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Point Defiance Elementary School

Q: Is Point Defiance Elementary School a good school?

Point Defiance Elementary School ranks 227 th of 1160 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

227^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,160 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 80% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Point Defiance Elementary School is a public K-5 school serving 301 students in Tacoma, Washington, and stands out as a consistently high-performing school within the broader Tacoma School District.

The school earns strong 4-star ratings, ranking in the top 20% of all Washington elementary schools, with test scores significantly above both district and state averages in English, math, and science. What makes this performance notable is that the school achieves these results while serving a student population with a higher percentage of economic need than some other high-ranking local schools like Washington Elementary and Sherman Elementary. It also outperforms schools with similar poverty levels, such as Skyline Elementary and Downing Elementary, demonstrating effective support for all students.

Point Defiance Elementary has shown resilience, improving its statewide ranking since the pandemic and maintaining stable performance across grade levels. The school operates efficiently, with per-student spending lower than some neighboring schools like Jefferson Elementary, while delivering strong academic outcomes. This consistent excellence makes it a standout choice for families within the district.

301

Students ?

16.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,644

Per pupil spending ?

33.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4330 N Visscher St
Tacoma, WA 98407

(253) 571-6900

District: Tacoma School District

Students who attend Point Defiance Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Truman Middle School
High:	Dr. Dolores Silas High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.5%

Hispanic:

13.0%

Two or more races:

10.3%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Point Defiance Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 71st percentile in 2015 → 80th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Washington average (64% vs 48% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 20% of Washington elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 9 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school64%

District avg40%

Washington avg48%

227^th of 1,160

Washington public elementary schools ?

Top 20%▲ up 10 pts since 2015

From top 29% (2015) to top 20% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

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

157^th of 247Tacoma 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
2025	78.5	227 of 1160	80.4%	★★★★☆
2024	78.3	237 of 1168	79.7%	★★★★☆
2023	69.1	335 of 1169	71.3%	★★★★☆
2022	68.9	337 of 1169	71.2%	★★★★☆
2021	61.3	400 of 1107	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	77.5	233 of 1130	79.4%	★★★★☆
2018	79.2	204 of 1054	80.6%	★★★★☆
2017	72.3	283 of 1056	73.2%	★★★★☆
2016	68.9	319 of 1053	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2015	67.8	313 of 1067	70.7%	★★★★☆
2013	69.3	314 of 1106	71.6%	★★★★☆
2012	69.4	313 of 1097	71.5%	★★★★☆
2011	42.7	650 of 1092	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	54.8	484 of 1088	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	49.6	568 of 1072	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2008	48.2	588 of 1067	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	45.3	617 of 1069	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	46.9	588 of 1051	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2005	48.2	555 of 1031	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2004	51.8	506 of 1026	50.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	76.7	225 of 1092	79.4%	★★★★☆
2024	72.9	264 of 1093	75.8%	★★★★☆
2023	69.9	294 of 1094	73.1%	★★★★☆
2022	60.5	401 of 1100	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.3	329 of 1008	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	73.5	272 of 1068	74.5%	★★★★☆
2018	68.1	314 of 1004	68.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	65.2	291 of 1013	71.3%	★★★★☆
2024	72.5	208 of 1024	79.7%	★★★★☆
2023	64.9	299 of 1013	70.5%	★★★★☆
2022	80.6	91 of 1019	91.1%	★★★★★
2019	81.0	84 of 979	91.4%	★★★★★
2018	81.6	75 of 835	91.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	79.2	200 of 1098	81.8%	★★★★☆
2024	78.5	214 of 1099	80.5%	★★★★☆
2023	64.0	362 of 1099	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	72.4	284 of 1113	74.5%	★★★★☆
2021	51.3	447 of 1025	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	78.5	211 of 1075	80.4%	★★★★☆
2018	85.7	118 of 999	88.2%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2019	65.5	92 of 303	69.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	74.2	237 of 1007	76.5%	★★★★☆
2024	74.2	247 of 1009	75.5%	★★★★☆
2023	62.0	377 of 1011	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	71.8	283 of 1031	72.6%	★★★★☆
2021	50.0	458 of 943	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.1	306 of 1027	70.2%	★★★★☆
2018	69.9	251 of 833	69.9%	★★★★☆

