For the 2026 school year, there are 273 public schools serving 143,335 students in Pierce County, WA (there are 59 private schools, serving 10,177 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Pierce County, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pierce County, WA are Mountain Meadow Elementary School, Lowell Elementary School and Tehaleh Heights 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 39% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 53% statewide average). Schools in Pierce County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Washington public schools.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Pierce County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mountain Meadow Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
11812 Mundy Loss Rd
Buckley, WA 98321
(360) 829-3356
Buckley, WA 98321
(360) 829-3356
Gr: 1-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #33.
Tehaleh Heights Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
17520 Berkeley Parkway East
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 891-6530
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
(253) 891-6530
Gr: PK-5 | 627 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #44.
Steilacoom High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
54 Sentinel Drive
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 983-2300
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 983-2300
Gr: 9-12 | 968 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #55.
Browns Point Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1526 51st St Ne
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-7600
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 571-7600
Gr: K-5 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #66.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Narrows View Intermediate
(Math: 70% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7813 44th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5630
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5630
Gr: 5-7 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4302 North 13th St
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-4000
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 571-4000
Gr: PK-5 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
University Place Primary
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2708 W Grandview Dr
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5620
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5620
Gr: PK-4 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1010.
Artondale Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1111.
Voyager Elementary School
(Math: 67% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
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
Gr: K-5 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Maple Lawn Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
230 Wood Ave
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4400
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4400
Gr: PK-5 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1414.
Beachwood Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8890 Concord Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Tacoma, WA 98433
(253) 583-5260
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1515.
Dieringer Heights Elementary School
(Math: 67% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1616.
Sherman Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4415 N 38th St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5488
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 571-5488
Gr: K-5 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1717.
Lake Tapps Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | 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
Gr: 1-3 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1818.
Carbonado Historical School 19
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 O'ferrell Drive
Carbonado, WA 98323
(360) 829-0121
Carbonado, WA 98323
(360) 829-0121
Gr: K-8 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1919.
Swift Water Elementary School
(Math: 69% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2020.
Purdy Elementary School
(Math: 66% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2121.
Harbor Heights Elementary School
(Math: 68% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2222.
Emerald Hills Elementary School
(Math: 66% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2323.
Bonney Lake Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
18715 80th St E
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4450
Sumner, WA 98390
(253) 891-4450
Gr: PK-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2424.
Fruitland Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1515 Fruitland Ave
Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 841-8734
Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 841-8734
Gr: K-6 | 566 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2525.
Pioneer Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #26 - 2826. - 28.
Crestwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #26 - 2826. - 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
Gr: PK-5 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #26 - 2826. - 28.
Shaw Road Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1106 Shaw Rd
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 841-8675
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 841-8675
Gr: K-6 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2929.
Drum Intermediate
(Math: 57% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4909 79th Avenue W
University Place, WA 98467
(253) 566-5660
University Place, WA 98467
(253) 566-5660
Gr: 5-7 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #3030.
Kopachuck Middle School
(Math: 60% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #3131.
Evergreen Primary
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7102 40th St W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5680
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5680
Gr: PK-4 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #3232.
North Tapps Middle School
(Math: 58% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3333.
Curtis Senior High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8425 40th W
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5710
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 566-5710
Gr: 10-12 | 1,321 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #3434.
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
Gr: K-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #35 - 3835. - 38.
Chambers Elementary School
(Math: 62% | 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
Gr: K-4 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Pierce County, WA?
The top-ranked public schools in Pierce County, WA include Mountain Meadow Elementary School, Lowell Elementary School and Tehaleh Heights 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?
93% of all K-12 students in Pierce County are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
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 53% (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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