Very Good
#699 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 31% in state
Whitman Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
1120 S 39th St, Tacoma, WA 98408
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#699 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#25 of 88
public schools
In district
#18 of 62
Tacoma School District
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Whitman Elementary School?
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Whitman Elementary School
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lincoln High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mann Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Whitman Elementary School
Whitman Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Whitman Elementary School serves approximately 342 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Whitman Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #699 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Whitman Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 6.9
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
51% of students at Whitman Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Whitman Elementary School — Students at Whitman Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.1%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How Whitman Elementary School Compares
See how Whitman 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
1120 S 39th St, Tacoma, WA 98408
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whitman Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lyon Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mann Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Reed Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln High School Tacoma | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Reed Elementary School Tacoma | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Willard Early Learning Center Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Lyon Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Edna Travis Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Insight School of WA Open Doors Program Tacoma | 1.2 mi | — |
| Tacoma Open Doors Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Stanley Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Madison Headstart Tacoma | 1.3 mi | — |
| Summit Public School: Olympus Seattle | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| TACOMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Bates Technical High School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98408 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,855
Median Home Value
$379,400
Median Rent
$1,610/mo
Population
20,469
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
67.4%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
38.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carriage Crest Elementary School Renton, WA | 7.3 |
| Central Emerson Elementary Snohomish, WA | 7.3 |
| Deer Park Elementary Deer Park, WA | 7.3 |
| E Omak Elementary Omak, WA | 7.3 |
| Ella Baker Elementary School Redmond, WA | 7.3 |
| Graham Hill Elementary School Seattle, WA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whitman Elementary School
What grades does Whitman Elementary School serve?
Whitman Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Whitman Elementary School?
Whitman Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitman Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Whitman Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whitman Elementary School rank in WA?
Whitman Elementary School ranks #699 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Whitman Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whitman Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Whitman Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Whitman Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Whitman Elementary School a charter school?
No, Whitman Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whitman Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Whitman Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whitman Elementary School?
75.1% of students at Whitman 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 342
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 50.6%
- Phone
- (253) 571-7272
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #18 of 62
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