Needs Improvement
#2066 of 2,228 schools in WA
Helen Stafford Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
1615 South 92nd St, Tacoma, WA 98444
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#2,066 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#84 of 88
public schools
In district
#60 of 62
Tacoma School District
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Helen Stafford Elementary School
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Baker Middle School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Birney Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Helen Stafford Elementary School
Helen Stafford Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Helen Stafford Elementary School serves approximately 432 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Helen Stafford Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,066 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Helen Stafford Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.9
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
58% of students at Helen Stafford 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
Helen Stafford Elementary School — Students at Helen Stafford Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.
How Helen Stafford Elementary School Compares
See how Helen Stafford Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1615 South 92nd St, Tacoma, WA 98444
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helen Stafford Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. James Sales Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mann Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edison Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| James Sales Elementary Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Washington High School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Edison Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Clover Park Early Learning Program Lakewood | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 8.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Harry S Truman Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 3.9 |
| Jefferson Lincoln Elementary Centralia, WA | 3.9 |
| Madrona Elementary Seatac, WA | 3.9 |
| Bay View Elementary Burlington, WA | 4.0 |
| Cedar Valley Community School Lynnwood, WA | 4.0 |
| Hazel Valley Elementary Burien, WA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helen Stafford Elementary School
What grades does Helen Stafford Elementary School serve?
Helen Stafford Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Helen Stafford Elementary School?
Helen Stafford Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 432 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helen Stafford Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Helen Stafford Elementary School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helen Stafford Elementary School rank in WA?
Helen Stafford Elementary School ranks #2,066 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Helen Stafford Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helen Stafford Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Helen Stafford Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Helen Stafford Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Helen Stafford Elementary School a charter school?
No, Helen Stafford Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helen Stafford Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Helen Stafford Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helen Stafford Elementary School?
79.4% of students at Helen Stafford 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 432
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 57.9%
- Phone
- (253) 571-4300
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #60 of 62
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