Tacoma School District

Tacoma School District serves 29,014 students across 69 schools in Pierce County's urban center, making it a substantial mid-sized urban system. The district maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1 with 1,634 teachers on staff.

Academically, Tacoma's proficiency rates fall below state benchmarks. Math proficiency stands at 40.7% compared to the state average of 45.6%, while reading proficiency matches at 40.7% against the state's 44.0%. However, the district's graduation rate of 91.4% exceeds Washington's state average of 86.2%, indicating stronger outcomes in completing secondary education.

Chronic absenteeism presents a notable challenge at 32.4%, suggesting attendance patterns may impact instructional continuity. The district serves a economically and linguistically diverse student body: 58.7% of students qualify as economically disadvantaged, 13.5% are English learners, and 17.2% receive special education services. Racial composition reflects the urban area's demographics, with 33.5% White, 23.6% Hispanic, 12.3% Black, and 8.4% Asian students.

This profile indicates a district managing complex student needs within an urban context. While standardized proficiency measures lag state averages, the graduation rate suggests the district successfully moves students toward completion. The high percentage of economically disadvantaged students and elevated chronic absenteeism likely influence overall academic metrics and represent ongoing operational considerations.