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Downing Elementary School

Q: Is Downing Elementary School a good school?

Downing Elementary School ranks 683 rd of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

683^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,138 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 40% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Downing Elementary School is a public school in Tacoma serving 298 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Tacoma School District, which ranks 151st out of 238 Washington districts, or the 37th percentile statewide. Downing’s latest statewide ranking is 683rd out of 1,138 elementary schools, placing it in the 40th percentile with a 2-star rating. That is a significant change from 2022–23 and 2023–24, when the school ranked in the 84th percentile, and from 2024–25, when it ranked in the 72nd percentile.

Downing’s 2025–26 proficiency rates were 45.00% in English language arts, 37.82% in math, and 52.78% in science. These results are above district averages in all three subjects, and science is slightly above the state average, but Downing trails most nearby schools. For example, Washington Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Sherman Elementary School, and Point Defiance Elementary School report considerably higher scores. The decline has affected every tested subject since 2023–24, with math and science each falling by more than 27 percentage points. Fourth grade is the clearest concern: ELA proficiency is 35.71% and math proficiency is 26.19%, while third-grade math is a relative strength at 54.76%.

Downing serves a more economically diverse population than several of the highest-performing nearby schools: 53.36% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. More comparable context comes from Skyline Elementary School, which has a similar rate, and DeLong Elementary School, which has a higher rate but somewhat stronger current results. Downing reported the highest per-student spending among the comparison schools, at $23,124, and had an 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Overall, the data suggest a recent schoolwide downturn rather than a long-standing pattern of low performance, with fourth- and fifth-grade math, upper-elementary ELA, and identifying the causes of the sharp decline as key areas for improvement.

298

Students ?

18.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,124

Per pupil spending ?

53.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5130 N. 26th Street
Tacoma, WA 98406

(253) 571-7100

District: Tacoma School District

Students who attend Downing Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Dr. Dolores Silas High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.4%

Two or more races:

19.8%

Hispanic:

11.4%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Downing Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 59th percentile in 2016 → 40th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (43% vs 48% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 19 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school43%

District avg38%

Washington avg48%

683^rd of 1,138

Washington public elementary schools ?

Bottom 40%▼ down 19 pts since 2016

From top 41% (2016) to bottom 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

15^th of 34Elementary Schools in the Tacoma School District

151^st of 238Tacoma 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	39.8	683 of 1138	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	68.6	325 of 1160	72.0%	★★★★☆
2024	83.0	192 of 1168	83.6%	★★★★☆
2023	83.1	188 of 1169	83.9%	★★★★☆
2022	80.0	221 of 1169	81.1%	★★★★☆
2021	65.3	352 of 1107	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	67.9	360 of 1130	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.6	392 of 1054	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	67.5	340 of 1056	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	58.4	431 of 1053	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2015	82.2	161 of 1067	84.9%	★★★★☆
2013	56.0	511 of 1106	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	58.9	455 of 1097	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	57.0	471 of 1092	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	40.4	692 of 1088	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	40.0	700 of 1072	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2008	56.2	481 of 1067	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	63.8	379 of 1069	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2006	53.5	499 of 1051	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2005	50.2	525 of 1031	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2004	50.9	519 of 1026	49.4%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	44.9	584 of 1020	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	64.6	344 of 1092	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	75.3	243 of 1093	77.8%	★★★★☆
2023	82.0	175 of 1094	84.0%	★★★★☆
2022	71.8	288 of 1100	73.8%	★★★★☆
2021	66.6	301 of 1008	70.1%	★★★★☆
2019	64.1	384 of 1068	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.2	375 of 1004	62.6%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	55.9	426 of 1008	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	76.1	159 of 1013	84.3%	★★★★☆
2024	92.3	20 of 1024	98.0%	★★★★★
2023	78.8	138 of 1013	86.4%	★★★★☆
2022	87.4	47 of 1019	95.4%	★★★★★
2019	65.3	283 of 979	71.1%	★★★★☆
2018	74.5	129 of 835	84.6%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	43.5	611 of 1059	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	70.1	300 of 1098	72.7%	★★★★☆
2024	81.2	194 of 1099	82.3%	★★★★☆
2023	75.8	239 of 1099	78.3%	★★★★☆
2022	87.3	124 of 1113	88.9%	★★★★☆
2021	64.9	327 of 1025	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.9	322 of 1075	70.0%	★★★★☆
2018	55.1	449 of 999	55.1%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	36.6	621 of 901	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	70.8	279 of 1007	72.3%	★★★★☆
2024	78.8	195 of 1009	80.7%	★★★★☆
2023	79.7	182 of 1011	82.0%	★★★★☆
2022	77.0	219 of 1031	78.8%	★★★★☆
2021	63.7	322 of 943	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.9	416 of 1027	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.6	331 of 833	60.3%	★★★☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)58th percentile+18 vs school

