Downing Elementary School

Located at 5130 N. 26th Street, in Tacoma, Washington, Downing Elementary School is a close-knit elementary campus that teaches 298 students (grades pre-K through 5), run under Tacoma School District. That puts it 22% leaner than the typical public school in Washington, which averages around 380 students.

Tacoma School District runs 66 schools in total, collectively educating 28,900 students. Downing Elementary School is one of those campuses.

On the student-mix side, Downing Elementary School shows that White students make up the majority at 58%. Other groups include 20% multiracial, 11% Hispanic, 7% Black.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Downing Elementary School records 17 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 18.1:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 17.3:1, putting Downing Elementary School higher than the state norm the norm. Around 53% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, Downing Elementary School is in the OUTPERFORMING tier of the BeatsExpectations model, which fits a per-state line through proficiency and FRL share. Schools with this campus's poverty mix typically land near 44.4%; this one delivers 63.6%, a residual of +19.2 points.

In the surrounding community, the surrounding county (Pierce County) records that median household income runs about $99,564, 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Downing Elementary School is one of 287 public schools in Pierce County (combined enrollment of about 138,462 students).

Nearest neighbor: Dr. Dolores Silas High School, around 0.6 miles off. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. On composite proficiency, Downing Elementary School comes 2nd of 6 in the immediate cluster, above the nearby-schools average of 49.1%.

The campus sits in a downtown setting.

Five-year trend. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Downing Elementary School has edged up 5%, going from 285 students in 2018 to 298 in 2025. White enrollment moved from 52% to 58% across the same window. The student-to-teacher ratio rose from 16.2:1 in 2018 to 18.1:1 today.

On the community side, posts here usually surface around pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.