Excellent
#170 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 8% in state
Point Defiance Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
4330 N Visscher St, Tacoma, WA 98407
Enrollment
300
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
300
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#6 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#162 of 1,202
In district
#5 of 62
Tacoma School District
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Point Defiance Elementary School
Point Defiance Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of the Tacoma School District. The school serves approximately 300 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 92.4th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 68% in reading/language arts, 18 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $108,905, where 50% 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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Point Defiance Elementary School — Students at Point Defiance Elementary School score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.3%
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: 8.3/10.
How Point Defiance Elementary School Compares
See how Point Defiance Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 59.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 71% (2019) to 69.5% (2024).
Location
4330 N Visscher St, Tacoma, WA 98407
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Point Defiance Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Downing Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Washington Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Delong Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Truman Middle School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Science and Math Institute Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Skyline Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Tacoma Online High School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | — |
| Sherman Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Downing Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 9.1 |
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Mason Middle School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Washington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma | 2.5 mi | — |
| Hunt Middle School Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Geiger Montessori School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Delong Elementary School Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Foss High School Tacoma | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98407 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,905
Median Home Value
$613,000
Median Rent
$1,847/mo
Population
21,210
College Educated
50.1%
Homeownership
65.4%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
47
Community Profile
The community surrounding Point Defiance Elementary School has a median household income of $108,905. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $613,000, with a median rent of $1,847/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Alpine Lakes Elementary Leavenworth, WA | 8.6 |
| Chase Lake Elementary Edmonds, WA | 8.6 |
| Longfellow Elementary Spokane, WA | 8.6 |
| Meriwether Elementary School Jblm Lewis North, WA | 8.6 |
| Ridge View Elementary School Kennewick, WA | 8.6 |
| Satus Elementary Wapato, WA | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Point Defiance Elementary School
What grades does Point Defiance Elementary School serve?
Point Defiance Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Point Defiance Elementary School?
Point Defiance Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 300 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Point Defiance Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Point Defiance Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Point Defiance Elementary School rank in WA?
Point Defiance Elementary School is ranked #170 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Point Defiance Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Point Defiance Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Point Defiance Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Point Defiance Elementary School has 61.2% math proficiency and 68.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Point Defiance Elementary School a charter school?
No, Point Defiance Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Point Defiance Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Point Defiance Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Point Defiance Elementary School?
34.3% of students at Point Defiance 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
- 300
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 571-6900
- 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
- #5 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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