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Very Good

#575 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 26% in state

Sherman Elementary School

Elementary School · Tacoma School District

4415 N 38th St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Enrollment

424

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#21 of 83

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#476 of 1,202

In district

#15 of 62

Tacoma School District

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Sherman Elementary School

Sherman Elementary School serves 424 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Tacoma, Washington. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for elementary learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranking #467 out of 2,261 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 79th percentile.

Sherman's academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects solid educational outcomes, with 73% of students achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. Located on N 38th Street, Sherman Elementary sits in the 98407 ZIP code area, a well-established neighborhood where families enjoy stability and educational support. The surrounding community features a median household income of $103,900 and a median home value of $567,200, indicating a financially stable area.

With 49% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 5.9%, the neighborhood provides an environment that values education and supports student success. Sherman Elementary operates within Tacoma's mid-size city setting, offering families the benefits of urban amenities while maintaining a community-focused elementary school experience.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sherman Elementary School is 20.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.8%
Math vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+24.4 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,575

Sherman Elementary School — Students at Sherman Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 74.2%
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
81%
2022
ELA
73%
2024
Math
66.5%
ELA
72.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Sherman Elementary School Compares

See how Sherman Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
74th percentile in WA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

4415 N 38th St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sherman Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Downing Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Point Defiance Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Mason Middle School Tacoma 0.8 mi 5.6
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 1.0 mi 8.7
Downing Elementary School Tacoma 1.0 mi 9.1
Truman Middle School Tacoma 0.8 mi 6.1
Point Defiance Elementary School Tacoma 1.0 mi 8.6
Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma 1.6 mi 8.4
Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma 1.6 mi 4.1
Skyline Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 4.5
Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma 2.0 mi 6.7
Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma 1.6 mi 4.9
Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma 1.6 mi 4.5
Tacoma Online High School Tacoma 1.6 mi
Delong Elementary School Tacoma 2.4 mi 8.5
The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma 2.3 mi
Lowell Elementary School Tacoma 1.8 mi 6.6
Science and Math Institute Tacoma 2.0 mi 6.6
Grant Elementary School Tacoma 2.1 mi 7.5
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 1.9 mi 5.4
Franklin Elementary School Tacoma 2.6 mi 6.2
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 2.5 mi 7.6

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 Sherman 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
Beacon Avenue Elementary School Montesano, WA 7.5
Blaine Primary School Blaine, WA 7.5
Burnt Bridge Creek Elementary Sch Vancouver, WA 7.5
Campbell Hill Elementary School Seattle, WA 7.5
Carnation Elementary School Carnation, WA 7.5
Chain Lake Elementary School Snohomish, WA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sherman Elementary School

What grades does Sherman Elementary School serve?

Sherman Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sherman Elementary School?

Sherman Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sherman Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sherman Elementary School is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sherman Elementary School rank in WA?

Sherman Elementary School is ranked #575 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Sherman Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sherman Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Sherman Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sherman Elementary School has 67.0% math proficiency and 74.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sherman Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Sherman Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Sherman Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sherman Elementary School?

19.6% of students at Sherman 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#15 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 methodology

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