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Fife Elementary School

Q: Is Fife Elementary School a good school?

Fife Elementary School ranks 763 rd of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Fife Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 866 students attended Fife Elementary School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Fife Elementary School?

Students at Fife Elementary School are 29% White, 24% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 12% Pacific Islander, 10% Asian, 10% African American.

Public Grades K-5

763^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,138 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 33% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Fife Elementary School is a large K–5 school in Tacoma’s Fife area, serving 866 students in the Fife School District. The school ranks in the 33rd percentile statewide, while the district ranks in the 45th percentile. Its ranking has improved meaningfully from the 22nd percentile in 2022–2023, although it has slipped from the upper 30s in the previous two years.

Academic results are mixed by subject. In 2025–2026, Fife students were proficient in 37.65% of ELA assessments, 36.14% of math assessments, and 55.97% of science assessments. Science is the school’s clearest strength: its result was about 12 percentage points above the district and about 5 points above Washington’s result. Math was slightly above the district average, while ELA trailed both district and state results. Compared with nearby schools, Fife generally performs better than Lister Elementary School, Blix Elementary School, and Roosevelt Elementary School, but it trails stronger performers such as N.E. Tacoma Elementary School and Northwood Elementary in all three subjects.

Grade-level results point to the biggest need in third- and fourth-grade literacy and math. Fifth-grade performance was stronger, including 50.74% ELA proficiency, 41.79% math proficiency, and 55.97% science proficiency. The school serves a relatively high-need population, with 60.28% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and has a 16.6-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Recent science growth is encouraging, but ELA and math declined from the prior year. Overall, Fife appears to be improving over the longer term, with notable science strengths and competitive math results, while earlier-grade instruction, literacy, and support for low-income and English-learner students remain important priorities.

866

Students ?

16.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,328

Per pupil spending ?

60.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

84.3%

Kindergartners complete for all required immunizations (2025-26)

Exemptions: 8.3% (any vaccine)

5804 20th Street E
Tacoma, WA 98424

(253) 517-1400

District: Fife School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

28.8%

Hispanic:

23.9%

Two or more races:

14.2%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Fife Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 22nd percentile in 2023 → 33rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 11 percentile points since 2023

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (40% vs 48% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!English Language Arts scores 15 pts below the Washington average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school40%

District avg41%

Washington avg48%

763^rd of 1,138

Washington public elementary schools ?

Bottom 33%▲ up 11 pts since 2023

From bottom 22% (2023) to bottom 33% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Elementary Schools in the Fife School District

132^nd of 238Fife School District among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	33.0	763 of 1138	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	36.4	724 of 1160	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.1	740 of 1168	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.0	915 of 1169	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	49.3	32 of 82	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.1	23 of 75	69.3%	★★★★☆
2024	64.8	19 of 71	73.2%	★★★★☆
2023	60.6	23 of 66	65.2%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	18.0	83 of 103	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	39.3	115 of 189	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.2	110 of 163	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	19.6	145 of 170	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	33.5	221 of 326	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.3	203 of 303	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	23.6	257 of 320	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.6	218 of 254	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	36.4	679 of 1020	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	30.2	777 of 1092	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	43.3	604 of 1093	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	22.2	881 of 1094	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	52.3	302 of 649	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	35.7	441 of 659	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.2	372 of 651	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	23.6	528 of 633	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	20.5	8 of 10	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	33.1	738 of 1008	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	41.3	622 of 1013	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.1	651 of 1024	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	23.1	863 of 1013	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	35.8	709 of 1059	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.7	637 of 1098	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	29.1	786 of 1099	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.9	842 of 1099	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	40.3	71 of 119	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.6	127 of 197	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.3	114 of 188	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	33.2	141 of 194	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	13.2	2 of 2	0.0%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2023	53.9	125 of 308	59.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	39.4	590 of 901	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	47.9	520 of 1007	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.1	611 of 1009	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	35.7	679 of 1011	32.8%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2026)61st percentile+28 vs school

Special Education (2023)59th percentile+38 vs school

Hispanic (2026)53rd percentile+21 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)40th percentile+7 vs school

White (2026)35th percentile~ school

Female (2026)33rd percentile~ school

Male (2026)33rd percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2026)32nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)27th percentile-6 vs school

Homeless (2025)20th percentile-18 vs school

Asian (2026)19th percentile-14 vs school

Pacific Islander (2025)<1st percentile-38 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

