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Excellent

#94 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 4% in state

University Place Primary

Elementary School · University Place School District

2708 W GRANDVIEW DR, University Pla, WA 98466

Enrollment

520

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In University Pla

#1 of 4

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#91 of 1,202

In district

#1 of 8

University Place School District

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About University Place Primary

University Place Primary serves 520 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade as a regular public school in University Place, Washington. With a composite score of 8.9/10 — rated "Excellent" — the school ranks #137 of 2,225 public schools across Washington, placing it in the top 6% statewide. The academic profile sets the school apart.

A 9.8/10 academic score and a 9.2/10 growth score put University Place Primary among the strongest elementary schools in the state. It ranks #132 of 1,202 Washington elementary schools — a comparison that measures it directly against grade-level peers. Overall, the school outperforms 94% of Washington public schools on composite metrics, with both achievement and growth scores holding up against that benchmark.

Within University Place, the school holds the #2 position out of 4 schools, making it one of the top local options for families with children in the early grades. Class sizes remain manageable at a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. The numbers tell a consistent story: strong proficiency, strong growth, and a statewide rank that puts University Place Primary well above most of its peers.

What's said publicly about University Place Primary

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

University Place Primary is part of the University Place School District (UPSD). The district's website indicates that kindergarten registration for UPSD residents is scheduled to begin online on February 7, 2026 1 . Recent district communications note that all University Place schools were closed for spring break from April 6 to April 10, 2026 1 . Additionally, a scheduled snow makeup day resulted in no school on Friday, March 20, 2026 1 . Superintendent updates from March 2026 referenced a snowstorm occurring on March 13, 2026, and thanked parents for their patience 1 . The district states that students are expected to meet or exceed high academic standards by acquiring essential knowledge and skills 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. upp.upsd83.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.9%
Math vs. State Avg+22 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.5 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+26.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,594

University Place Primary — Students at University Place Primary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 74.5%
School
State
46.8%
ELA Proficiency 74.2%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2022
ELA
72%
2024
Math
73.7%
ELA
75.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.

How University Place Primary Compares

See how University Place Primary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.9/10
96th percentile in WA
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

2708 W GRANDVIEW DR, University Pla, WA 98466

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University Place Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chambers Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Whittier Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Geiger Montessori School (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), with a comparable rating. For more schools in University Pla, see our University Pla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Curtis Junior High University Place 0.7 mi 5.4
Curtis Senior High University Place 0.9 mi 7.6
MONTESSORI IN MOTION University Place 0.8 mi
Narrows View Intermediate University Pla 1.2 mi 7.3
Sunset Primary University Place 1.4 mi 7.3
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 1.3 mi 5.4
Evergreen Primary University Place 1.4 mi 6.5
Drum Intermediate University Pla 1.6 mi 5.6
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 1.6 mi 7.9
Chambers Elementary University Pla 1.8 mi 8.8
CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY Tacoma 2.2 mi 7.7
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 1.9 mi 7.6
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 1.7 mi 5.5
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place 2.1 mi 6.0
Whittier Elementary School Tacoma 1.8 mi 8.8
The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma 2.2 mi
Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma 2.7 mi 4.9
Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma 2.7 mi 4.5
Tacoma Online High School Tacoma 2.7 mi
Skyline Elementary School Tacoma 2.8 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98466 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,598

Median Home Value

$564,400

Median Rent

$1,724/mo

Population

30,622

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

53%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding University Place Primary has a median household income of $94,598. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $564,400, with a median rent of $1,724/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Benjamin Franklin Elementary Kirkland, WA 8.9
Benjamin Franklin Elementary Vancouver, WA 8.9
Cedar Trails Elementary Sammamish, WA 8.9
Emily Dickinson Elementary Redmond, WA 8.9
Grand Ridge Elementary Issaquah, WA 8.9
Lincoln Heights Elementary Spokane, WA 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University Place Primary

What grades does University Place Primary serve?

University Place Primary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend University Place Primary?

University Place Primary has an enrollment of approximately 520 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University Place Primary?

The student-teacher ratio at University Place Primary is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University Place Primary rank in WA?

University Place Primary is ranked #94 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is University Place Primary's MySchoolScout rating?

University Place Primary has a composite rating of 8.9 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 University Place Primary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, University Place Primary has 74.5% math proficiency and 74.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is University Place Primary a charter school?

No, University Place Primary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is University Place Primary a Title I school?

No, University Place Primary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University Place Primary?

45.0% of students at University Place Primary 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
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
58 Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (763/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

University Place School District
District Enrollment
5,606
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,994
District Rank
#1 of 8

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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