For the 2025 school year, there are 282 public schools serving 143,335 students in Pierce County, WA (there are 60 private schools, serving 11,848 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Pierce County, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Pierce County, WA are Lowell Elementary School, Mountain Meadow Elementary School and Browns Point Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pierce County, WA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Washington public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 53% statewide average). Schools in Pierce County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Washington public schools.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public school average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Pierce County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
810 Mr. Dahl Dr
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 571-7200
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 571-7200
Grades: K-5
| 333 students
Rank: #22.
Mountain Meadow Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
11812 Mundy Loss Rd
Buckley, WA 98321
(360) 829-3356
Buckley, WA 98321
(360) 829-3356
Grades: 1-5
| 402 students
Rank: #33.
Browns Point Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1526 51st St Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-7600
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-7600
Grades: K-5
| 418 students
Rank: #44.
Steilacoom High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
54 Sentinel Drive
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 983-2300
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 983-2300
Grades: 9-12
| 964 students
Rank: #55.
Tehaleh Heights Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
17520 Berkeley Parkway East
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 891-6530
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 891-6530
Grades: PK-5
| 497 students
Rank: #66.
Artondale Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6219 40th Street Nw
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-1100
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-1100
Grades: PK-5
| 391 students
Rank: #77.
Voyager Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
10615 Kopachuck Dr Nw
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-4800
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-4800
Grades: K-5
| 468 students
Rank: #88.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2615 N. Adams Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5700
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5700
Grades: PK-5
| 359 students
Rank: #99.
Sherman Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4415 N 38th St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5488
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5488
Grades: K-5
| 424 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Discovery Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4905 Rosedale St Nw
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-1200
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-1200
Grades: K-5
| 358 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
University Place Primary
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2708 W Grandview Dr
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5620
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5620
Grades: PK-4
| 520 students
Rank: #1212.
Maple Lawn Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
230 Wood Ave
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4400
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4400
Grades: PK-5
| 603 students
Rank: #1313.
Lake Tapps Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1320 178th Avenue E.
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 862-6600
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 862-6600
Grades: 1-3
| 450 students
Rank: #1414.
Science And Math Institute
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5501 N. Pearl St, Tacoma
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2300
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2300
Grades: 9-12
| 604 students
Rank: #1515.
Narrows View Intermediate
(Math: 64% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7813 44th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5630
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5630
Grades: 5-7
| 696 students
Rank: #1616.
Gig Harbor High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5101 Rosedale St Nw
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-1400
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-1400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,439 students
Rank: #1717.
Dieringer Heights Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
21727 34th Street E.
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 826-4937
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 826-4937
Grades: PK-5
| 480 students
Rank: #1818.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4302 North 13th St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-4000
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-4000
Grades: PK-5
| 323 students
Rank: #1919.
Swift Water Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10811 Harbor Hill Drive
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 530-4900
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 530-4900
Grades: K-5
| 514 students
Rank: #2020.
Purdy Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
13815 62nd Ave Nw
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 530-4600
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 530-4600
Grades: PK-5
| 509 students
Rank: #2121.
Curtis Senior High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8425 40th W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5710
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5710
Grades: 10-12
| 1,303 students
Rank: #2222.
Shaw Road Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1106 Shaw Rd
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 841-8675
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 841-8675
Grades: K-6
| 616 students
Rank: #2323.
Carbonado Historical School 19
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
427 4th St
Carbonado, WA 98323
(360) 829-0121
Carbonado, WA 98323
(360) 829-0121
Grades: PK-8
| 188 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Emerald Hills Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
19515 S Tapps Dr E
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4750
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4750
Grades: K-5
| 548 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Fruitland Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1515 Fruitland Ave
Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 841-8734
Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 841-8734
Grades: K-6
| 574 students
Rank: #2626.
Crestwood Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3914 W Tapps Dr E
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4550
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4550
Grades: PK-5
| 417 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Beachwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8890 Concord Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Grades: PK-5
| 411 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Downing Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5130 N. 26th Street
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7100
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7100
Grades: PK-5
| 283 students
Rank: #2929.
Harbor Heights Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4002 36th St Nw
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-1800
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-1800
Grades: PK-5
| 420 students
Rank: #3030.
North Tapps Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
20029 12th Street E.
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 862-2776
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 862-2776
Grades: 6-8
| 509 students
Rank: #3131.
Bonney Lake Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
18715 80th St E
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4450
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4450
Grades: PK-5
| 424 students
Rank: #3232.
Kopachuck Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10414 56th St Nw
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-4100
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 530-4100
Grades: 6-8
| 479 students
Rank: #3333.
