Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Tacoma School District

Washington · Public School District
66
Schools
27,382
Students
$23,190
Per-Pupil Spend
+62% nat'l
56.5%
Free Lunch Rate
≈ nat'l avg
87.2%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

Tacoma School District is a public school district in Washington serving 27,382 students across 66 schools. It includes 35 elementary, 12 middle, 15 high schools. Its graduation rate of 87.2% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $23,190 is above average for a US public school district. 57% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 42/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (66)
Elementary Schools35 schools
Other Schools4 schools
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$23,190+62% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
57%
30%
State
57.0%
Local (property tax)
30.2%
Federal
12.8%

State funding accounts for 57% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
66
Schools
27,382
Students
57%
Free Lunch
$23K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate87.2%
Opportunity Score42/100
Strengths & Considerations
High per-student investment
Spends $23,190 per pupil — 62% above the national average of $14,347.
Range of school options
With 66 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Tacoma School District?
Tacoma School District has 66 public schools, serving a total of 27,382 students.
What is the graduation rate for Tacoma School District?
The graduation rate is 87.2%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Tacoma School District spend per student?
Tacoma School District spends $23,190 per pupil — 62% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Tacoma School District?
57% of students in Tacoma School District qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Tacoma School District?
No, Tacoma School District does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Tacoma School District serve?
Tacoma School District serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Tacoma School District?
The median opportunity score across schools in Tacoma School District is 42/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.