Average
#1392 of 2,228 schools in WA
Whittier Elementary School
Elementary School · Tacoma School District
777 Elm Tree Ln, Tacoma, WA 98466
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,392 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#50 of 88
public schools
In district
#37 of 62
Tacoma School District
Academic performance
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Whittier Elementary School
Elementary School in Tacoma · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Wainwright Intermediate School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Evergreen Primary
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Whittier Elementary School serves approximately 320 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Whittier Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,392 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Whittier Elementary School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 6.9
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at Whittier 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
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 28 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: 3.8/10.
How Whittier Elementary School Compares
See how Whittier Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Jefferson Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Geiger Montessori School (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Evergreen Primary (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby University Place), which scores notably higher. 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 | 4.5 |
| Evergreen Primary University Place | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Foss High School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| MONTESSORI IN MOTION University Place | 1.1 mi | — |
| Delong Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Oakland High School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Narrows View Intermediate University Pla | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Drum Intermediate University Pla | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Geiger Montessori School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Curtis Senior High University Place | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Gray Middle School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Manitou Park Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Olympia, WA | 5.8 |
| Green Gables Elementary School Federal Way, WA | 5.8 |
| Hidden Creek Elementary School Port Orchard, WA | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary Ellensburg, WA | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Olympia, WA | 5.8 |
| Mt. Stuart Elementary Ellensburg, WA | 5.8 |
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 ranks #1,392 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Whittier Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whittier Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Whittier Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Whittier Elementary School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.8%
- Phone
- (253) 571-7500
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #37 of 62
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