Chambers Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9101 56th Ave W
University Place, WA 98467
(253) 566-5650
University Place, WA 98467
(253) 566-5650
Grades: K-4
| 480 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Grant Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2510 N 11th St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-5400
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-5400
Grades: K-5
| 376 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Pioneer Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8402 Skansie Ave
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 530-3500
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 530-3500
Grades: K-5
| 494 students
Show 100 more public schools in Pierce County, WA (out of 282 total schools)
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Pierce County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
10026 204th St East
Graham, WA 98338
(253) 683-6000
Graham, WA 98338
(253) 683-6000
Grades: K-6
| 45 students
516 176th St East
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 683-6092
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 683-6092
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
303 159th Street E
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 683-6923
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 683-6923
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Centro Latino High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
3319 So Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Grades: 9-10
| 14 students
Chs Drop-out Reengagement Program Elementary School (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
8425 40th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5600
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5600
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
South Divison And Liggett
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Grades: PK-5
| 340 students
Collins Alternative Programs (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
27515 120th St E
Buckley, WA 98321
(360) 829-1182
Buckley, WA 98321
(360) 829-1182
Grades: 4-12
| n/a students
Curtis Bridge Program High School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
8805 40th St W. Suite A
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5649
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5649
Grades: 9-12
| 47 students
Day Reporting School (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
5501 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-2670
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-2670
Grades: 9-12
| 9 students
1301 E. 34th Street
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 722-5883
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 722-5883
Grades: 6-8
| 160 students
Eatonville Developmenal Pre-school (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
213 Rainier Ave N
Eatonville, WA 98328
(360) 879-1812
Eatonville, WA 98328
(360) 879-1812
Grades: PK
| n/a students
1304 17th Avenue
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1400
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1400
Grades: 2-5
| 603 students
Futures Program Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
510 Chambers Street
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 583-7100
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 583-7100
Grades: 11-12
| 10 students
Gates Open Doors Program High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
813 132nd St. S.
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-4000
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-4000
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1115 E Division Ln
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-1405
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-1405
Grades: 6-8
| 341 students
714 S 27th St
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-3273
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-3273
Grades: 9-12
| 33 students
North Division And Idaho Ave
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
510 Chambers
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 588-5052
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 588-5052
Grades: K-4
| n/a students
22015 22nd Ave E
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 683-6931
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 683-6931
Grades: PK
| 19 students
1311 172nd St E
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 683-6931
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 683-6931
Grades: PK
| 19 students
4010 Woodbrook Dr Sw
Lakewood, WA 98439
(253) 589-7765
Lakewood, WA 98439
(253) 589-7765
Grades: PK-5
| 304 students
Henderson Bay Hall Program (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
14015 62nd Ave Nw
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 858-5560
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 858-5560
Grades: K-8
| 23 students
2110 110th Ave E
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 841-8735
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 841-8735
Grades: PK-6
| n/a students
Home Based (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
601 S 8th St
Tacoma, WA 98401
(253) 571-5100
Tacoma, WA 98401
(253) 571-5100
Grades: PK-12
| 242 students
I-school High School (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
12171 Pacific Ave
Puyallup, WA 98373
(253) 537-0211
Puyallup, WA 98373
(253) 537-0211
Grades: 7-12
| 42 students
2601 S 35th St Suite 100
Tacoma, WA 98409
(866) 800-0017
Tacoma, WA 98409
(866) 800-0017
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Instructional Support Team High School (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
516 E 176th Street
Spanaway, WA 98387
(206) 536-7272
Spanaway, WA 98387
(206) 536-7272
Grades: PK
| 2 students
8800 121st Sw
Lakewood, WA 98498
(253) 583-5300
Lakewood, WA 98498
(253) 583-5300
Grades: PK-5
| 223 students
Lakewood Career Academy (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
5214 Steilacoom Blvd Sw
Lakewood, WA 98499
(253) 583-5390
Lakewood, WA 98499
(253) 583-5390
Grades: 9-12
| 61 students
Learning Opportunity Center (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
5802 20th St East
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1135
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1135
Grades: 10-12
| 34 students
11509 Holden Rd Sw
Lakewood, WA 98498
(253) 583-5440
Lakewood, WA 98498
(253) 583-5440
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
1801 E 56th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-2080
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-2080
Grades: 6-8
| 392 students
3702 East Mckinley Ave
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4340
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4340
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
Metro Parks Program High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1818 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-1387
Grades: 9-11
| 12 students
Show 39 more closed public schools in Pierce County, WA (out of 74 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Pierce County, WA?
The top ranked public schools in Pierce County, WA include Lowell Elementary School, Mountain Meadow Elementary School and Browns Point Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Pierce County?
282 public schools are located in Pierce County.
What percentage of students in Pierce County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Pierce County are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pierce County?
Pierce County public schools minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public schools average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Pierce County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pierce County include: Peninsula High School vs. Gig Harbor High School, Drum Intermediate vs. Narrows View Intermediate, Narrows View Intermediate vs. Drum Intermediate
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