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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.2%
Math vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.8 pts
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+15.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,575

Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.4%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 71.9%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2022
ELA
72%
2024
Math
60%
ELA
71.8%

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.

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in WA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
64 Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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