Female (2026)43rd percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)42nd percentile~ school

White (2026)31st percentile-9 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

Science53%~ state avg

English Language Arts45%-8 vs state

Math38%-5 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★0

4★1

3★0

2★1

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, March 28, 2021

The principal is rude and speaks poorly about you’re a child when they’re having a bad day. Also there is absolutely zero recycling, everything goes straight to the trash. Close Quote

Schools Near Downing 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 Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WCAS Science (2026)		SBAC English Language Arts (2026)					SBAC Math (2026)				% Completely Immunized (2024)	% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Diphtheria (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% Pertussis (2024)	% Tetanus (2024)	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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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 All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Measles KG	% Mumps KG	% Rubella KG	% Diphtheria KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% Pertussis KG	% Tetanus KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Downing Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5130 N. 26th Street	Tacoma	98406	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-7100	298	17	18.0	53.4%	174 (58.4%)	20 (6.7%)	34 (11.4%)	5 (1.7%)	1 (0.3%)	5 (1.7%)	59 (19.8%)	39.8	683^rd of 1138 public elementary schools	40.0%		68.6	325^th of 1160 public elementary schools	72.0%	358	52.8	52.8	47.6	35.7	52.8		45.0	54.8	26.2	31.4	37.8	90.7	90.7	93.0	93.0	93.0	90.7	93.0	90.7	90.7	90.7	$23,124	$1,909	$21,215
Skyline Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6301 N. 23rd St	Tacoma	98406	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 571-7800	329	22	15.1	53.2%	162 (49.2%)	30 (9.1%)	58 (17.6%)	11 (3.3%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	65 (19.8%)	41.1	660^th of 1138 public elementary schools	42.0%		45.9	603^rd of 1160 public elementary schools	48.0%	57	47.4	47.4	34.9	46.8	57.9		46.1	44.2	51.1	21.1	39.8	93.3	95.0	95.0	95.0	95.0	95.0	93.3	93.3	95.0	95.0	$21,344	$1,257	$20,087
Jefferson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4302 North 13th St	Tacoma	98406	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-4000	358	19	18.5	38.0%	187 (52.2%)	24 (6.7%)	50 (14.0%)	18 (5.0%)	2 (0.6%)	3 (0.8%)	73 (20.4%)	87.3	152^nd of 1138 public elementary schools	86.6%		84	178^th of 1160 public elementary schools	84.7%	26	69.1	69.1	75.0	77.8	70.9		74.7	83.3	68.3	49.1	67.4	82.9	90.2	95.1	95.1	95.1	90.2	92.7	92.7	90.2	90.2	$22,768	$3,463	$19,306
Tacoma Online Elementary School	Public, Virtual	K-5	3319 S. Adams Street	Tacoma	98409	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(253) 571-1545	144	11	12.8	66.0%	34 (23.6%)	28 (19.4%)	37 (25.7%)	7 (4.9%)	2 (1.4%)	8 (5.6%)	28 (19.4%)								(n/a)							78.6				71.4	71.4	76.2	76.2	76.2	76.2	76.2	76.2	76.2	76.2	76.2	$21,210	$1,472	$19,738
