Excellent
#235 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 11% in state
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
Elementary School · Bethel School District
16720 Waller Rd E, Tacoma, WA 98446
Enrollment
600
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
600
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#10 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#221 of 1,202
In district
#3 of 33
Bethel School District
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of the Bethel School District. The school serves approximately 600 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89.5th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 58% proficiency in math, 12 points above the state average and 57% in reading/language arts, 7 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10).
Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $101,130, where 21% 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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Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School — Students at Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 11 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: 9.1/10.
How Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Compares
See how Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2022) to 57.2% (2024).
Location
16720 Waller Rd E, Tacoma, WA 98446
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Camas Prairie Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Clover Creek Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Shining Mountain Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup | 1.7 mi | — |
| Thompson Preschool Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway | 1.8 mi | 9.3 |
| Collins Elementary Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Spanaway Middle School Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Challenger High School Spanaway | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Central Avenue Elementary Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Shining Mountain Elementary Spanaway | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Spanaway Elementary Spanaway | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98446 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,130
Median Home Value
$459,500
Median Rent
$1,944/mo
Population
14,241
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
69.7%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School has a median household income of $101,130. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $459,500, with a median rent of $1,944/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Cascade Elementary School Renton, WA | 8.3 |
| Cedar River Elementary Maple Valley, WA | 8.3 |
| Creekside Elementary Sammamish, WA | 8.3 |
| Crystal Springs Elementary Bothell, WA | 8.3 |
| Elma Elementary School Elma, WA | 8.3 |
| Emerald Heights Elementary Silverdale, WA | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
What grades does Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School serve?
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School?
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 600 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School rank in WA?
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School is ranked #235 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School has 57.5% math proficiency and 56.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School?
50.5% of students at Katherine G. Johnson 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 600
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 800-3000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #3 of 33
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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