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Average

#1767 of 2,225 schools in WA

Naches Trail Elementary

Elementary School · Bethel School District

15305 Waller Road E, Tacoma, WA 98446

Enrollment

443

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#70 of 83

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#1,055 of 1,202

In district

#22 of 33

Bethel School District

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Naches Trail Elementary

Naches Trail Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 443 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, providing a relatively personalized learning experience for each child. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, Naches Trail Elementary aims to foster a supportive educational environment.

Academically, the school is ranked at #891 out of 2261 schools in Washington state, placing it in the 61st percentile. While the MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.0/10 and the academic score at 6.2/10, these metrics indicate there's room for improvement in student performance. In terms of proficiency rates, 51% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 48% in math, and 46% in science, highlighting areas where additional support could be beneficial.

Naches Trail Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, offering a community feel with easy access to amenities and resources. The school’s location provides a good balance between urban conveniences and a quieter residential setting, making it an attractive option for families looking for a supportive learning environment in Tacoma.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.9%
Math vs. State Avg-9.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,195

Naches Trail Elementary — Students at Naches Trail Elementary score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.9%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 51.1%
School
State
50.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
69%
ELA
73%
2022
ELA
41%
2024
Math
42.7%
ELA
48.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.

How Naches Trail Elementary Compares

See how Naches Trail Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in WA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

15305 Waller Road E, Tacoma, WA 98446

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Naches Trail Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Camas Prairie Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores notably higher. Another option is Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clover Creek Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 8.3
Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma 1.0 mi 8.1
CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma 1.3 mi 5.0
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 1.4 mi 5.8
Evergreen Elementary Spanaway 1.5 mi 4.5
Collins Elementary Tacoma 1.8 mi 6.3
Central Avenue Elementary Tacoma 1.9 mi 5.2
Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup 1.5 mi 3.5
Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup 1.6 mi
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 1.8 mi 4.0
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 1.9 mi 5.7
Spanaway Middle School Tacoma 1.9 mi 7.2
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway 2.5 mi 5.2
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 2.2 mi 6.9
Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway 2.3 mi 9.3
Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma 3.0 mi 4.7
Midland Elementary Tacoma 3.1 mi 6.3
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 2.3 mi 4.1
Challenger High School Spanaway 2.6 mi 4.2
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 2.4 mi 4.9

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 Naches Trail Elementary 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 CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma, WA 5.0
Centennial Elementary School Mount Vernon, WA 5.0
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham, WA 5.0
Edna Travis Elementary School Tacoma, WA 5.0
Hazel Dell Elementary School Vancouver, WA 5.0
Lackamas Elementary Yelm, WA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Naches Trail Elementary

What grades does Naches Trail Elementary serve?

Naches Trail Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Naches Trail Elementary?

Naches Trail Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 443 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Naches Trail Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Naches Trail Elementary is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Naches Trail Elementary rank in WA?

Naches Trail Elementary is ranked #1767 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Naches Trail Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Naches Trail Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Naches Trail Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Naches Trail Elementary has 47.9% math proficiency and 51.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Naches Trail Elementary a charter school?

No, Naches Trail Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Naches Trail Elementary a Title I school?

No, Naches Trail Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Naches Trail Elementary?

55.3% of students at Naches Trail 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
443
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bethel School District
District Enrollment
21,539
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,370
District Rank
#22 of 33

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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