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Average

#188 of 381 private schools in WA

Top 49% of private schools

St Mary's Academy

School

757 138TH ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 78 schools in Tacoma. Learn more

Enrollment

39

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 9th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#11 of 18

public schools

Washington schools

#39 of 94

About St Mary's Academy

St. Mary's Academy serves 39 students in grades kindergarten through ninth in Tacoma's Pierce County. This small regular public school offers an intimate learning environment with just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an impressive 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and close mentorship.

The school has earned a solid 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #95 out of 381 schools statewide, placing it in the 75th percentile among Washington schools. This strong performance suggests St. Mary's Academy is effectively serving its student community despite its modest size.

The school draws from the 98444 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $60,855 and median home values reach $326,000. With 16% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 15.6%, the neighborhood reflects a working-class community with diverse economic backgrounds. The area's population of 35,366 provides a substantial community base while maintaining a more personal, connected feel than urban centers.

St. Mary's Academy's combination of small class sizes and strong academic standing makes it an appealing option for families seeking individualized education in Tacoma's large suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 39 students, St Mary's Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, St Mary's Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, St Mary's Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Mary's Academy compares to 87 public schools serving similar grades in Tacoma, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
This School
vs
17.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
39
This School
vs
469
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
6.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 69.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 20.5% vs 0%
St Mary's Academy Tacoma Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
St Mary's Academy (this school) 6.4
Gates Secondary School 8.1
Brookdale Elementary 6.7
Elmhurst Elementary School 6.9
Perry G Keithley Middle School 5.0
Washington High School 4.6
Spanaway Middle School 7.2
Chester H Thompson Elementary 4.0
James Sales Elementary 8.7
Collins Elementary 6.3
Christensen Elementary 7.2
Franklin Pierce High School 4.7
Morris Ford Middle School 5.8
Naches Trail Elementary 5.0
Midland Elementary 6.3
Helen Stafford Elementary School 4.2
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School 8.3
Larchmont Elementary School 7.4
Fern Hill Elementary School 7.6
Clover Creek Elementary 8.1
Baker Middle School 6.6

Showing 20 of 87 schools. View all schools in Tacoma

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in WA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,232
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 47%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 39
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in WA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 69.2%
Hispanic 20.5%
Pacific Islander 10.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

757 138TH ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Mary's Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Camas Prairie Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores notably higher. Another option is James Sales Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gates Secondary School (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 0.4 mi 8.1
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 0.5 mi 6.7
IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma 0.6 mi
Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma 1.0 mi 5.0
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 1.0 mi 5.6
Washington High School Tacoma 1.0 mi 4.6
Early Learning Center Tacoma 1.1 mi 5.2
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.9
Spanaway Middle School Tacoma 1.3 mi 7.2
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 1.4 mi 5.7
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 1.6 mi 4.1
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 1.6 mi 8.7
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 1.7 mi 5.2
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 1.5 mi 4.0
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 1.9 mi 4.9
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 2.2 mi 7.2
Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway 2.6 mi 9.3
Collins Elementary Tacoma 1.9 mi 6.3
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma 2.7 mi 5.1
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 2.3 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98444 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,464

Median Home Value

$369,500

Median Rent

$1,581/mo

Population

35,660

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

45.8%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

34.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Mary's Academy has a median household income of $64,464. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,500, with a median rent of $1,581/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
K-SCHOOL Des Moines, WA 6.4
Bainbridge Special Education Services Bainbridge Island, WA 6.5
SALISH SCHOOL OF SPOKANE Spokane, WA 6.3
EXCELSIOR YOUTH CENTER Spokane, WA 6.6
Renton Academy Renton, WA 6.6
ACADEMY SCHOOLS Tukwila, WA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Mary's Academy

What grades does St Mary's Academy serve?

St Mary's Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 9th.

How many students attend St Mary's Academy?

St Mary's Academy has an enrollment of approximately 39 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary's Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at St Mary's Academy is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Mary's Academy rank in WA?

St Mary's Academy is ranked #188 out of 381 private schools in WA.

What is St Mary's Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

St Mary's Academy has a composite rating of 6.4 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.

Is St Mary's Academy a private school?

Yes, St Mary's Academy is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Mary's Academy a religious school?

St Mary's Academy has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

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 PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 9th
Enrollment
39
Gender Split
56% M / 44% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
176 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
PIERCE
Data Year
2022–2023

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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