Downing Elementary School

Public PK, KG-5

 2502 N Orchard St
       Tacoma, WA  98406


(253) 571-7133

District: Tacoma School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
188th of 1,169 Washington Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $21,551 Help


Students who attend Downing Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Dr. Dolores Silas High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.6 Help
Number of students:  255

Racial breakdown:

White:
58.8%
Two or more races:
20.4%
Hispanic:
11.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  48.2% Help


 See top rated Washington elementary schools

 Compare Downing Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Downing Elementary School ranks better than 83.9% of elementary schools in Washington. It also ranks 6th among 35 ranked elementary schools in the Tacoma School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 83.06. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (58.8%), two or more races (20.4%), Hispanic (11%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 48.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Downing Elementary School is 16.6. 24 elementary schools in the Tacoma School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Downing Elementary School employs 15.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Downing Elementary School is $21,551, which is the 12th highest among 35 elementary schools in the Tacoma School District.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Downing Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Downing Elementary School 188th of 1169 Washington public elementary schools. (See Downing Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Tacoma School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Tacoma School District 150th of 249 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Downing Elementary School?

Rank History for Downing Elementary School

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Downing Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 50.87 519th 1026 49.4%
2005 50.22 525th 1031 49.1%
2006 53.49 499th 1051 52.5%
2007 63.79 379th 1069 64.5%
2008 56.16 481st 1067 54.9%
2009 40.01 700th 1072 34.7%
2010 40.38 692nd 1088 36.4%
2011 56.99 471st 1092 56.9%
2012 58.91 455th 1097 58.5%
2013 56.00 511th 1106 53.8%
2015 82.19 161st 1067 84.9%
2016 58.41 431st 1053 59.1%
2017 67.55 340th 1056 67.8%
2018 62.60 392nd 1054 62.8%
2019 67.94 360th 1130 68.1%
2021 65.29 352nd 1107 68.2%
2022 80.05 221st 1169 81.1%
2023 83.06 188th 1169 83.9%
See the entire list of Washington Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Downing Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.54 129th 835 84.6%
2019 65.29 283rd 979 71.1%
2022 87.43 47th 1019 95.4%
2023 78.76 138th 1013 86.4%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Downing Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.16 375th 1004 62.6%
2019 64.13 384th 1068 64.0%
2021 66.59 301st 1008 70.1%
2022 71.81 288th 1100 73.8%
2023 81.99 175th 1094 84.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Downing Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.10 449th 999 55.1%
2019 68.95 322nd 1075 70.0%
2021 64.93 327th 1025 68.1%
2022 87.25 124th 1113 88.9%
2023 75.77 239th 1099 78.3%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Downing Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.62 331st 833 60.3%
2019 59.88 416th 1027 59.5%
2021 63.65 322nd 943 65.9%
2022 77.04 219th 1031 78.8%
2023 79.72 182nd 1011 82.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Downing Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
0%

50%

0%

50%

0%

  

