Below Average
#2046 of 2,225 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
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#80 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#1,162 of 1,202
In district
#59 of 62
Tacoma School District
About Helen Stafford Elementary School
Helen Stafford Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Tacoma, Washington. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 432 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1. Helen Stafford has 25 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education for young learners.
The academic performance at Helen Stafford Elementary is in the 21st percentile among Washington state schools, which means there's room for growth in areas like ELA/Reading (32% proficiency), Math (33% proficiency), and Science (38% proficiency). The school focuses on developing students' skills across various subjects. Helen Stafford Elementary School is situated within a mid-size city setting.
Although detailed neighborhood information isn't available, the school provides a supportive community for its diverse student body, fostering an environment that encourages learning and personal growth for all children.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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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 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: 2.6/10.
How Helen Stafford Elementary School Compares
See how Helen Stafford Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 26.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 30.8% (2024).
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 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fern Hill Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Larchmont Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 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 | 6.6 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| James Sales Elementary Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 8.7 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Washington High School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Edison Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Clover Park Early Learning Program Lakewood | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helen Stafford Elementary School has a median household income of $64,464. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,500, with a median rent of $1,581/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Blaine Elementary School Blaine, WA | 4.2 |
| Cape Horn Skye Elementary Washougal, WA | 4.2 |
| Goldendale Primary School Goldendale, WA | 4.2 |
| Logan Elementary Spokane, WA | 4.2 |
| Valley View Elementary Toppenish, WA | 4.2 |
| Broad View Elementary Oak Harbor, WA | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #2046 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Helen Stafford Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helen Stafford Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Helen Stafford Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helen Stafford Elementary School has 32.6% math proficiency and 32.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (6,715/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 571-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #59 of 62
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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