Excellent
#227 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 10% in state
Jefferson Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
4302 North 13th St, Tacoma, WA 98406
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#8 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#214 of 1,202
In district
#7 of 62
Tacoma School District
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of the Tacoma School District. The school serves approximately 323 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 89.8th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math, 16 points above the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 22 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $104,761, where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
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: 8.5/10.
How Jefferson Elementary School Compares
See how Jefferson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 60.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72.2% (2024).
Location
4302 North 13th St, Tacoma, WA 98406
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Downing Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Washington Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Delong Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma | 0.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Mason Middle School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Washington Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Delong Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Downing Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Franklin Elementary School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Foss High School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma | 1.1 mi | — |
| Sherman Elementary School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Grant Elementary School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Truman Middle School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Skyline Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Hunt Middle School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Tacoma Online High School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | — |
| Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Lowell Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$104,761
Median Home Value
$594,100
Median Rent
$1,677/mo
Population
23,642
College Educated
48.5%
Homeownership
63.7%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary School has a median household income of $104,761. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $594,100, with a median rent of $1,677/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Beacon Hill International School Seattle, WA | 8.4 |
| Crestwood Elementary School Covington, WA | 8.4 |
| E Omak Elementary Omak, WA | 8.4 |
| Highland Park Elementary School Seattle, WA | 8.4 |
| Kenmore Elementary Kenmore, WA | 8.4 |
| Lakeridge Elementary School Mercer Island, WA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elementary School
What grades does Jefferson Elementary School serve?
Jefferson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Jefferson Elementary School?
Jefferson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson Elementary School rank in WA?
Jefferson Elementary School is ranked #227 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Jefferson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary School has 61.4% math proficiency and 71.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Jefferson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Jefferson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary School?
40.9% of students at Jefferson 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 323
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 571-4000
- 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
- #7 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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