Tacoma School District schools - district elementary, middle, and high school information

Welcome! Sign In My School List (0)


Schools Community Articles

Home

Research & Compare

Parent Community

Learning Disabilities

Action for Education

Library

Tacoma School District

This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

P.O. Box 1357
Tacoma, WA 98401
Pierce County
Map >

PH: (253) 571-1010
FAX: (253) 571-2550

Grades PK-12
29,801 students
61 schools

View all schools in this district >

Compare schools in this district:

WASL Results

Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

Grade 3

Reading

64% (2008)

65% (2007)

63% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2008.

Math

61% (2008)

64% (2007)

52% (2006)
The state average for Math was 68% in 2008.

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 4

Reading

66% (2008)

70% (2007)

75% (2006)

76% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 72% in 2008.

Writing

58% (2008)

54% (2007)

55% (2006)

59% (2005)
The state average for Writing was 62% in 2008.

Math

47% (2008)

46% (2007)

43% (2006)

50% (2005)
The state average for Math was 53% in 2008.

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 5

Reading

69% (2008)

65% (2007)

70% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 75% in 2008.

Science

30% (2008)

23% (2007)

24% (2006)
The state average for Science was 43% in 2008.

Math

51% (2008)

54% (2007)

46% (2006)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 6

Reading

59% (2008)

58% (2007)

55% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2008.

Math

37% (2008)

40% (2007)

33% (2006)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2008.

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 7

Reading

58% (2008)

61% (2007)

54% (2006)

58% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 63% in 2008.

Writing

65% (2008)

58% (2007)

57% (2006)

48% (2005)
The state average for Writing was 70% in 2008.

Math

41% (2008)

43% (2007)

33% (2006)

35% (2005)
The state average for Math was 50% in 2008.

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 8

Reading

59% (2008)

55% (2007)

61% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 66% in 2008.

Science

34% (2008)

28% (2007)

28% (2006)
The state average for Science was 48% in 2008.

Math

41% (2008)

36% (2007)

35% (2006)
The state average for Math was 52% in 2008.

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 10

Reading

71% (2008)

70% (2007)

64% (2006)

60% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 81% in 2008.

Science

27% (2008)

24% (2007)

21% (2006)
The state average for Science was 40% in 2008.

Writing

81% (2008)

70% (2007)

65% (2006)

55% (2005)
The state average for Writing was 86% in 2008.

Math

32% (2008)

36% (2007)

32% (2006)

33% (2005)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2008.

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

About the tests

In 2007-2008 Washington used the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8 and 10, in writing in grades 4, 7 and 10 and in science in grades 5, 8 and 10.
The WASL is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington.
The grade 10 WASL is a high school graduation requirement.
The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

Testing in Washington: An Overview

See Washington's state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

WASL Results by Subgroup

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

Grade 3

Reading	This District
All Students	64%
Female	72%
Male	58%
Black	55%
Asian	73%
Hispanic	49%
American Indian	63%
White	73%
Low income	55%
Special education	32%
Limited English	34%

Math	This District
All Students	61%
Female	64%
Male	59%
Black	50%
Asian	72%
Hispanic	47%
American Indian	54%
White	71%
Low income	52%
Special education	35%
Limited English	34%

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 4

Reading	This District
All Students	66%
Female	71%
Male	62%
Black	59%
Asian	73%
Hispanic	54%
American Indian	64%
White	73%
Low income	59%
Special education	34%
Limited English	30%

Writing	This District
All Students	58%
Female	66%
Male	51%
Black	53%
Asian	67%
Hispanic	50%
American Indian	43%
White	63%
Low income	51%
Special education	29%
Limited English	30%

Math	This District
All Students	47%
Female	48%
Male	46%
Black	31%
Asian	56%
Hispanic	38%
American Indian	49%
White	57%
Low income	37%
Special education	19%
Limited English	19%

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 5

Reading	This District
All Students	69%
Female	73%
Male	65%
Black	61%
Asian	74%
Hispanic	58%
American Indian	63%
White	75%
Low income	60%
Special education	39%
Limited English	36%

Science	This District
All Students	30%
Female	34%
Male	25%
Black	18%
Asian	35%
Hispanic	18%
American Indian	5%
White	39%
Low income	19%
Special education	15%
Limited English	4%

