Wainwright Intermediate School

As a compact middle-grades school in Tacoma, Washington, Wainwright Intermediate School works with 368 students from grades 4 through 8, part of Tacoma School District. Enrollment runs roughly 36% leaner than the state mean of about 577.

Across the 66 schools in Tacoma School District (28,900 students total), Wainwright Intermediate School accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Looking at the student body, Wainwright Intermediate School lists that 35% of students identify as White, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups. Other groups include 24% multiracial, 17% Hispanic, 14% Black, 6% Asian. The wider county runs roughly 64% White, putting the school's mix meaningfully less White than the area baseline.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Wainwright Intermediate School shows 21 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 17.8:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 18.9:1, putting Wainwright Intermediate School tighter than the state norm the norm. About 60% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator. Set against Pierce County (around 50%), the school's rate is meaningfully above typical.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, Wainwright Intermediate School tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 40.3% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 35.8%.

Zooming out to the county, the surrounding county (Pierce County) logs that median household earnings sit near $99,564, 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 6%. Wainwright Intermediate School is one of 287 public schools in Pierce County (combined enrollment of about 138,462 students).

The closest other public school is The School at Pearl Youth Residence, roughly 0.8 miles away. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. Among the 7 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Wainwright Intermediate School ranks 5th on composite proficiency, below the local average of 41.4%.

The school occupies an outer-ring site.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Wainwright Intermediate School has fell 6%, going from 390 students in 2018 to 368 in 2025. The White share of enrollment fell from 47% to 35% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio tightened from 20.2:1 in 2018 to 17.8:1 today.

On the community side, posts here usually surface around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.