Below Average
#1994 of 2,225 schools in WA
Harvard Elementary
Elementary School · Franklin Pierce School District
1709 85th Street E, Tacoma, WA 98445
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#79 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#1,145 of 1,202
In district
#14 of 14
Franklin Pierce School District
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Harvard Elementary
Harvard Elementary, a regular public school in Tacoma, Washington, serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 421 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. Located in a large suburban area on 85th Street E, Harvard Elementary has 33 full-time equivalent teachers committed to their students' education.
Academically, the school ranks #1834 out of 2261 schools in Washington, placing it around the 19th percentile statewide. The MySchoolScout rating is 3.5/10, reflecting areas for improvement in academic performance. Specifically, 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, 27% in math, and 35% in science.
While these scores indicate room for growth, the school continues to focus on student development and engagement. Harvard Elementary is situated in a vibrant suburban community where families support each other and advocate for their children's education.
Score Breakdown
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Harvard Elementary — Students at Harvard Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.7%
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: 2.7/10.
How Harvard Elementary Compares
See how Harvard Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 23.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 25.3% (2024).
Location
1709 85th Street E, Tacoma, WA 98445
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harvard Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fern Hill Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Larchmont Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Boze Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Boze Elementary School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Midland Elementary Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Waller Road Elementary Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| First Creek Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Sheridan Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Lister Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Collins Elementary Tacoma | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Blix Elementary School Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 4.6 |
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 Harvard Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Eatonville Elementary School Eatonville, WA | 4.4 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Everett, WA | 4.4 |
| Kapowsin Elementary Graham, WA | 4.4 |
| Pioneer Elementary Arlington, WA | 4.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Port Angeles, WA | 4.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harvard Elementary
What grades does Harvard Elementary serve?
Harvard Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Harvard Elementary?
Harvard Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 421 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harvard Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Harvard Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harvard Elementary rank in WA?
Harvard Elementary is ranked #1994 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Harvard Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harvard Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Harvard Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harvard Elementary has 27.0% math proficiency and 30.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harvard Elementary a charter school?
No, Harvard Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harvard Elementary a Title I school?
No, Harvard Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harvard Elementary?
77.7% of students at Harvard Elementary 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
- 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
- 421
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 298-4105
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Franklin Pierce School District- District Enrollment
- 7,296
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,065
- District Rank
- #14 of 14
Other Schools in This District
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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