Excellent
#52 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 2% 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
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#1 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#51 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 62
Tacoma School District
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Downing Elementary School
Downing Elementary School serves 283 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Tacoma, Washington. It operates as a regular public school with a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 — a class size that keeps students in close contact with their teachers across the school day. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10, an Exceptional rating on MySchoolScout's scale.
Academic performance scores 9.4, and the growth score of 9.6 is the standout figure. Growth measures how much students advance relative to peers who started at the same level, and a 9.6 places Downing at the very top of that measure statewide. Together, these scores reflect a school that not only attracts capable students but actively accelerates their progress year over year.
Downing ranks #1 among all 83 public schools in Tacoma — and #52 among 2,225 public schools in Washington, outperforming 98% of the state. That consistency across academic performance and growth signals something structural, not circumstantial. For families comparing elementary options in the Tacoma area, few schools in Washington match what the data shows here.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 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: 9.6/10.
How Downing Elementary School Compares
See how Downing Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 64.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 66.7% (2024).
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. Washington Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Point Defiance Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Delong Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable 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 | 4.1 |
| Truman Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Skyline Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Sherman Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Tacoma Online High School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | — |
| Mason Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma | 1.2 mi | — |
| Washington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Delong Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Point Defiance Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Hunt Middle School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Geiger Montessori School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Foss High School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Franklin Elementary School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Downing Elementary School has a median household income of $104,761. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $594,100, with a median rent of $1,677/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Bailey Gatzert Elementary School Seattle, WA | 9.1 |
| Balboa Elementary Spokane, WA | 9.1 |
| East Ridge Elementary Woodinville, WA | 9.1 |
| Edwin Markham Elementary Pasco, WA | 9.1 |
| Adams Elementary School Seattle, WA | 9.0 |
| Alki Elementary School Seattle, WA | 9.0 |
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 is ranked #52 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Downing Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Downing Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Downing Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downing Elementary School has 63.2% math proficiency and 66.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 571-7100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #1 of 62
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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