by a parent
Sunday, March 28, 2021

Open Quote 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



Enrollment information for Downing Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 355 46 15 5 3 n/a n/a 0 424
1989 371 45 14 6 2 n/a n/a 0 438
1990 398 34 21 6 3 n/a n/a 0 462
1991 373 38 16 7 2 n/a n/a 0 436
1992 390 42 22 16 4 n/a n/a 0 474
1993 390 44 14 17 9 n/a n/a 0 474
1994 364 36 15 12 3 n/a n/a 0 430
1995 361 38 7 13 8 n/a n/a 0 427
1996 361 38 7 13 8 n/a n/a 0 427
1997 354 37 15 13 3 n/a n/a 0 422
1998 403 42 13 14 3 n/a n/a 0 475
1999 374 38 19 14 5 n/a n/a 0 450
2000 370 35 19 16 5 n/a n/a 0 445
2001 344 31 27 17 6 n/a n/a 0 425
2002 335 43 23 9 7 n/a n/a 0 417
2003 335 43 23 9 7 n/a n/a 0 417
2004 286 46 19 13 6 n/a n/a 0 370
2005 257 51 25 9 7 n/a n/a 0 349
2006 234 54 28 10 9 n/a n/a 0 335
2007 180 54 29 11 7 n/a n/a 0 281
2008 193 65 28 15 8 n/a n/a 0 309
2009 196 59 25 20 7 n/a n/a 0 307
2010 194 53 28 20 6 n/a n/a 0 301
2011 182 53 24 21 2 3 9 0 294
2012 186 49 20 25 0 4 27 0 311
2013 176 44 18 17 0 3 7 0 265
2014 175 45 14 22 0 3 14 0 273
2015 164 42 15 29 3 1 22 0 276
2016 158 42 17 34 2 1 30 0 284
2017 167 42 15 44 6 2 35 0 311
2018 148 31 11 49 2 0 44 0 285
2019 171 29 9 58 3 1 69 0 340
2020 172 29 9 56 1 1 66 0 334
2021 149 19 6 48 2 0 49 0 273
2022 150 20 5 30 1 0 40 0 246
2023 150 19 5 28 1 0 52 0 255

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Downing Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 424 26.0 16.3 0
1989 438 24.0 18.2 n/a
1990 462 25.8 17.9 0
1991 436 25.0 17.4 n/a
1992 474 27.0 17.5 n/a
1993 474 28.0 16.9 n/a
1994 430 27.5 15.6 n/a
1995 427 24.9 17.1 n/a
1996 427 24.9 17.1 n/a
1997 422 23.5 18.0 n/a
1998 475 23.7 20.0 n/a
1999 450 22.6 19.9 n/a
2000 445 25.5 17.5 n/a
2001 425 21.7 19.6 n/a
2002 417 20.7 20.1 35.3
2003 417 20.7 20.1 35.3
2004 370 20.0 18.5 36.5
2005 349 19.6 17.8 28.4
2006 335 17.1 19.6 36.4
2007 281 14.2 19.8 41.6
2008 309 17.9 17.3 41.1
2009 307 17.9 17.2 45.9
2010 301 18.0 16.6 47.2
2011 294 18.1 16.2 41.8
2012 311 17.1 18.1 38.9
2013 265 17.1 15.4 47.9
2014 273 n/a n/a 53.5
2015 276 20.0 13.8 52.5
2016 284 18.0 15.7 53.2
2017 311 17.6 17.6 53.1
2018 285 17.6 16.1 52.3
2019 340 16.2 20.9 37.6
2020 334 18.2 18.3 48.5
2021 273 16.7 16.3 44.7
2022 246 15.3 16.0 28.9
2023 255 15.2 16.6 48.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Downing Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 424 26.0 16.3 0
1989 438 24.0 18.2 n/a
1990 462 25.8 17.9 0
1991 436 25.0 17.4 n/a
1992 474 27.0 17.5 n/a
1993 474 28.0 16.9 n/a
1994 430 27.5 15.6 n/a
1995 427 24.9 17.1 n/a
1996 427 24.9 17.1 n/a
1997 422 23.5 18.0 n/a
1998 475 23.7 20.0 n/a
1999 450 22.6 19.9 n/a
2000 445 25.5 17.5 n/a
2001 425 21.7 19.6 n/a
2002 417 20.7 20.1 35.3
2003 417 20.7 20.1 35.3
2004 370 20.0 18.5 36.5
2005 349 19.6 17.8 28.4
2006 335 17.1 19.6 36.4
2007 281 14.2 19.8 41.6
2008 309 17.9 17.3 41.1
2009 307 17.9 17.2 45.9
2010 301 18.0 16.6 47.2
2011 294 18.1 16.2 41.8
2012 311 17.1 18.1 38.9
2013 265 17.1 15.4 47.9
2014 273 n/a n/a 53.5
2015 276 20.0 13.8 52.5
2016 284 18.0 15.7 53.2
2017 311 17.6 17.6 53.1
2018 285 17.6 16.1 52.3
2019 340 16.2 20.9 37.6
2020 334 18.2 18.3 48.5
2021 273 16.7 16.3 44.7
2022 246 15.3 16.0 28.9
2023 255 15.2 16.6 48.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

