Excellent
#127 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 6% in state
Downing Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
5130 N. 26th Street, Tacoma, WA 98406
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#127 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#4 of 88
public schools
In district
#4 of 62
Tacoma School District
Equity
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Downing Elementary School
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Dr. Dolores Silas High School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Truman Middle School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Downing Elementary School
Downing Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Downing Elementary School serves approximately 283 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Downing Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #127 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Downing Elementary School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 9.0 · Excellent
- District avg 6.9
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Downing Elementary School 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
Downing Elementary School — Students at Downing Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.1%
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: 9.3/10.
How Downing Elementary School Compares
See how Downing Elementary School 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
5130 N. 26th Street, Tacoma, WA 98406
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Downing Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Point Defiance Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sherman Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma | 0.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Truman Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Skyline Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Sherman Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Tacoma Online High School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | — |
| Mason Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma | 1.2 mi | — |
| Washington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Delong Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Point Defiance Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Hunt Middle School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Geiger Montessori School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Foss High School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Franklin Elementary School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$104,761
Median Home Value
$594,100
Median Rent
$1,677/mo
Population
23,642
College Educated
48.5%
Homeownership
63.7%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
41.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beacon Avenue Elementary School Montesano, WA | 9.0 |
| Edmonds Elementary Edmonds, WA | 9.0 |
| John Muir Elementary Kirkland, WA | 9.0 |
| Sunnyside Elementary Pullman, WA | 9.0 |
| Davenport Elementary Davenport, WA | 9.1 |
| Gatewood Elementary School Seattle, WA | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Downing Elementary School
What grades does Downing Elementary School serve?
Downing Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Downing Elementary School?
Downing Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 283 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Downing Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Downing Elementary School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Downing Elementary School rank in WA?
Downing Elementary School ranks #127 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Downing Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Downing Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Downing Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Downing Elementary School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Downing Elementary School a charter school?
No, Downing Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Downing Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Downing Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downing Elementary School?
54.1% of students at Downing 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 283
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.9%
- Phone
- (253) 571-7100
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #4 of 62
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