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Needs Improvement

#2101 of 2,228 schools in WA

Elmhurst Elementary School

Elementary School · Franklin Pierce School District

420 133rd ST E, Tacoma, WA 98445

Enrollment

327

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,101 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#87 of 88

public schools

In district

#14 of 14

Franklin Pierce School District

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Elmhurst Elementary School

3.7/10

Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Early Learning Center

5.1/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Parkland Lutheran Church & School

5.6/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Elmhurst Elementary School

Elmhurst Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Franklin Pierce School District. Elmhurst Elementary School serves approximately 327 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Elmhurst Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,101 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Elmhurst Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.6
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

56% of students at Elmhurst 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 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.7% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.7% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-27.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,065
Chronic Absenteeism56%

Elmhurst Elementary School — Students at Elmhurst Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 41.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
58%
ELA
60%
2010
Math
54%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
60%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
24%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
26.9%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
24.5%
ELA
27.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Elmhurst Elementary School Compares

See how Elmhurst Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
6th percentile in WA
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
56.0%

Location

420 133rd ST E, Tacoma, WA 98445

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Elmhurst Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. James Sales Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chester H Thompson Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Spanaway Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Early Learning Center Tacoma 0.8 mi 5.1
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 0.7 mi 5.6
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 0.8 mi 6.4
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.4
IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma 1.1 mi
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 8.6
Spanaway Middle School Tacoma 1.4 mi 6.7
Collins Elementary Tacoma 1.0 mi 6.3
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.1
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 1.6 mi 8.2
Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma 1.7 mi 4.6
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 1.9 mi 3.2
Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma 1.5 mi 4.0
Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma 1.9 mi 3.8
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 2.1 mi 7.8
Washington High School Tacoma 1.6 mi 4.2
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 2.1 mi 3.7
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 2.2 mi 4.0
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 1.8 mi 8.6
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 2.2 mi 4.4

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
Enterprise Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.7
Evergreen Elementary School Shelton, WA 3.7
Honey Dew Elementary Renton, WA 3.8
Lackamas Elementary Yelm, WA 3.8
Orchards Elementary School Vancouver, WA 3.8
Adelaide Elementary School Federal Way, WA 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Elmhurst Elementary School

What grades does Elmhurst Elementary School serve?

Elmhurst Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Elmhurst Elementary School?

Elmhurst Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 327 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Elmhurst Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Elmhurst Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Elmhurst Elementary School rank in WA?

Elmhurst Elementary School ranks #2,101 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Elmhurst Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Elmhurst Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Elmhurst Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Elmhurst Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Elmhurst Elementary School a charter school?

No, Elmhurst Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Elmhurst Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Elmhurst Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Elmhurst Elementary School?

71.3% of students at Elmhurst 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
56.0%

District

Franklin Pierce School District
District Enrollment
7,296
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,065
District Rank
#14 of 14

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