Excellent
#135 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 6% in state
James Sales Elementary
Elementary School · Franklin Pierce School District
1301 113th Street S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#3 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#130 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 14
Franklin Pierce School District
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About James Sales Elementary
James Sales Elementary is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of the Franklin Pierce School District. The school serves approximately 377 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math, 10 points above the state average and 53% in reading/language arts, 3 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $64,464, where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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James Sales Elementary — Students at James Sales Elementary score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.6%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How James Sales Elementary Compares
See how James Sales Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 56% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 54.1% (2024).
Location
1301 113th Street S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Sales Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fern Hill Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Larchmont Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Christensen Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Washington High School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.2 mi | — |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Clover Park Early Learning Program Lakewood | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 2.8 mi | 6.9 |
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 James Sales Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Browns Point Elementary School Tacoma, WA | 8.7 |
| Capt Johnston Blakely Elem Sch Bainbridge Island, WA | 8.7 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Jblm Mcchord Field, WA | 8.7 |
| Chester Elementary School Spokane Valley, WA | 8.7 |
| Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont, WA | 8.7 |
| Custer Elem Custer, WA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Sales Elementary
What grades does James Sales Elementary serve?
James Sales Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James Sales Elementary?
James Sales Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 377 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Sales Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James Sales Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Sales Elementary rank in WA?
James Sales Elementary is ranked #135 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is James Sales Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Sales Elementary has a composite rating of 8.7 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 James Sales Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Sales Elementary has 55.7% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Sales Elementary a charter school?
No, James Sales Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Sales Elementary a Title I school?
No, James Sales Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Sales Elementary?
71.6% of students at James Sales 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 377
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 298-4205
- 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
- #1 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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