The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 25% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Reed Elementary School
Reed Elementary School is a regular public school in Tacoma, Washington, serving students from preschool through fifth grade. It is part of the Tacoma School District, a large urban district operating schools across the city’s many neighborhoods. Reed occupies a specific place within that district: a neighborhood elementary school with a student body that is ethnically diverse and draws from a community with a high rate of economic need.
The school’s enrollment is relatively small for its grade band, and its student composition is notably varied. No single racial or ethnic group makes up a majority. Black students, Hispanic students, white students, and students who identify as two or more races each represent a meaningful share of the population, with smaller groups of Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students also present. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a figure that places the school in a high-need category.
State assessment data from the 2024-25 school year provides the most recent picture of academic performance. In math, the share of students meeting proficiency standards declined across the elementary grades, from third to fourth to fifth. English language arts scores followed a similar pattern, with the fifth grade showing the lowest proficiency rate in that subject. Science, which is tested only in fifth grade, showed a slightly higher proficiency rate than math or ELA at that same grade level. Taken together, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile relative to all school districts in Pierce County. This is a soft spot that a parent may want to look into further with the school. There is only a single year of trend data available, so no direction of change can be assessed.
Because Reed is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report. Information on chronic absenteeism, discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance was not available in the data provided. The school’s Title I status, IEP and English learner counts, and magnet designation were also absent from the available fields. Parents seeking information on these topics would need to consult the school or district directly.
Tacoma itself is a mid-sized port city and the county seat of Pierce County. It has a working waterfront, a downtown cultural district with museums and theaters, and distinct residential neighborhoods such as Hilltop, Proctor, and the Stadium District. Healthcare and social assistance is the largest employing industry, followed by retail trade and educational services. The Port of Tacoma is a major center for international trade. The city is growing steadily, with a rising population and an increase in proposed housing units following a recent housing initiative. Homeownership rates are below the national average. Walkability varies sharply by neighborhood; some areas like downtown and Proctor are pedestrian-friendly, but the city as a whole is car-dependent.
The housing market in the area that Reed serves shows that the typical home value has declined slightly over the past year, while rents have risen at a faster pace. Compared to the national benchmark, home values in the area are moderately higher, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment exceeds the typical rent, making renting the more affordable option for the moment. The state-level home values are somewhat above the national figure.
Publicly reported information about Tacoma Public Schools indicates the district is undertaking planning and regulatory work, but specific district-level changes such as boundary adjustments or school closures were not surfaced in the available research.
Reed Elementary is a school where the student body reflects the diversity and economic realities of its Tacoma neighborhood. The academic data suggests that, as a whole, students are meeting proficiency standards at a rate that is lower than many other schools in Pierce County. For a family considering this school, the conversation would likely center on how the school supports its students academically given the level of need, and what programs or interventions are in place to lift performance. The broader context of Tacoma offers an urban setting with a mix of cultural amenities and ongoing development, but the school itself faces clear academic challenges that a parent would want to understand.
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