Excellent
#231 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 10% 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
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#231 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#10 of 88
public schools
In district
#1 of 14
Franklin Pierce School District
Equity
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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James Sales Elementary
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Christensen Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Perry G Keithley Middle School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Sales Elementary
James Sales Elementary is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Franklin Pierce School District. James Sales Elementary serves approximately 377 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James Sales Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #231 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for James Sales Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 5.6
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at James Sales Elementary 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
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 32 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: 8.9/10.
How James Sales Elementary Compares
See how James Sales Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Larchmont Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Brookdale Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fern Hill Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 1.8 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 | 4.4 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Washington High School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 3.7 |
| IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.2 mi | — |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Clover Park Early Learning Program Lakewood | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adna Elementary School Adna, WA | 8.6 |
| Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima, WA | 8.6 |
| Arbor Heights Elementary School Seattle, WA | 8.6 |
| Arrowhead Elementary Kenmore, WA | 8.6 |
| Brier Elementary Brier, WA | 8.6 |
| Carl Sandburg Elementary Kirkland, WA | 8.6 |
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 ranks #231 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is James Sales Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Sales Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 James Sales Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Sales Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.3%
- Phone
- (253) 298-4205
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
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