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Pierce County

Washington · Public K-12

Of the 287 public K-12 schools in Pierce County, the largest district by enrollment is Tacoma School District (28,900 students). Total county enrollment runs around 138,462. By grade band, the county runs 163 elementary, 48 middle, and 61 high schools.

7-year change in Pierce County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
138,371
+1,684 (+1%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
266
+9 (+4%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
44%
was 53%
% Hispanic
22%
was 19%
% Black
8%
was 8%
% Asian
6%
was 6%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
930,319
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
287
23 districts
Enrollment
138,462
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$99,564
Above Washington avg
Free/reduced lunch
50.0%
Below Washington avg
Elementary
163
66,389 students
Middle
48
29,265 students
High
61
41,222 students
Combined / other
15
1,586 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Tacoma School District
28,900 students · 23 districts in Pierce County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Pierce County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
64%
Hispanic
13%
Black
7%
Asian
7%
Two or more
15%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
2%
School enrollment
White
44%
Hispanic
22%
Black
8%
Asian
6%
Two or more
14%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
4%
Bachelor's+
30.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.2%
civilian labor
Median age
37
23.0% under 18

Test scores in Pierce County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 217 schools ranked. Washington state average: 58.4%.

See all 217 schools in Pierce County ranked by score →

All schools (287)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Pioneer Valley ElementarySpanawayElementaryKG-05524·
North Tapps Middle SchoolLake TappsMiddle06-08523·
University Place PrimaryUniversity PlaElementaryPK-04522·
Geiger Montessori SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05521·
Goodman Middle SchoolGig HarborMiddle06-08519·
Hunt Middle SchoolTacomaMiddle06-08519·
Naches Trail ElementaryTacomaElementaryPK-05519·
Swift Water ElementaryGig HarborElementaryKG-05519·
Evergreen PrimaryUniversity PlaceElementaryPK-04516·
Kopachuck Middle SchoolGig HarborMiddle06-08516·
Liberty Ridge ElementarySumnerElementaryPK-05515·
Victor Falls ElementaryBonney LakeElementaryPK-05513·
Lakeland Hills ElementaryAuburnElementaryPK-05512·
Gray Middle SchoolTacomaMiddle06-08510·
Discovery Primary SchoolMiltonElementaryPK-02506·
Edward Zeiger ElemPuyallupElementaryPK-06500·
Lochburn Middle SchoolLakewoodMiddle06-08497·
Nelson Elementary SchoolGrahamElementaryPK-05497·
Tacoma Online High SchoolTacomaHigh09-12497·
Chambers ElementaryUniversity PlaElementaryKG-04493·
Boze Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05485·
Brookdale ElementaryTacomaElementaryKG-05483·
Purdy Elementary SchoolGig HarborElementaryPK-05483·
Bethel Virtual AcademySpanawayCombinedKG-12482·
Pioneer Elementary SchoolGig HarborElementaryKG-05481·
Birney Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05476·
Chloe Clark ElementaryDupontElementaryPK-03475·
Foothills ElementaryBuckleyElementary01-05470·
Hedden Elementary SchoolEdgewoodElementary03-05469·
Collins ElementaryTacomaElementaryKG-05466·
Lake Tapps ElementaryLake TappsElementary01-03460·
Ridgecrest ElementaryPuyallupElementaryKG-06456·
Helen Stafford Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05453·
Crescent Heights Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryKG-05451·
Acceleration AcademySpanawayHigh09-12450·
Lake Louise Elementary SchoolLakewoodElementaryPK-05450·
Angelo Giaudrone Middle SchoolTacomaMiddle06-08449·
Hilltop Heritage Middle SchoolTacomaMiddle06-08447·
North Star ElementaryGrahamElementaryKG-05446·
Browns Point Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryKG-05445·
Harvard ElementaryTacomaElementaryKG-05445·
Key Peninsula Middle SchoolLakebayMiddle06-08444·
Mountain Meadow ElementaryBuckleyElementary01-05443·
Voyager ElementaryGig HarborElementaryKG-05443·
Blix Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05442·
Evergreen Elementary SchoolJblm Lewis MainElementaryPK-05442·
Dieringer Heights ElementaryLake TappsElementaryKG-05441·
Truman Middle SchoolTacomaMiddle06-08438·
Saltars Point ElementarySteilacoomElementary04-05437·
Bonney Lake ElementaryBonney LakeElementaryPK-05435·
Sherman Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryKG-05432·
Rocky Ridge ElementaryGrahamElementaryKG-05430·
Manitou Park Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05429·
Graham ElementaryGrahamElementaryKG-05428·
Fawcett Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05426·
Reed Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05426·
Eatonville Middle SchoolEatonvilleMiddle06-08425·
Carter Lake Elementary SchoolJblm Mcchord FieldElementaryPK-05420·
McKenna ElementaryMckennaElementaryPK-05418·
N.E. Tacoma Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05418·
Artondale Elementary SchoolGig HarborElementaryPK-05413·
Edison Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05413·
Eatonville Elementary SchoolEatonvilleElementaryKG-05406·
Karshner ElementaryPuyallupElementaryPK-06405·
Midland ElementaryTacomaElementaryKG-05399·
Beachwood Elementary SchoolJblm Lewis NorthElementaryPK-05397·
Harbor Heights Elementary SchoolGig HarborElementaryPK-05397·
Crestwood ElementaryBonney LakeElementaryPK-05393·
Industrial Design Engineering and ArtsTacomaHigh09-12392·
Tacoma Open DoorsTacomaHigh09-12392·
Arlington Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05390·
James Sales ElementaryTacomaElementaryKG-05387·
Washington Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05383·
Lyon Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05381·
Tyee Park Elementary SchoolLakewoodElementaryPK-05381·
Discovery Elementary SchoolGig HarborElementaryKG-05380·
Idlewild Elementary SchoolLakewoodElementaryPK-05380·
Grant Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryKG-05378·
Lister Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05376·
Maplewood ElementaryPuyallupElementaryPK-06371·
Spanaway ElementarySpanawayElementaryKG-05371·
Wainwright Intermediate SchoolTacomaMiddle04-08368·
Meeker ElementaryPuyallupElementaryKG-06366·
Whitman Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05365·
Wildwood ElementaryPuyallupElementaryPK-06364·
Park Lodge Elementary SchoolLakewoodElementaryPK-05363·
White River Early Learning CenterBuckleyElementaryPK-KG360·
Custer Elementary SchoolLakewoodElementaryPK-05358·
Jefferson Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05358·
Central Avenue ElementaryTacomaElementaryKG-05355·
Pierce County Skills CenterPuyallupHigh08-12355·
Delong Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05349·
Cherrydale ElementarySteilacoomElementaryPK-03348·
Christensen ElementaryTacomaElementaryKG-05346·
Weyerhaeuser ElementaryEatonvilleElementaryKG-05344·
Bates Technical High SchoolTacomaHigh09-12343·
Stewart ElementaryPuyallupElementaryPK-06343·
Mann Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05340·
Dower Elementary SchoolLakewoodElementaryPK-05337·
Edna Travis Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05337·

