Average
#1118 of 2,225 schools in WA
Whitman Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
1120 S 39th St, Tacoma, WA 98408
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#46 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#779 of 1,202
In district
#36 of 62
Tacoma School District
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Whitman Elementary School
Whitman Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 342 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s setting is within a mid-size city, providing a diverse urban environment for its young learners.
Whitman Elementary School's academic performance places it at the 44th percentile among Washington state schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.9 out of 10. In standardized testing, students show proficiency rates of 36% in ELA/reading, 35% in math, and 36% in science across all grades. While the school is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth, it offers a supportive learning environment that emphasizes individual attention with its relatively low student-to-teacher ratio.
Whitman Elementary School is situated in an urban setting within Tacoma, where students can benefit from the city’s resources and community programs. Whitman Elementary School serves as a vibrant part of the Tacoma community, providing educational opportunities for young learners in a dynamic mid-size city environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 13 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: 5.9/10.
How Whitman Elementary School Compares
See how Whitman Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 35% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 31.9% (2024).
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. Reed Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mann Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lyon Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 5.8 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Reed Elementary School Tacoma | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Willard Early Learning Center Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Lyon Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Edna Travis Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Insight School of WA Open Doors Program Tacoma | 1.2 mi | — |
| Tacoma Open Doors Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Stanley Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| Madison Headstart Tacoma | 1.3 mi | — |
| Summit Public School: Olympus Seattle | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | — |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whitman Elementary School has a median household income of $78,855. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $379,400, with a median rent of $1,610/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Bay View Elementary Burlington, WA | 6.4 |
| Bridgeport Elementary Bridgeport, WA | 6.4 |
| Canyon View Elementary School Kennewick, WA | 6.4 |
| Edmonds Elementary Edmonds, WA | 6.4 |
| HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Kirkland, WA | 6.4 |
| Hough Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #1118 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Whitman Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whitman Elementary School 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.
What are the test scores at Whitman Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitman Elementary School has 35.3% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (6,715/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 571-7272
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #36 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 methodologyRelated reading
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