Excellent
#84 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 4% 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
9.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
300
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#84 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#2 of 88
public schools
In district
#2 of 62
Tacoma School District
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Point Defiance Elementary School
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Truman Middle School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Science and Math Institute
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Point Defiance Elementary School
Point Defiance Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Point Defiance Elementary School serves approximately 300 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Point Defiance Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #84 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Point Defiance Elementary School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 9.2 · Excellent
- District avg 6.9
- WA avg 6.8
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 34 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: 9.2/10.
How Point Defiance Elementary School Compares
See how Point Defiance 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
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. Jefferson Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Downing Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sherman Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.0 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 | 5.7 |
| Science and Math Institute Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Skyline Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Tacoma Online High School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | — |
| Sherman Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Downing Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Mason Middle School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Washington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 9.2 |
| 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 | 8.4 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Delong Elementary School Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma | 3.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Foss High School Tacoma | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary School Seattle, WA | 9.2 |
| Alki Elementary School Seattle, WA | 9.2 |
| Asotin Elementary Asotin, WA | 9.2 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary Vancouver, WA | 9.2 |
| Cascade Ridge Elementary Sammamish, WA | 9.2 |
| Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor, WA | 9.2 |
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 ranks #84 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Point Defiance Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Point Defiance Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 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 Point Defiance Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Point Defiance Elementary School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.0%
- Phone
- (253) 571-6900
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #2 of 62
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