For the 2025 school year, there are 50 public preschools serving 17,360 students in Tacoma, WA.
The top ranked public preschools in Tacoma, WA are Washington Elementary School, University Place Primary and Jefferson Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tacoma, WA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Washington public pre school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 49% statewide average). Pre schools in Tacoma have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Washington public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public preschool average of 54% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Tacoma, WA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #66.
Evergreen Primary
(Math: 60% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7102 40th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5680
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5680
Grades: PK-4
| 538 students
Rank: #77.
Sunset Primary
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4523 97th Ave W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5640
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5640
Grades: PK-4
| 545 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Crescent Heights Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4110 Nassau Ave Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-5500
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-5500
Grades: PK-5
| 496 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Meriwether Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10285 Compass Ave
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5200
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5200
Grades: PK-5
| 260 students
Rank: #1010.
Rainier Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2410 Stryker Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5220
Grades: PK-5
| 620 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Geiger Montessori School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7401 S 8th St
Tacoma, WA 98465
(253) 571-6800
Tacoma, WA 98465
(253) 571-6800
Grades: PK-5
| 515 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
777 Elm Tree Ln
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 571-7500
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 571-7500
Grades: PK-3
| 320 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
N.e. Tacoma Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5412 29th St Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-6933
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-6933
Grades: PK-5
| 395 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Skyline Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6301 N. 23rd St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7800
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-7800
Grades: PK-5
| 372 students
Rank: #1515.
Special Services
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
601 S. 8th Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1224
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1224
Grades: PK-12
| 11 students
Rank: #1616.
Lyon Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 E 46th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4800
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4800
Grades: PK-5
| 344 students
Rank: #1717.
Stanley Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1712 S 17th St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-4500
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-4500
Grades: PK-5
| 326 students
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Bryant Montessori School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
717 S Grant Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-2800
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-2800
Grades: PK-5
| 266 students
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Larchmont Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
8601 E B St
Tacoma, WA 98445
(253) 571-6200
Tacoma, WA 98445
(253) 571-6200
Grades: PK-5
| 296 students
Rank: #18 - 2018. - 20.
Mann Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1002 S 52nd St
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-6300
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-6300
Grades: PK-5
| 334 students
Rank: #2121.
Collins Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1920 128th Street E
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-3405
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-3405
Grades: PK-5
| 488 students
Rank: #2222.
Delong Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4901 S 14 St St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-5800
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-5800
Grades: PK-5
| 367 students
Rank: #2323.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1402 S Lawrence St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1400
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1400
Grades: PK-5
| 296 students
Rank: #2424.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
61700 Garcia Blvd
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5280
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5280
Grades: PK-5
| 545 students
Rank: #2525.
Brookdale Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
611 132nd St S.
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-3105
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 298-3105
Grades: PK-5
| 487 students
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Evergreen Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
9020 Blaine Ave
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5250
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5250
Grades: PK-5
| 437 students
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Fawcett Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
126 E. 60th Street
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4700
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4700
Grades: PK-5
| 405 students
Rank: #2828.
Sheridan Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5317 E Mckinley Ave
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-5900
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-5900
Grades: PK-5
| 480 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Edison Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5830 S Pine St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1700
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1700
Grades: PK-5
| 417 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Whitman Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1120 S 39th St
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-7272
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-7272
Grades: PK-5
| 342 students
Rank: #3131.
Lister Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2106 E 44th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-2900
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-2900
Grades: PK-5
| 401 students
Rank: #3232.
Boze Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1140 E 65th St
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4105
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 571-4105
Grades: PK-5
| 443 students
Rank: #3333.
Helen Stafford Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1615 South 92nd St
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-4300
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-4300
Grades: PK-5
| 432 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Birney Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7627 South Sheridan Ave
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-4600
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-4600
Grades: PK-5
| 489 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Fern Hill Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8442 S Park Ave
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-3888
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 571-3888
Grades: PK-5
| 287 students
Show 15 more public schools in Tacoma, WA (out of 50 total schools)
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Tacoma, Washington Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
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
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
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
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
2601 S 35th St Suite 100
Tacoma, WA 98409
(866) 800-0017
Tacoma, WA 98409
(866) 800-0017
Grades: 9-12
| n/a 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
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
New Pathways Storefront School (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11110 Pacific Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 537-0211
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 537-0211
Grades: 7-12
| 129 students
Northwest School Of Innovative Learning (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1321 Martin Luter King Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 945-2000
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 945-2000
Grades: 9
| 1 students
Oakland Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
3319 S Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Grades: 9-12
| 290 students
Oakland Altr. High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
3319 S Adams
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Grades: 9-12
| 156 students
Park Avenue Center (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
6701 South Park Ave
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-2600
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 571-2600
Grades: K-12
| 32 students
1818 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-3273
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-3273
Grades: 9-12
| 196 students
Region V Learning Ce (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
1818 Tacoma Ave So
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-2191
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 571-2191
Grades: 9-11
| 36 students
4415 N 38th St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2255
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-2255
Grades: PK-5
| 335 students
Soar Academy Public Charter School (Closed 2020)
Charter School
1301 E 34th Street
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 444-6759
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 444-6759
Grades: K-8
| 220 students
Soar Ale School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2136 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
(509) 258-4534
Tacoma, WA 98405
(509) 258-4534
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
Summit Olympus Ale School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
409 Puyallup Ave
Tacoma, WA 98421
(509) 258-4534
Tacoma, WA 98421
(509) 258-4534
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Tacoma Online (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
6501 N.23rd St.
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 948-6398
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 948-6398
Grades: K-12
| 1,655 students
Trans Prog @ Oakland High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
3319 So Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-2645
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-2645
Grades: 9-12
| 23 students
University Place Special Education (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
3717 Grandview Drive W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5600
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5600
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Urban League Tlc High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
3319 So Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 571-1387
Grades: 9-12
| 10 students
Washington Virtual Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2601 S. 35th St., Ste. 100
Tacoma, WA 98407
(866) 548-9444
Tacoma, WA 98407
(866) 548-9444
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Wava High School (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
2601 S 35th Street Suite 100
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 964-1068
Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 964-1068
Grades: 9-12
| 335 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Tacoma, WA?
The top ranked public preschools in Tacoma, WA include Washington Elementary School, University Place Primary and Jefferson Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Tacoma?
50 public preschools are located in Tacoma.
What is the racial composition of students in Tacoma?
Tacoma public preschools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public preschools average of 54% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Tacoma are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Tacoma include: Geiger Montessori School vs. Bryant Montessori School, Edison Elementary School vs. Arlington Elementary School, Whitman Elementary School vs. Mann Elementary School
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