Math	This District
All Students	51%
Female	54%
Male	48%
Black	36%
Asian	61%
Hispanic	40%
American Indian	40%
White	61%
Low income	40%
Special education	21%
Limited English	30%

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 6

Reading	This District
All Students	59%
Female	65%
Male	53%
Black	48%
Asian	64%
Hispanic	46%
American Indian	58%
White	67%
Low income	50%
Special education	29%
Limited English	23%

Math	This District
All Students	37%
Female	39%
Male	35%
Black	20%
Asian	46%
Hispanic	22%
American Indian	33%
White	48%
Low income	26%
Special education	10%
Limited English	11%

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 7

Reading	This District
All Students	58%
Female	63%
Male	53%
Black	49%
Asian	62%
Hispanic	45%
American Indian	42%
White	66%
Low income	47%
Special education	29%
Limited English	15%

Writing	This District
All Students	65%
Female	76%
Male	54%
Black	60%
Asian	72%
Hispanic	55%
American Indian	51%
White	68%
Low income	57%
Special education	32%
Limited English	21%

Math	This District
All Students	41%
Female	42%
Male	40%
Black	24%
Asian	48%
Hispanic	28%
American Indian	31%
White	50%
Low income	29%
Special education	10%
Limited English	11%

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 8

Reading	This District
All Students	59%
Female	66%
Male	53%
Black	48%
Asian	70%
Hispanic	53%
American Indian	43%
White	64%
Low income	50%
Special education	30%
Limited English	23%

Science	This District
All Students	34%
Female	35%
Male	33%
Black	17%
Asian	34%
Hispanic	18%
American Indian	29%
White	46%
Low income	20%
Special education	13%
Limited English	2%

Math	This District
All Students	41%
Female	41%
Male	40%
Black	21%
Asian	51%
Hispanic	27%
American Indian	20%
White	52%
Low income	28%
Special education	10%
Limited English	12%

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

Grade 10

Reading	This District
All Students	71%
Female	72%
Male	63%
Black	60%
Asian	70%
Hispanic	57%
American Indian	58%
White	72%
Low income	59%
Special education	32%
Limited English	28%

Science	This District
All Students	27%
Female	25%
Male	22%
Black	11%
Asian	27%
Hispanic	8%
American Indian	18%
White	31%
Low income	13%
Special education	4%
Limited English	7%

Writing	This District
All Students	81%
Female	82%
Male	73%
Black	74%
Asian	81%
Hispanic	61%
American Indian	68%
White	81%
Low income	72%
Special education	47%
Limited English	46%

Math	This District
All Students	32%
Female	26%
Male	30%
Black	10%
Asian	32%
Hispanic	15%
American Indian	29%
White	38%
Low income	15%
Special education	3%
Limited English	13%

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008

About the tests

In 2007-2008 Washington used the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8 and 10, in writing in grades 4, 7 and 10 and in science in grades 5, 8 and 10.
The WASL is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington.
The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.
The grade 10 WASL is a high school graduation requirement.
The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

Testing in Washington: An Overview

Teachers

Teacher Experience

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008
	This District	State Average
Average years educational experience	13	13

Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >

Teacher Education Levels

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008
	This District	State Average
Master's degree or higher	54%	63%

Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >

Student-Teacher Ratio

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008
	This District	State Average
Students per classroom teacher	17	16

How Important is Class Size? >

Students

Student Ethnicity

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008
Ethnicity	This District	State Average
White	49%	66%
Black	23%	6%
Hispanic	13%	15%
Asian	12%	8%
American Indian/Alaskan Native	2%	3%
Pacific Islander	1%	<1%

How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >

Student Subgroups

Source: WA OSPI, 2007-2008
	This District	State Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program	56%	38%
Special education	13%	13%
Transitional bilingual	6%	8%

The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >

Spending Per Pupil

		This District	State Average
Total per pupil expenditures		$8,456	$9,754

Source: NCES, 2005-2006
Breakdown By Expenditure
Instructional	59%	59%
Student and staff support	13%	8%
Administration	11%	12%
Other expenditures	16%	21%

School Finance: Issues to Consider >

Healthy Kids: Family fitness tips, managing TV time and quick, tasty recipes