Cities in Pierce County

Tacoma96 schoolsPuyallup36 schoolsLakewood27 schoolsGig Harbor15 schoolsSpanaway15 schoolsBonney Lake9 schoolsBuckley9 schoolsGraham9 schoolsEatonville8 schoolsOrting7 schoolsSteilacoom7 schoolsSumner5 schoolsTacoma5 schoolsEdgewood4 schoolsUniversity Pla4 schoolsUniversity Place4 schoolsJblm Lewis Main3 schoolsLake Tapps3 schoolsDupont2 schoolsJblm Lewis North2 schoolsLakebay2 schoolsMilton2 schoolsPuyallup2 schoolsAnderson Island1 schoolAshford1 schoolAuburn1 schoolCarbonado1 schoolJblm Mcchord Field1 schoolMckenna1 schoolRoy1 schoolSpanaway1 schoolSumner1 schoolVaughn1 schoolWilkeson1 school

About Pierce County

Pierce County is a population-heavy county of about 930,319 residents in Washington. Its public-school system educates approximately 138,462 students across 287 schools.

Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $99,564, roughly 31% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 26% meaningfully above the Washington median.

In terms of grade levels, Pierce County comprises 163 elementary schools (66,389 students), 48 middle schools (29,265), 61 high schools (41,222), and 15 combined or other schools.

Tacoma School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 28,900 students across Pierce County.

Over the past 7-year window. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment stayed largely flat: 136,687 students in SY 2017-18 versus 138,371 in SY 2024-25. Pierce County now counts 266 public schools, up from 257 in SY 2017-18. The White share of public-school enrollment declined from 53% to 44%.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Pierce County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Pierce County?
Pierce County, Washington has 287 public K-12 schools serving approximately 138,462 students.
How many high schools are in Pierce County?
Pierce County, Washington has 61 public high schools, serving approximately 41,222 students.
How many middle schools are in Pierce County?
Pierce County, Washington has 48 public middle schools, serving approximately 29,265 students.
How many elementary schools are in Pierce County?
Pierce County, Washington has 163 public elementary schools, serving approximately 66,389 students.
What is the largest school district in Pierce County?
Tacoma School District is the largest school district in Pierce County, serving approximately 28,900 students. The county contains 23 school districts overall.
What is the population of Pierce County?
Pierce County, Washington has a population of approximately 930,319, with a median age of 37. About 23.0% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Pierce County?
Median household income in Pierce County is $99,564, above the Washington average of $79,106. About 5.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Pierce County?
Approximately 30.9% of adults 25 and older in Pierce County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Pierce County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 50.0% of students in Pierce County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the Washington county average of 53.8%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pierce County schools?
Across Pierce County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 19.2 to 1.

Pierce County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data