Excellent
#123 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 6% in state
Whittier Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
777 Elm Tree Ln, Tacoma, WA 98466
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#2 of 83
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#118 of 1,202
In district
#2 of 62
Tacoma School District
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of the Tacoma School District. The school serves approximately 320 students in grades Pre-K – 3rd with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 94.5th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 51% proficiency in math, 5 points above the state average and 51% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $94,598, where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Whittier Elementary School — Students at Whittier Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 7 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Whittier Elementary School Compares
See how Whittier Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 56.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 51.5% (2024).
Location
777 Elm Tree Ln, Tacoma, WA 98466
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whittier Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Delong Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Jefferson Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Geiger Montessori School (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Evergreen Primary University Place | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Foss High School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| MONTESSORI IN MOTION University Place | 1.1 mi | — |
| Delong Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma | 1.7 mi | — |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Hunt Middle School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Oakland High School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Narrows View Intermediate University Pla | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Drum Intermediate University Pla | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Geiger Montessori School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Curtis Senior High University Place | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Gray Middle School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Manitou Park Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
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 Whittier Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| Bemiss Elementary Spokane, WA | 8.8 |
| Catharine Blaine K-8 School Seattle, WA | 8.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Seattle, WA | 8.8 |
| Horace Mann Elementary Redmond, WA | 8.8 |
| Jefferson Elementary Spokane, WA | 8.8 |
| Maplewood Heights Elementary School Renton, WA | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whittier Elementary School
What grades does Whittier Elementary School serve?
Whittier Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend Whittier Elementary School?
Whittier Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whittier Elementary School rank in WA?
Whittier Elementary School is ranked #123 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Whittier Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whittier Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Whittier Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier Elementary School has 51.4% math proficiency and 50.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whittier Elementary School a charter school?
No, Whittier Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whittier Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Whittier Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whittier Elementary School?
60.0% of students at Whittier 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 320
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 571-7500
- 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
- #2 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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