Average
#1202 of 2,228 schools in WA
Fern Hill Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
8442 S Park Ave, Tacoma, WA 98444
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,202 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#42 of 88
public schools
In district
#29 of 62
Tacoma School District
Equity
8.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Fern Hill Elementary School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Fern Hill Elementary School
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Baker Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Birney Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Fern Hill Elementary School
Fern Hill Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Fern Hill Elementary School serves approximately 287 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Fern Hill Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,202 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Fern Hill Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
52% of students at Fern Hill 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
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 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: 5.2/10.
How Fern Hill Elementary School Compares
See how Fern Hill Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mann Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Boze Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.5 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| James Sales Elementary Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Boze Elementary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Sheridan Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A J West Elementary Aberdeen, WA | 6.2 |
| ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Puyallup, WA | 6.2 |
| Ardmore Elementary School Bellevue, WA | 6.2 |
| Berney Elementary School Walla Walla, WA | 6.2 |
| Cedar Valley Elementary School Covington, WA | 6.2 |
| EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellevue, WA | 6.2 |
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 ranks #1,202 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Fern Hill Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fern Hill Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Fern Hill Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Fern Hill Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 51.9%
- Phone
- (253) 571-3888
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #29 of 62
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.