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Excellent

#397 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 18% in state

Fife Elementary School

Elementary School · Fife School District

5804 20th Street E, Tacoma, WA 98424

Enrollment

816

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#397 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#18 of 88

public schools

In district

#1 of 6

Fife School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Fife Elementary School

8.1/10

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

Fife Open Doors

Nearby

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

Fife High School

6.4/10

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

About Fife Elementary School

Fife Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Fife School District. Fife Elementary School serves approximately 816 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Fife Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #397 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Fife Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Fife 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 Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.7% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.9% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,662
Chronic Absenteeism38.6%

Fife Elementary School — Students at Fife Elementary School score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.8% (multi-year average, 2022-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 40.5% (multi-year average, 2022-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 12 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2022
Math
33.8%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
37.6%
ELA
41.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Fife Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
82th percentile in WA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5804 20th Street E, Tacoma, WA 98424

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fife Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Discovery Primary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Milton), with a comparable rating. Another option is N.E. Tacoma Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Northwood Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Edgewood), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Fife Open Doors Tacoma 0.1 mi
Fife High School Tacoma 0.2 mi 6.4
HOLY ROSARY BILINGUAL ACADEMY Fife 0.3 mi 5.9
HOLY ROSARY BILINGUAL ACADEMY Fife 0.3 mi 5.9
Columbia Junior High School Tacoma 0.5 mi 5.4
Chief Leschi School Puyallup 1.8 mi
Discovery Primary School Milton 2.0 mi 7.7
MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY Federal Way 2.7 mi 6.8
Illahee Middle School Federal Way 2.9 mi 3.4
Surprise Lake Middle School Milton 2.1 mi 5.2
FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 3.3 mi 7.8
Roosevelt Elementary School Tacoma 2.4 mi 6.4
N.E. Tacoma Elementary School Tacoma 3.3 mi 7.7
Enterprise Elementary School Federal Way 3.5 mi 3.7
Northwood Elementary Edgewood 2.5 mi 7.3
Todd Beamer High School Federal Way 3.2 mi 5.1
Waller Road Elementary Tacoma 3.2 mi 5.2
Karshner Elementary Puyallup 3.2 mi 5.1
Lister Elementary School Tacoma 2.8 mi 7.0
Sherwood Forest Elementary School Federal Way 3.8 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,633

Median Home Value

$497,400

Median Rent

$1,836/mo

Population

11,871

College Educated

27.8%

Homeownership

49.8%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

32.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma, WA 8.1
Frank Love Elementary Bothell, WA 8.1
Grant Elementary School East Wenatchee, WA 8.1
Hillcrest Elementary School Lake Stevens, WA 8.1
Loyal Heights Elementary School Seattle, WA 8.1
Maple Grove Primary Battle Ground, WA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fife Elementary School

What grades does Fife Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Fife Elementary School?

Fife Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 816 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Fife Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fife Elementary School rank in WA?

Fife Elementary School ranks #397 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Fife Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fife Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Fife Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fife Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).

Is Fife Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Fife Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

61.0% of students at Fife 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
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
816
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.6%

District

Fife School District
District Enrollment
3,916
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,662
District Rank
#1 of 6

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