Excellent
#28 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 1% in state
Harbor Heights Elementary School
Elementary School · Peninsula School District
4002 36th St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gig Harbor
#1 of 14
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#27 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 17
Peninsula School District
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Harbor Heights Elementary School
Harbor Heights Elementary School serves 420 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Gig Harbor, Washington. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — a rating MySchoolScout labels Exceptional — anchored by a 9.4 academic score and a 9.8 growth score that places it among Washington's strongest elementary schools. That growth score carries real weight.
It measures how much students advance relative to academic peers year over year. Harbor Heights ranks #1 among the 14 public schools in Gig Harbor and sits #28 out of 2,225 public schools across Washington state — outperforming 99% of the state. Among elementary schools specifically, only 26 schools in Washington rank higher out of 1,202 total.
The school runs as a regular public school with a student-teacher ratio of 16.2 to 1. For a 420-student campus, that ratio supports the classroom-level consistency reflected in Harbor Heights' numbers. Families comparing schools in Gig Harbor will find the data decisive: this is the top-performing public school in the city, and one of the strongest elementary programs in Washington by any measure.
Score Breakdown
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Harbor Heights Elementary School — Students at Harbor Heights Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Harbor Heights Elementary School Compares
See how Harbor Heights Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 63% (2019) to 72.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 70% (2019) to 76.3% (2024).
Location
4002 36th St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harbor Heights Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. University Place Primary (rated 8.9/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby University Pla), with a very similar rating. Another option is Discovery Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Geiger Montessori School (rated 7.9/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gig Harbor, see our Gig Harbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Goodman Middle School Gig Harbor | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gig Harbor | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gig Harbor | 1.8 mi | — |
| Artondale Elementary School Gig Harbor | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gig Harbor | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| GIG HARBOR ACADEMY Gig Harbor | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Henderson Bay Alt High School Gig Harbor | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Pioneer Elementary School Gig Harbor | 3.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Swift Water Elementary Gig Harbor | 4.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Science and Math Institute Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Geiger Montessori School Tacoma | 3.8 mi | 7.9 |
| University Place Primary University Pla | 4.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma | 3.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma | 3.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Tacoma Online High School Tacoma | 3.6 mi | — |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Skyline Elementary School Tacoma | 3.7 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98335 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$130,304
Median Home Value
$736,400
Median Rent
$1,971/mo
Population
27,956
College Educated
51.9%
Homeownership
78.3%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Median Age
44.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harbor Heights Elementary School has a median household income of $130,304. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $736,400, with a median rent of $1,971/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Asotin Elementary Asotin, WA | 9.2 |
| Browne Elementary Spokane, WA | 9.2 |
| Cascade Ridge Elementary Sammamish, WA | 9.2 |
| Christa Mcauliffe Elementary Sammamish, WA | 9.2 |
| Frantz Coe Elementary School Seattle, WA | 9.2 |
| Hathaway Elementary Washougal, WA | 9.2 |
Compare Harbor Heights Elementary School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harbor Heights Elementary School
What grades does Harbor Heights Elementary School serve?
Harbor Heights Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Harbor Heights Elementary School?
Harbor Heights Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 420 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harbor Heights Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harbor Heights Elementary School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harbor Heights Elementary School rank in WA?
Harbor Heights Elementary School is ranked #28 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Harbor Heights Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harbor Heights Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Harbor Heights Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harbor Heights Elementary School has 70.7% math proficiency and 73.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harbor Heights Elementary School a charter school?
No, Harbor Heights Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harbor Heights Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Harbor Heights Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harbor Heights Elementary School?
21.0% of students at Harbor Heights 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 (Gig Harbor). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 420
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 530-1800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Peninsula School District- District Enrollment
- 9,069
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,219
- District Rank
- #1 of 17
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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