Science56%+5 vs state

English Language Arts38%-15 vs state

Math36%-7 vs state

★

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Schools Near Fife Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WCAS Science (2026)		SBAC English Language Arts (2026)					SBAC Math (2026)					Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 5th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 4th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 5th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 3rd Grade	SBAC Math 4th Grade	SBAC Math 5th Grade	SBAC Math 6th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners complete for all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Fife Elementary School	Public	K-5	5804 20th Street E	Tacoma	98424	Pierce County	Fife School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 517-1400	866	52	16.6	60.3%	249 (28.8%)	88 (10.2%)	207 (23.9%)	90 (10.4%)	4 (0.5%)	105 (12.1%)	123 (14.2%)	33	763^rd of 1138 public elementary schools	33.0%		36.4	724^th of 1160 public elementary schools	37.6%	39	56.0	56.0	28.3	34.3	50.7		37.7	35.5	31.5	41.8		36.1	84.3%	8.3%	$18,328	$659	$17,668
Discovery Primary School	Public	PK, KG-2	1205 19th Avenue	Milton	98354	Pierce County	Fife School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 517-1200	506	32	15.8	50.0%	213 (42.1%)	29 (5.7%)	127 (25.1%)	47 (9.3%)	2 (0.4%)	18 (3.6%)	70 (13.8%)								(n/a)													79%	14.3%	$21,999	$1,026	$20,973
Roosevelt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3550 E Roosevelt Ave	Tacoma	98404	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 571-4400	270	17	15.9	75.9%	35 (13.0%)	53 (19.6%)	89 (33.0%)	18 (6.7%)	11 (4.1%)	22 (8.1%)	41 (15.2%)	14.3	971^st of 1138 public elementary schools	14.7%		11.4	1070^th of 1160 public elementary schools	7.8%	99	36.1	36.1	30.0	30.6	27.8		29.5	30.0	19.4	25.0		25.0	87.5%	0%	$25,563	$2,777	$22,786
Northwood Elementary	Public	K-6	9805 24th St E	Edgewood	98371	Pierce County	Puyallup School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 841-8740	732	43	16.9	43.3%	318 (43.4%)	44 (6.0%)	108 (14.8%)	112 (15.3%)	6 (0.8%)	27 (3.7%)	117 (16.0%)	57.3	457^th of 1138 public elementary schools	59.8%		62.6	402^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	65.3%	55	57.3	57.3	42.0	55.1	54.6		52.7	59.7	50.0	46.4		54.4	79.3%	19.5%	$16,794	$328	$16,466
Lister Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2106 E 44th St	Tacoma	98404	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 571-2900	376	22	17.3	78.7%	49 (13.0%)	85 (22.6%)	68 (18.1%)	58 (15.4%)	3 (0.8%)	30 (8.0%)	83 (22.1%)	9.1	1049^th of 1138 public elementary schools	7.8%		9.6	1099^th of 1160 public elementary schools	5.3%	50	26.4	26.4	26.2	17.0	28.3		23.7	33.9	10.2	15.1		20.3	86.9%	1.6%	$23,364	$3,717	$19,647
Impact Public Schools	Public, Charter	K-5	1301 E 34th Street	Tacoma	98404	Pierce County	Impact \| Commencement Bay Elementary	Yes	No	No	Yes	(206) 769-3429	232	17	13.6	65.9%	50 (21.6%)	56 (24.1%)	63 (27.2%)	7 (3.0%)	3 (1.3%)	5 (2.2%)	48 (20.7%)	33.2	759^th of 1138 public elementary schools	33.3%		44.9	613^th of 1160 public elementary schools	47.2%	146	50.0	50.0	37.0	50.0	46.9		43.7	33.3	27.5	39.4		33.1	91.4%	2.9%	$21,390	$699	$20,692
Blix Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1302 E 38th St	Tacoma	98404	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 571-7400	442	26	17.1	71.9%	88 (19.9%)	43 (9.7%)	187 (42.3%)	53 (12.0%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.6%)	54 (12.2%)	15.3	959^th of 1138 public elementary schools	15.7%		16	1013^th of 1160 public elementary schools	12.7%	54	26.6	26.6	26.7	38.7	26.6		30.7	35.0	29.0	20.3		28.0	94.2%	4.3%	$21,433	$2,124	$19,309
Waller Road Elementary	Public	K-6	6312 Waller Rd E	Tacoma	98443	Pierce County	Puyallup School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 841-8745	306	22	13.8	60.8%	159 (52.0%)	6 (2.0%)	65 (21.2%)	15 (4.9%)	16 (5.2%)	3 (1.0%)	42 (13.7%)	36.1	735^th of 1138 public elementary schools	35.4%		29.4	831^st of 1160 public elementary schools	28.4%	96	39.5	39.5	30.8	32.1	25.6	62.5	37.1	53.9	30.2	30.2	55.0	41.1	94.6%	5.4%	$20,703	$1,166	$19,537
Karshner Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	1328 8th Ave NW	Puyallup	98371	Pierce County	Puyallup School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 841-8736	405	28	14.3	53.8%	153 (37.8%)	27 (6.7%)	147 (36.3%)	29 (7.2%)	3 (0.7%)	9 (2.2%)	37 (9.1%)	51.2	534^th of 1138 public elementary schools	53.1%		26.6	873^rd of 1160 public elementary schools	24.7%	339	48.9	48.9	55.8	31.3	56.8	57.6	49.3	55.8	28.1	46.7	45.9	43.2	89.1%	9.4%	$17,213	$957	$16,257
N.E. Tacoma Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5412 29th St Ne	Tacoma	98422	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-6933	418	23	17.8	53.8%	138 (33.0%)	27 (6.5%)	110 (26.3%)	62 (14.8%)	6 (1.4%)	8 (1.9%)	67 (16.0%)	63.5	384^th of 1138 public elementary schools	66.3%		61.2	421^st of 1160 public elementary schools	63.7%	37	56.9	56.9	49.3	58.2	53.5		53.6	56.3	64.2	43.9		55.4	87%	7.2%	$21,142	$654	$20,488

Frequently Asked Questions about Fife Elementary School

What district is Fife Elementary School in?

Fife School District

Is Fife Elementary School a good school?

Fife Elementary School ranks 763^rd of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Fife Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 866 students attended Fife Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Fife Elementary School?

Students at Fife Elementary School are 29% White, 24% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 12% Pacific Islander, 10% Asian, 10% African American.

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2016–17 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 8, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.