Washington Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2615 N. Adams Street	Tacoma	98407	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-5700	383	19	19.8	20.9%	277 (72.3%)	11 (2.9%)	35 (9.1%)	15 (3.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (11.5%)	89	128^th of 1138 public elementary schools	88.8%		85.3	165^th of 1160 public elementary schools	85.8%	37			67.3	69.2	76.1		70.6	72.7	69.2	65.2	69.3	96.7	96.7	98.3	98.3	98.3	96.7	96.7	98.3	96.7	96.7	$20,644	$1,359	$19,286
Sherman Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4415 N 38th St	Tacoma	98407	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-5488	432	22	20.0	19.4%	315 (72.9%)	4 (0.9%)	48 (11.1%)	13 (3.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (11.3%)	85.3	172^nd of 1138 public elementary schools	84.9%		84.2	175^th of 1160 public elementary schools	84.9%	3	72.2	72.2	82.4	65.8	75.3		74.4	75.7	68.4	45.2	63.2	93.2	93.2	93.2	93.2	93.2	93.2	96.6	93.2	93.2	93.2	$18,251	$629	$17,623
Nell Hoyt Day School	Public	K-8	2708 N Union Ave	Tacoma	98407	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(253) 571-1224	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Point Defiance Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4330 N Visscher St	Tacoma	98407	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-6900	301	19	16.2	33.9%	191 (63.5%)	13 (4.3%)	39 (13.0%)	16 (5.3%)	4 (1.3%)	7 (2.3%)	31 (10.3%)	78.6	234^th of 1138 public elementary schools	79.4%		78.5	227^th of 1160 public elementary schools	80.4%	7	81.0	81.0	56.1	58.2	83.3		64.3	70.2	53.6	54.8	60.0	88.9	88.9	97.2	97.2	97.2	91.7	91.7	97.2	91.7	91.7	$20,644	$680	$19,964
Delong Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4901 S 14 st St	Tacoma	98405	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	Yes	(253) 571-5800	349	22	15.8	62.8%	104 (29.8%)	65 (18.6%)	79 (22.6%)	11 (3.2%)	1 (0.3%)	17 (4.9%)	72 (20.6%)	49.8	546^th of 1138 public elementary schools	52.0%		47	592^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	49.0%	46	56.9	56.9	43.6	50.0	60.0		50.6	40.3	40.9	50.0	43.3	90.9	90.9	90.9	90.9	90.9	90.9	95.5	90.9	90.9	90.9	$21,463	$2,206	$19,257
Geiger Montessori School	Public	PK, KG-5	7401 S 8th St	Tacoma	98465	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-6800	521	25	20.9	39.7%	264 (50.7%)	52 (10.0%)	91 (17.5%)	27 (5.2%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	83 (15.9%)	62.3	394^th of 1138 public elementary schools	65.4%		65.2	376^th of 1160 public elementary schools	67.6%	18	69.9	69.9	37.5	59.5	74.0		57.1	41.7	43.2	61.6	48.9	90.2	96.3	93.9	93.9	93.9	93.9	96.3	91.5	93.9	93.9	$20,484	$1,601	$18,882

Frequently Asked Questions about Downing Elementary School

How many students attend Downing Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 298 students attended Downing Elementary School.

What district is Downing Elementary School in?

Tacoma School District

Is Downing Elementary School a good school?

Downing Elementary School ranks 683^rd of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Downing Elementary School?

Students at Downing Elementary School are 58% White, 20% Two or more races, 11% Hispanic, 7% African American, 2% Asian, 2% Pacific Islander.

What schools do graduates of Downing Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Downing Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Dr. Dolores Silas High School

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Latest Washington data All new data »

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

2024–25 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2025

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.