The bulletin board for America's public schools. Parents, teachers, students, and staff. One community per school.

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
Evergreen ElementaryLakebayElementaryPK-05336·
Elmhurst Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryKG-05335·
Lowell Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryKG-05331·
Skyline Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05329·
Vaughn Elementary SchoolVaughnElementaryPK-05326·
Stanley Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05325·
Kapowsin ElementaryGrahamElementaryKG-05321·
Challenger High SchoolSpanawayHigh07-12318·
Bryant Montessori SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05313·
Fern Hill Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05311·
Waller Road ElementaryTacomaElementaryKG-06306·
Whittier Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-03305·
Larchmont Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05303·
Point Defiance Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryKG-05301·
Spinning ElementaryPuyallupElementaryKG-06299·
Downing Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05298·
Oakbrook Elementary SchoolLakewoodElementaryPK-05285·
Roy ElementaryRoyElementaryPK-05285·
Mt View ElementaryEdgewoodElementaryKG-06279·
CPSD Open Doors ProgramLakewoodHigh09-12276·
Minter Creek ElementaryGig HarborElementaryKG-05272·
Tillicum Elementary SchoolLakewoodElementaryPK-05272·
Roosevelt Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05270·
Hewins Early Learning CenterTacomaElementaryPK-PK266·
Franklin Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryPK-05260·
Wilkeson Elementary SchoolWilkesonElementaryKG-05253·
Meriwether Elementary SchoolJblm Lewis NorthElementaryPK-05240·
Impact Public SchoolsTacomaElementaryPK-05232·
Thompson PreschoolTacomaElementaryPK-KG227·
Clover Park Early Learning ProgramLakewoodElementaryPK-PK213·
Columbia Crest A-STEM AcademyAshfordElementaryKG-08209·
Puyallup Online Academy/POAPuyallupCombinedKG-12199·
Carbonado Historical School 19CarbonadoElementaryKG-08176·
Tacoma Online Middle SchoolTacomaMiddle06-08170·
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTERSpanawayElementaryPK-KG163·
Gravelly Lake K-12 AcademyLakewoodCombinedKG-12162·
Tacoma Online Elementary SchoolTacomaElementaryKG-05144·
Henderson Bay Alt High SchoolGig HarborHigh09-12139·
Bryant Montessori Middle SchoolTacomaMiddle06-08135·
Puyallup Open Doors/PODPuyallupHigh09-12124·
E B Walker High SchoolPuyallupHigh08-12120·
Oakland High SchoolTacomaHigh09-12112·
Summit Public School: OlympusTacomaHigh09-12110·
GATES Secondary SchoolTacomaHigh10-12104·
Puyallup Parent Partnership ProgramPuyallupElementaryKG-0896·
Comm Based Trans ProgramTacomaHigh12-1271·
Transition 18-21 ProgramSpanawayHigh12-1258·
PSD Special ServicesPuyallupCombinedPK-1252·
FirwoodSteilacoomCombined04-1245·
White River Reengagement ProgramBuckleyHigh09-1240·
Developmental PreschoolSteilacoomElementaryPK-PK38·
Sumner Special ServicesSumnerElementaryPK-PK35·
ESD New BeginningsEatonvilleHigh09-1231·
Willard Early Learning CenterTacomaElementaryPK-PK30·
Alfaretta HouseLakewoodHigh11-1226·
Fife Open DoorsTacomaHigh10-1225·
Madison HeadstartTacomaElementaryPK-PK23·
Remann Hall Juvenile Detention CenterTacomaHigh06-1221·
The School at Pearl Youth ResidenceTacomaHigh06-1221·
Anderson Island ElementaryAnderson IslandElementaryPK-0319·
Oak GroveLakewoodElementaryKG-0611·
Special ServicesTacomaCombinedPK-129·
Insight School of WA Open Doors ProgramTacomaHigh09-128·
Transition Day StudentsLakewoodHigh05-128·
Eatonville Online AcademyEatonvilleMiddle06-107·
White River Special Ed ServicesBuckleyElementaryPK-KG6·
Re-Entry High SchoolLakewoodHigh09-125·
Special Education Services/relifeLakewoodCombinedPK-124·
Oakridge Group HomeLakewoodHigh09-123·
Alternative Spcl Needs Div OccTacomaHigh09-120·
Bates Technical College - Open DoorsTacomaHigh09-120·
Bethel Elementary Learning AcademyPuyallupElementaryKG-050·
Birth to ThreeSteilacoomElementaryPK-PK0·
Hoyt Early Learning CenterTacomaElementaryPK-PK0·
Learning SupportTacomaElementaryPK-PK0·
Northwest Career and Technical High SchoolLakewoodHigh09-120·
Orting Special EducationOrtingElementaryPK-PK0·
Re-Entry Middle SchoolLakewoodMiddle06-080·
Tacoma Pierce County Education CenterTacomaHigh09-120·
White River HomeschoolBuckleyCombinedKG-120·
Eatonville Developmenal Pre-SchoolEatonvilleCombinedM-M··
Maritime 253 Skills CenterTacomaHigh11-12··
Mt. Rainier Parent PartnershipEatonvilleCombinedM-M··
Orting Elementary Online AcademyOrtingCombinedM-M··
Orting Secondary Online AcademyOrtingCombinedM-M··
Peninsula Alternative ProgramsGig HarborCombinedM-M··
Steilacoom PRIDE AcademySteilacoomCombinedM-M··

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