 88
public schools
In district
#10 of 14
Franklin Pierce School District
Shortlisting around Christensen Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Christensen Elementary
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
James Sales Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Helen Stafford Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Christensen Elementary
Christensen Elementary is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Franklin Pierce School District. Christensen Elementary serves approximately 346 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Christensen Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,943 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Christensen Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- District avg 5.6
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
50% of students at Christensen 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
Christensen Elementary — Students at Christensen Elementary score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 3.1/10.
How Christensen Elementary Compares
See how Christensen Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
10232 Barnes Lane, Tacoma, WA 98444
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Christensen Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. James Sales Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Larchmont Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brookdale Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| James Sales Elementary Tacoma | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Washington High School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
| IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98444 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,464
Median Home Value
$369,500
Median Rent
$1,581/mo
Population
35,660
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
45.8%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
34.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fircrest Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 4.4 |
| Martin Luther King Elementary Vancouver, WA | 4.4 |
| Pioneer Elementary Quincy, WA | 4.4 |
| Rock Island Elementary Rock Island, WA | 4.4 |
| Tillicum Elementary School Lakewood, WA | 4.4 |
| Washington Elementary Vancouver, WA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Christensen Elementary
What grades does Christensen Elementary serve?
Christensen Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Christensen Elementary?
Christensen Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Christensen Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Christensen Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Christensen Elementary rank in WA?
Christensen Elementary ranks #1,943 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Christensen Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Christensen Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Christensen Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Christensen Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Christensen Elementary a charter school?
No, Christensen Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Christensen Elementary a Title I school?
No, Christensen Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Christensen Elementary?
75.4% of students at Christensen 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 346
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 50.0%
- Phone
- (253) 298-3305
Resources & Links
District
Franklin Pierce School District- District Enrollment
- 7,296
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,065
- District Rank
- #10 of 14
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.