Very Good
#681 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 31% in state
Christensen Elementary
Elementary School · Franklin Pierce School District
10232 Barnes Lane, Tacoma, WA 98444
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#27 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#545 of 1,202
In district
#3 of 14
Franklin Pierce School District
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Christensen Elementary
Christensen Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 346 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in a large suburban area, providing a mix of residential neighborhoods and nearby amenities.
Christensen Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.2 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking of 47th percentile among Washington schools, placing it at number 1202 out of 2261 schools statewide. The school's academic performance is currently focusing on student development with 31% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 28% proficiency in Math across all grades. In Science, the proficiency rate is slightly higher at 32%.
While these scores indicate areas for improvement, Christensen Elementary continues to work diligently to enhance educational outcomes. Christensen Elementary is situated in a vibrant suburban community with easy access to local parks, shopping centers, and other family-friendly resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Christensen Elementary — Students at Christensen Elementary score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
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 13 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: 8.0/10.
How Christensen Elementary Compares
See how Christensen Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 27.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 30.3% (2024).
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 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fern Hill Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Larchmont Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 8.7 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Washington High School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Christensen Elementary has a median household income of $64,464. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,500, with a median rent of $1,581/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Audubon Elementary Spokane, WA | 7.2 |
| Briarcrest Elementary Shoreline, WA | 7.2 |
| Concrete Elementary Concrete, WA | 7.2 |
| Crescent Harbor Elem Oak Harbor, WA | 7.2 |
| Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale, WA | 7.2 |
| Evergreen Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main, WA | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #681 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Christensen Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Christensen Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Christensen Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Christensen Elementary has 28.3% math proficiency and 30.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 298-3305
- 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
- #3 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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