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)

Male (2025)82nd percentile~ school

Female (2025)79th percentile~ school

White (2025)76th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)71st percentile-9 vs school

Multi-racial (2019)70th percentile-10 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts66%+13 vs state

Science64%+15 vs state

Math62%+20 vs state

★

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Schools Near Point Defiance Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				WCAS Science (2025)		SBAC English Language Arts (2025)				SBAC Math (2025)				% 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	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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 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
Point Defiance Elementary School	Public	K-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%)	78.5	227^th of 1160 public elementary schools	80.4%		78.3	237^th of 1168 public elementary schools	79.7%	10	64.2	64.2	64.2	65.2	69.2	66.2	66.0	60.9	59.6	62.3	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
Sherman Elementary School	Public	K-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%)	84.2	175^th of 1160 public elementary schools	84.9%		87.1	140^th of 1168 public elementary schools	88.0%	35	77.6	77.6	77.6	66.2	75.0	73.0	71.1	55.4	61.8	62.8	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
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%)	45.9	603^rd of 1160 public elementary schools	48.0%		50.8	552^nd of 1168 public elementary schools	52.7%	51	51.0	51.0	40.8	47.6	56.9	48.6	44.0	46.5	45.1	45.1	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
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%)	68.6	325^th of 1160 public elementary schools	72.0%		83	192^nd of 1168 public elementary schools	83.6%	133	68.2	68.2	56.1	52.8	75.0	62.0	56.1	47.2	59.1	54.6	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
Tacoma Online Elementary School	Public, Virtual	K-5	6501 N.23rd St.	Tacoma	98406	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)			66.7			41.7	66.7			38.5	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%)	85.3	165^th of 1160 public elementary schools	85.8%		90	112^th of 1168 public elementary schools	90.4%	53	75.9	75.9	71.2	76.2	74.1	73.7	61.5	81.0	53.7	64.2	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
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%)	84	178^th of 1160 public elementary schools	84.7%		86.2	152^nd of 1168 public elementary schools	87.0%	26	80.3	80.3	74.1	66.0	83.6	75.0	74.1	50.9	60.0	61.7	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
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%)	65.2	376^th of 1160 public elementary schools	67.6%		64.6	392^nd of 1168 public elementary schools	66.4%	16	61.8	61.8	45.7	70.3	65.7	59.9	44.4	66.2	48.5	52.9	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
Lowell Elementary School	Public	K-5	810 Mr. Dahl DR	Tacoma	98403	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-7200	331	17	19.0	30.2%	203 (61.3%)	6 (1.8%)	45 (13.6%)	14 (4.2%)	4 (1.2%)	1 (0.3%)	58 (17.5%)	85.5	159^th of 1160 public elementary schools	86.3%		88.9	124^th of 1168 public elementary schools	89.4%	35	76.4	76.4	68.2	70.9	78.2	72.7	61.4	78.2	58.2	66.2	88.2	92.2	92.2	92.2	92.2	90.2	90.2	92.2	90.2	90.2	$20,151	$639	$19,512
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%)	47	592^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	49.0%		48.9	576^th of 1168 public elementary schools	50.7%	16	46.6	46.6	45.3	57.7	52.6	51.5	40.0	61.5	32.1	43.9	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

Frequently Asked Questions about Point Defiance Elementary School

How many students attend Point Defiance Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 301 students attended Point Defiance Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Point Defiance Elementary School?

Students at Point Defiance Elementary School are 63% White, 13% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 5% Asian, 4% African American, 2% Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian.

Is Point Defiance Elementary School a good school?

Point Defiance Elementary School ranks 227^th of 1160 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Point Defiance Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Point Defiance Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Truman Middle School
High : Dr. Dolores Silas High School

What district is Point Defiance Elementary School in?

Tacoma School District

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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.