Top Rankings
University Place School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public elementary schools serving 3,412 students in University Place School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public elementary schools in Washington.
Public Elementary Schools in University Place School District have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Washington public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Washington public elementary school average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (WA)
# Schools
8 Schools
1,833 Schools
# Students
5,606 Students
740,174 Students
# Teachers
294 Teachers
44,879 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
District Rank
University Place School District, which is ranked within the top 10% of all 306 school districts in Washington (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has increased from 89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#18 out of 307 school districts
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
53%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
59%
49%
Graduation Rate
94%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.73
0.69
# American Indian Students
15 Students
9,834 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
547 Students
66,765 Students
% Asian Students
10%
9%
# Hispanic Students
938 Students
187,960 Students
% Hispanic Students
17%
26%
# Black Students
554 Students
34,994 Students
% Black Students
10%
5%
# White Students
2,524 Students
353,967 Students
% White Students
45%
48%
# Hawaiian Students
79 Students
11,000 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
2%
# Two or more races Students
936 Students
67,620 Students
% of Two or more races Students
17%
9%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
97
15,322
# Students in K Grade:
380
74,525
# Students in 1st Grade:
359
77,872
# Students in 2nd Grade:
419
81,806
# Students in 3rd Grade:
393
78,256
# Students in 4th Grade:
435
81,082
# Students in 5th Grade:
415
81,722
# Students in 6th Grade:
453
80,515
# Students in 7th Grade:
461
73,171
# Students in 8th Grade:
417
72,324
# Students in 9th Grade:
475
5,537
# Students in 10th Grade:
441
5,680
# Students in 11th Grade:
452
5,765
# Students in 12th Grade:
409
6,597
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,354 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,796. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,876 is less than the state median of $19,246. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$92 MM
$20,715 MM
Spending
$89 MM
$21,212 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,354
$18,796
Spending / Student
$15,876
$19,246
Best University Place School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
Drum Intermediate
(Math: 50% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4909 79th Avenue W
University Place, WA 98467
(253) 566-5660
University Place, WA 98467
(253) 566-5660
Grades: 5-7
| 633 students
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
