The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in Science. The lowest is 11% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Edna Travis Elementary School
Edna Travis Elementary School serves students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Tacoma School District, located in a central Tacoma neighborhood. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The school enrolls a substantial number of students and draws from a community where a large majority of families qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a context that shapes the resources and challenges the school works with.
The student body is diverse. The largest group of students identifies with two or more races, followed by students who are Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native. This mix gives the school a multiracial character that is distinct from many other elementary schools in the district.
On state assessments, Edna Travis shows low proficiency rates in reading, math, and science. In English language arts, the share of students meeting the state standard was below the statewide average in each tested grade, and the combined schoolwide rate placed the school in the bottom quartile among Pierce County elementary schools. Math proficiency was also low, and science results for fifth graders, while higher than the school’s own reading and math scores, still fell well short of the district and state benchmarks. These numbers suggest that a large portion of the student body is working below grade level in core academic areas. A parent considering this school should look into what specific academic supports, interventions, and tutoring are available to address these gaps.
The school is part of the Tacoma School District, the largest in Pierce County, and sits in a city with a mix of working waterfront, industrial employment, hospitals, and universities. Tacoma is a mid-sized port city with several walkable neighborhood districts, a downtown museum complex, and a growing number of housing development projects. Housing values in the area are below the state median but have been rising, and rents are climbing. The typical home in the school’s ZIP code costs less than the state average, and monthly mortgage costs exceed what a typical renter in the area pays, highlighting a tight market for families looking to buy.
The district itself has been through changes in recent years. Publicly reported information indicates that Tacoma Public Schools has engaged in boundary adjustments and school closure discussions, driven by declining enrollment and budget constraints. For a family new to the area, it would be worth checking with the district to see if Edna Travis’s attendance zone has been affected by any recent shifts or if further changes are planned.
The school offers a pre-kindergarten program, which is a significant resource for families with young children. Beyond that, the data does not include information on specialized programs, gifted offerings, or after-school enrichment. A parent seeking arts, science, or language immersion programs would need to contact the school directly to learn what is available.
Edna Travis Elementary sits in a neighborhood with a strong sense of community, but the academic data points to a school where many students need extra help. For a family that values a diverse, central-Tacoma location and is prepared to engage closely with the school around academic support, it may be a viable option. For families focused on strong test performance or a wide array of program options, the school’s current proficiency levels and the absence of publicized enrichment offerings are real considerations worth investigating further with the school or district.
See more original research from School Decision →