At a glance
Reported students
305
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
17.4
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–03
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Washington elementary enrollment
24th percentile
Compared with 1,223 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
392
Whittier Elementary School: 305 reported students.
State peer staffing position
84th percentile
17.5:1 reported; state peer median 15.7:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 344
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20.4
- Student–teacher ratio
- 16.9:1
What the reported data says about Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–03 in Tacoma. It is one of 69 current school records connected to Tacoma School District. NCES reports 305 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,223 elementary schools in Washington with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 406 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 24th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.5:1, above the Washington median of 15.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (33.8%) and multiracial (23%). English learners represent 6.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.3%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Whittier Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 17.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 17.4 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 6.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 11.3%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 55.7%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.3
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.4
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White33.8%
- Hispanic17.4%
- Black16.1%
- Asian5.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander4.3%
- Multiracial23%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Tacoma School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Larchmont Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
303 reported students
Point Defiance Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
301 reported students
Fern Hill Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
311 reported students
Downing Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
298 reported students
Bryant Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
313 reported students
Stanley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
325 reported students
Public schools near Whittier Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Primary Elementary · University Place School District | PK–04 | 516 | 1.1 mi |
| Delong Elementary School Elementary · Tacoma School District | PK–05 | 349 | 1.5 mi |
| University Place Primary Elementary · University Place School District | PK–04 | 522 | 1.8 mi |
| Geiger Montessori School Elementary · Tacoma School District | PK–05 | 521 | 2 mi |
| Franklin Elementary School Elementary · Tacoma School District | PK–05 | 260 | 2.1 mi |
| Manitou Park Elementary School Elementary · Tacoma School District | PK–05 | 429 | 2.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Whittier Elementary School
What grades does Whittier Elementary School serve?
Whittier Elementary School reports grades PK–03 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Tacoma School District.
How many students attend Whittier Elementary School?
Whittier Elementary School reported 305 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 24th percentile among 1,223 Washington elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 344 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 17.5:1, based on 305 students and 17.4 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Washington median for the same school level is 15.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Whittier Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Whittier Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Tacoma School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Whittier Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
55.7% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Whittier Elementary School in?
Whittier Elementary School is part of Tacoma School District, based in Tacoma, WA, which operates 69 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Whittier Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Evergreen Primary (1.1 mi), Delong Elementary School (1.5 mi), University Place Primary (1.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.