Summary:
Zip code 98403 has three public schools serving grades PK–12 in Tacoma: Lowell Elementary School, Hilltop Heritage Middle School, and Stadium High School, with 2,478 students combined. All belong to Tacoma School District, which is ranked 151st of 238 Washington districts in the supplied data. The area offers a strong elementary option, a comparatively successful high school, and a middle school that needs significant improvement.
Lowell Elementary School is the strongest academic performer. Its 2025–2026 proficiency rates were 59.49% in English language arts, 63.06% in math, and 80.36% in science, all above district and state averages. It ranked in the 79th percentile statewide, although its ranking and English results have declined from earlier years. Stadium High School also compares favorably with the district, posting above-district results in every tested subject. Its 96.8% graduation rate and 1.8% dropout rate are especially notable, substantially better than both district and state figures. However, its math proficiency, at 38.36%, remains below the state average.
Hilltop Heritage Middle School is the primary concern for families comparing local schools. Its proficiency rates were 32.82% in English language arts, 20.37% in math, and 28.13% in science, below both district and state averages. Its statewide ranking fell to the 16th percentile, and science declined by 18.02 percentage points year over year. Eighth-grade math was particularly weak at 10.24%. Hilltop has the highest free- or reduced-price lunch rate and highest per-student spending among the three schools, but the available data cannot explain the performance differences. Parents may want to ask about plans for eighth-grade math, science instruction, academic support, and the transition from elementary to middle school.
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