Downing Elementary School

Help
Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussisMeaslesMumpsRubellaTetanus
201697.7%0.0%0.0%0.0%97.7%97.7%100.0%97.7%100.0%100.0%
201750.0%0.0%0.0%2.0%4.0%58.0%66.0%76.0%60.0%64.0%98.0%
201874.5%0.0%0.0%0.0%4.3%87.2%91.5%87.2%80.9%83.0%100.0%
201993.2%0.0%0.0%0.0%4.6%95.5%97.7%95.5%93.2%93.2%97.7%
202090.9%1.8%0.0%0.0%7.3%92.7%92.7%92.7%92.7%92.7%98.2%98.2%98.2%92.7%
202192.7%2.4%0.0%0.0%2.4%97.6%97.6%95.1%95.1%97.6%95.1%95.1%95.1%97.6%
202297.7%0.0%0.0%2.3%0.0%97.7%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
202384.8%2.2%0.0%2.2%0.0%89.1%89.1%91.3%84.8%89.1%89.1%89.1%89.1%89.1%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health

Immunization Rates (Entire school)

Downing Elementary School

Help
Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201994.6%0.0%0.0%3.6%97.8%98.9%96.8%97.8%98.2%98.9%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Downing Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,052 (6.1%) $16,260 (93.9%) $17,312
2020 $1,712 (11.5%) $13,113 (88.4%) $14,826
2021 $2,703 (13.5%) $17,354 (86.5%) $20,058
2022 $1,814 (8.4%) $19,737 (91.6%) $21,551

Data source: Washington Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Downing Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 360th of 1130 Elementary schoolsRanks 188th of 1169 Elementary schools
 15.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Downing Elementary School)56.863.4
 6.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)51.643.7
 7.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Washington)56.348.9
 7.4%
3rd Grade Math (Downing Elementary School)56.856.1
 0.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Tacoma School District)52.543.4
 9.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Washington)5951.6
 7.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Downing Elementary School)65.970.8
 5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)55.546.3
 9.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)57.750.1
 7.6%
4th Grade Math (Downing Elementary School)46.379.2
 32.8%
   4th Grade Math (Tacoma School District)48.241
 7.2%
   4th Grade Math (Washington)54.949.4
 5.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Downing Elementary School)82.576.5
 6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)60.350.2
 10.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)61.353.8
 7.6%
5th Grade Math (Downing Elementary School)72.558.8
 13.7%
   5th Grade Math (Tacoma School District)4332.6
 10.3%
   5th Grade Math (Washington)49.142
 7.1%
5th Grade Science (Downing Elementary School)77.573.5
 4%
   5th Grade Science (Tacoma School District)48.444.3
 4.1%
   5th Grade Science (Washington)54.152.3
 1.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Downing Elementary School)68.669.7
 1.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)53.447.2
 6.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Downing Elementary School)58.562.6
 4.2%
   All Grades Math (Tacoma School District)39.430.5
 8.9%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Downing Elementary School)77.573.5
 4%
   All Grades Science (Tacoma School District)45.640
 5.6%
   All Grades Science (Washington)52.748.8
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students340255
 25%
African American2919
 34.5%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian95
 44.4%
Hispanic5828
 51.7%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White171150
 12.3%
Two or More Races6952
 24.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients37.6%48.2%
 10.6%


Schools Near Downing Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Downing Elementary School

Students at Downing Elementary School are 59% White, 20% Two or more races, 11% Hispanic, 7% African American, 2% Asian.

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

High : Dr. Dolores Silas High School

Downing Elementary School ranks 188th of 1169 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 255 students attended Downing Elementary School.


Rate Downing Elementary School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Downing Elementary School!




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. Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 33 milliseconds.