Very Good
#521 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 23% in state
Fern Hill Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
8442 S Park Ave, Tacoma, WA 98444
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#18 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#444 of 1,202
In district
#12 of 62
Tacoma School District
Equity
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Fern Hill Elementary School
Fern Hill Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Tacoma, Washington, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 287 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. Fern Hill has 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
The academic performance at Fern Hill is rated 6.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks #669 out of 2261 schools in Washington, placing it around the 70th percentile statewide. In recent assessments, 47% of students were proficient or above in ELA/reading, 44% in math, and 53% in science. While there is room for academic growth, the school focuses on developing well-rounded students who excel both academically and socially.
Located in a mid-size city, Fern Hill Elementary School benefits from being part of Tacoma's vibrant community.
Score Breakdown
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Fern Hill Elementary School — Students at Fern Hill Elementary School score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.1%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.
How Fern Hill Elementary School Compares
See how Fern Hill Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 41.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 48.8% (2024).
Location
8442 S Park Ave, Tacoma, WA 98444
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fern Hill 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 Larchmont Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Christensen Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| James Sales Elementary Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Boze Elementary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Sheridan Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
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 Fern Hill Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedar Park Elementary School Seattle, WA | 7.6 |
| Daniel Bagley Elementary School Seattle, WA | 7.6 |
| Keene-Riverview Elementary Prosser, WA | 7.6 |
| Kessler Elementary School Longview, WA | 7.6 |
| Ordway Elementary Bainbridge Island, WA | 7.6 |
| Simcoe Elementary School Wapato, WA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fern Hill Elementary School
What grades does Fern Hill Elementary School serve?
Fern Hill Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Fern Hill Elementary School?
Fern Hill Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fern Hill Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fern Hill Elementary School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fern Hill Elementary School rank in WA?
Fern Hill Elementary School is ranked #521 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Fern Hill Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fern Hill Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Fern Hill Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fern Hill Elementary School has 44.4% math proficiency and 46.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fern Hill Elementary School a charter school?
No, Fern Hill Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fern Hill Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Fern Hill Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fern Hill Elementary School?
71.1% of students at Fern Hill 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
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 571-3888
- 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
- #12 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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