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Whitman Elementary School

Summary:

Whitman Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tacoma, Washington, serving 327 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Tacoma School District, which is ranked 152 out of 247 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Whitman Elementary School consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of Washington elementary schools, with significantly lower academic performance than the state and district averages on standardized tests. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 32.37% of Whitman students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 45.84% in the Tacoma School District and 52.63% statewide. The school's performance is particularly low for certain student subgroups, such as African American, Special Education, and Low Socioeconomic Status students. Additionally, Whitman has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 45.6% to 68.5% over the past few years.

Whitman Elementary School's academic performance is generally lower than the nearby Sheridan Elementary School, Stanley Elementary School, and Mann Elementary School, which have higher proficiency rates on state assessments and higher overall rankings within the state. The nearby Impact Public Schools, a public charter school, also has higher academic performance than Whitman Elementary School, suggesting that the charter school model may be providing a more effective educational approach for the student population in this area.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1120 S 39th St
       Tacoma, WA  98408

(253) 571-7272

District: Tacoma School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
933rd of 1,168 Washington Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $23,089 Help


Students who attend Whitman Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Angelo Giaudrone Middle School
High:    Lincoln High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.2 Help
Number of students:  327

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
27.5%
Two or more races:
21.1%
White:
19.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  68.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Whitman Elementary School ranks worse than 79.9% of elementary schools in Washington. It also ranks 22nd among 35 ranked elementary schools in the Tacoma School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.57. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Whitman Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (27.5%), two or more races (21.1%), White (19.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 68.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Whitman Elementary School is 14.2, which is the 5th best among 35 elementary schools in the Tacoma School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Whitman Elementary School employs 23 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Whitman Elementary School is $23,089, which is the 4th highest among 35 elementary schools in the Tacoma School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Whitman Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Whitman Elementary School 933rd of 1168 Washington public elementary schools. (See Whitman Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:


Tacoma School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Tacoma School District 152nd of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Whitman Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 27.27 799th 1026 22.1%
2005 42.49 642nd 1031 37.7%
2006 22.18 888th 1051 15.5%
2007 32.76 773rd 1069 27.7%
2008 29.53 815th 1067 23.6%
2009 21.49 899th 1072 16.1%
2010 19.61 950th 1088 12.7%
2011 11.93 1024th 1092 6.2%
2012 13.68 1009th 1097 8.0%
2013 10.10 1057th 1106 4.4%
2015 11.87 984th 1067 7.8%
2016 11.73 976th 1053 7.3%
2017 20.03 875th 1056 17.1%
2018 17.21 909th 1054 13.8%
2019 25.39 888th 1130 21.4%
2021 10.27 1035th 1107 6.5%
2022 21.56 947th 1169 19.0%
2023 22.18 945th 1169 19.2%
2024 22.57 933rd 1168 20.1%
See the entire list of Washington Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.62 195th 212 8.0%
2019 27.16 244th 303 19.5%
2022 29.76 188th 252 25.4%
2023 10.56 191st 194 1.5%
2024 20.88 168th 188 10.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.45 533rd 637 16.3%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.57 712th 835 14.7%
2019 37.93 654th 979 33.2%
2022 33.28 724th 1019 28.9%
2023 25.00 836th 1013 17.5%
2024 22.13 883rd 1024 13.8%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.92 822nd 1004 18.1%
2019 24.21 865th 1068 19.0%
2022 25.67 846th 1100 23.1%
2023 23.94 858th 1094 21.6%
2024 21.83 881st 1093 19.4%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.81 904th 999 9.5%
2019 30.58 779th 1075 27.5%
2022 18.45 953rd 1113 14.4%
2023 29.92 784th 1099 28.7%
2024 25.72 835th 1099 24.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.45 80th 107 25.2%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.04 270th 540 50.0%
2023 62.37 193rd 633 69.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Whitman Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.48 738th 833 11.4%
2019 39.37 687th 1027 33.1%
See the entire list of Best Washington Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Whitman Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
Help






Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Whitman Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 309 38 14 13 21 n/a n/a 0 395
1989 299 53 15 11 16 n/a n/a 0 394
1990 286 53 23 12 14 n/a n/a 0 388
1991 312 70 27 11 16 n/a n/a 0 436
1992 250 86 23 11 10 n/a n/a 0 380
1993 272 81 35 16 10 n/a n/a 0 414
1994 277 68 54 18 7 n/a n/a 0 424
1995 255 89 45 23 13 n/a n/a 0 425
1996 255 89 45 23 13 n/a n/a 0 425
1997 247 93 43 24 11 n/a n/a 0 418
1998 263 87 56 25 7 n/a n/a 0 438
1999 251 93 48 19 10 n/a n/a 0 421
2000 231 90 52 27 4 n/a n/a 0 404
2001 225 93 57 28 1 n/a n/a 0 404
2002 216 94 58 47 2 n/a n/a 0 417
2003 216 94 58 47 2 n/a n/a 0 417
2004 232 97 61 44 5 n/a n/a 0 439
2005 247 98 68 49 5 n/a n/a 0 467
2006 215 107 68 39 5 n/a n/a 0 434
2007 202 85 47 52 4 n/a n/a 0 390
2008 173 101 68 53 9 n/a n/a 0 404
2009 195 85 63 55 10 n/a n/a 0 408
2010 170 79 73 64 12 n/a n/a 0 398
2011 146 61 50 61 2 17 33 0 370
2012 137 63 66 63 3 14 39 0 385
2013 154 96 68 67 4 17 3 0 409
2014 155 102 62 69 2 16 17 0 423
2015 146 91 60 72 6 20 33 0 428
2016 137 95 57 91 4 25 47 0 456
2017 125 73 46 76 5 23 72 0 420
2018 115 46 39 74 3 21 91 0 389
2019 114 38 41 83 3 37 105 0 421
2020 82 48 32 82 2 20 86 0 352
2021 86 50 27 78 1 22 80 0 344
2022 59 49 29 88 2 17 74 0 318
2023 64 59 27 90 3 15 69 0 327

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Whitman Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 395 19.0 20.7 0
1989 394 20.0 19.7 n/a
1990 388 20.9 18.5 0
1991 436 22.2 19.6 n/a
1992 380 23.3 16.3 n/a
1993 414 24.5 16.9 n/a
1994 424 24.0 17.7 n/a
1995 425 23.8 17.9 n/a
1996 425 23.8 17.9 n/a
1997 418 24.5 17.1 n/a
1998 438 22.5 19.5 n/a
1999 421 21.5 19.6 n/a
2000 404 19.1 21.2 n/a
2001 404 22.0 18.4 n/a
2002 417 24.1 17.3 71.7
2003 417 24.1 17.3 71.7
2004 439 24.0 18.3 68.3
2005 467 24.2 19.3 63.8
2006 434 26.0 16.7 69.6
2007 390 24.9 15.7 68.2
2008 404 26.3 15.4 68.3
2009 408 26.3 15.5 74.8
2010 398 26.3 15.0 81.7
2011 370 25.5 14.5 69.7
2012 385 24.4 15.7 61.8
2013 409 24.4 16.7 81.9
2014 423 n/a n/a 80.9
2015 428 29.0 14.7 80.1
2016 456 26.0 17.5 79.6
2017 420 25.9 16.1 79
2018 389 24.9 15.6 75.3
2019 421 24.4 17.2 69.1
2020 352 22.8 15.4 73.6
2021 344 21.7 15.8 68
2022 318 21.4 14.8 45.6
2023 327 23.0 14.2 68.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Whitman Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 395 19.0 20.7 0
1989 394 20.0 19.7 n/a
1990 388 20.9 18.5 0
1991 436 22.2 19.6 n/a
1992 380 23.3 16.3 n/a
1993 414 24.5 16.9 n/a
1994 424 24.0 17.7 n/a
1995 425 23.8 17.9 n/a
1996 425 23.8 17.9 n/a
1997 418 24.5 17.1 n/a
1998 438 22.5 19.5 n/a
1999 421 21.5 19.6 n/a
2000 404 19.1 21.2 n/a
2001 404 22.0 18.4 n/a
2002 417 24.1 17.3 71.7
2003 417 24.1 17.3 71.7
2004 439 24.0 18.3 68.3
2005 467 24.2 19.3 63.8
2006 434 26.0 16.7 69.6
2007 390 24.9 15.7 68.2
2008 404 26.3 15.4 68.3
2009 408 26.3 15.5 74.8
2010 398 26.3 15.0 81.7
2011 370 25.5 14.5 69.7
2012 385 24.4 15.7 61.8
2013 409 24.4 16.7 81.9
2014 423 n/a n/a 80.9
2015 428 29.0 14.7 80.1
2016 456 26.0 17.5 79.6
2017 420 25.9 16.1 79
2018 389 24.9 15.6 75.3
2019 421 24.4 17.2 69.1
2020 352 22.8 15.4 73.6
2021 344 21.7 15.8 68
2022 318 21.4 14.8 45.6
2023 327 23.0 14.2 68.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

