Skip to main content

Average

#820 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 37% in state

Elmhurst Elementary School

Elementary School · Franklin Pierce School District

420 133rd ST E, Tacoma, WA 98445

Enrollment

327

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#1 of 4

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#630 of 1,202

In district

#4 of 14

Franklin Pierce School District

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Elmhurst Elementary School

Elmhurst Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 327 pupils with a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from its dedicated staff of 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Elmhurst Elementary is currently in need of improvement; it ranks #1292 out of 2261 schools statewide and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0/10, with the majority of students not yet reaching proficiency levels in reading (29%), math (25%), and science (33%).

However, this presents an opportunity for growth and development within the school community. Elmhurst Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, providing students with access to a variety of local resources and activities. Despite its current academic standing, the school continues to focus on supporting its students' overall development and fostering a positive learning environment.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Elmhurst Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.7%
Math vs. State Avg-27.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,349

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 24.6%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 29.4%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
38%
2022
ELA
27%
2024
Math
24.5%
ELA
27.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Elmhurst Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in WA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Christensen Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Brookdale Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 5.2
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 0.7 mi 5.6
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 0.8 mi 6.7
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.4
IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma 1.1 mi
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 8.1
Spanaway Middle School Tacoma 1.4 mi 7.2
Collins Elementary Tacoma 1.0 mi 6.3
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.7
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 1.6 mi 4.0
Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma 1.7 mi 4.7
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 1.9 mi 4.1
Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.0
Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma 1.9 mi 5.8
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 2.1 mi 5.2
Washington High School Tacoma 1.6 mi 4.6
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 2.1 mi 5.8
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 2.2 mi 4.9
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 1.8 mi 8.7
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 2.2 mi 7.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Elmhurst Elementary School has a median household income of $90,063. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $413,200, with a median rent of $1,721/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Apple Valley Elementary Yakima, WA 6.9
Arlington Elementary School Tacoma, WA 6.9
Bowman Creek Elementary Auburn, WA 6.9
CAMAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Camas, WA 6.9
Cooper Elementary Spokane, WA 6.9
Emerson Elementary Hoquiam, WA 6.9

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 is ranked #820 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Elmhurst Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Elmhurst Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Elmhurst Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Elmhurst Elementary School has 24.6% math proficiency and 29.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

Related 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.