Excellent
#224 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 10% 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
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
600
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#224 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#9 of 88
public schools
In district
#2 of 33
Bethel School District
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cascade Christian Schools - Frederickson Elem.
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Clover Creek Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Bethel School District. Katherine G.
Johnson Elementary School serves approximately 600 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #224 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 7.3
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School 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
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 12 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: 9.7/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.9/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Chester H Thompson Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Clover Creek Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.3 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup | 1.7 mi | — |
| Thompson Preschool Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway | 1.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Collins Elementary Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Spanaway Middle School Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Challenger High School Spanaway | 2.0 mi | 2.4 |
| Central Avenue Elementary Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway | 2.1 mi | 3.2 |
| BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Shining Mountain Elementary Spanaway | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Spanaway Elementary Spanaway | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima, WA | 8.6 |
| Arbor Heights Elementary School Seattle, WA | 8.6 |
| Brier Elementary Brier, WA | 8.6 |
| Carl Sandburg Elementary Kirkland, WA | 8.6 |
| Cathcart Elementary Snohomish, WA | 8.6 |
| Cedar River Elementary Maple Valley, WA | 8.6 |
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 ranks #224 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School 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 Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2024).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.0%
- Phone
- (253) 800-3000
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #2 of 33
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