Whitman Elementary School

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussisMeaslesMumpsRubellaTetanus
201677.1%0.0%0.0%0.0%78.6%80.0%97.1%84.3%82.9%100.0%
201791.0%0.0%0.0%1.5%3.0%95.5%98.5%95.5%97.0%97.0%98.5%
201885.5%0.0%1.8%1.8%1.8%87.3%90.9%96.4%89.1%90.9%100.0%
201978.6%0.0%0.0%0.0%4.3%81.4%84.3%90.0%81.4%84.3%97.1%
202095.4%2.3%0.0%2.3%2.3%95.4%95.4%100.0%97.7%95.4%97.7%97.7%97.7%95.4%
202193.1%0.0%0.0%3.5%0.0%98.3%94.8%98.3%96.6%94.8%96.6%96.6%96.6%94.8%
202286.5%1.9%3.9%0.0%0.0%86.5%86.5%92.3%86.5%86.5%86.5%86.5%86.5%86.5%
202386.3%0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%86.3%88.2%88.2%88.2%88.2%92.2%92.2%92.2%88.2%
202487.9%0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%89.7%89.7%91.4%87.9%89.7%89.7%89.7%89.7%89.7%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health

Immunization Rates (Entire school)

Whitman Elementary School

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201991.7%0.3%0.5%2.1%97.1%97.6%97.6%96.8%97.6%98.9%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Whitman Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,101 (12.1%) $15,307 (87.9%) $17,408
2020 $2,170 (15.2%) $12,090 (84.8%) $14,260
2021 $4,465 (22.4%) $15,452 (77.6%) $19,917
2022 $2,889 (12.5%) $20,200 (87.5%) $23,089

Data source: Washington Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Whitman Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 888th of 1130 Elementary schoolsRanks 945th of 1169 Elementary schools
 2.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Whitman Elementary School)40.550
 9.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)51.643.7
 7.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Washington)56.348.9
 7.4%
3rd Grade Math (Whitman Elementary School)33.340.5
 7.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Tacoma School District)52.543.4
 9.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Washington)5951.6
 7.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Whitman Elementary School)42.434
 8.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)55.546.3
 9.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)57.750.1
 7.6%
4th Grade Math (Whitman Elementary School)37.934
 3.9%
   4th Grade Math (Tacoma School District)48.241
 7.2%
   4th Grade Math (Washington)54.949.4
 5.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Whitman Elementary School)61.325.7
 35.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)60.350.2
 10.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)61.353.8
 7.6%
5th Grade Math (Whitman Elementary School)34.711.4
 23.2%
   5th Grade Math (Tacoma School District)4332.6
 10.3%
   5th Grade Math (Washington)49.142
 7.1%
5th Grade Science (Whitman Elementary School)45.328.6
 16.8%
   5th Grade Science (Tacoma School District)48.444.3
 4.1%
   5th Grade Science (Washington)54.152.3
 1.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Whitman Elementary School)49.736.4
 13.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Tacoma School District)53.447.2
 6.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Whitman Elementary School)35.529.5
 6%
   All Grades Math (Tacoma School District)39.430.5
 8.9%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Whitman Elementary School)45.328.6
 16.8%
   All Grades Science (Tacoma School District)45.640
 5.6%
   All Grades Science (Washington)52.748.8
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students421327
 22.3%
African American3859
 55.3%
American Indian33
Asian4127
 34.1%
Hispanic8390
 8.4%
Pacific Islander3715
 59.5%
White11464
 43.9%
Two or More Races10569
 34.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.1%68.5%
 0.6%

Schools Near Whitman Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Whitman Elementary School

Whitman Elementary School ranks in the bottom 20.1% of Washington elementary schools.

Students at Whitman Elementary School are 28% Hispanic, 21% Two or more races, 20% White, 18% African American, 8% Asian, 5% Pacific Islander.

In the 2022-23 school year, 327 students attended Whitman Elementary School.

Students who attend Whitman Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Angelo Giaudrone Middle School
High : Lincoln High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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