Tacoma Public Schools

Last updated

Tacoma Public Schools
Tacoma Public Schools logo 01.png
Location
Central Administration Building
601 South 8th Street
Tacoma, Washington 98405
United States
District information
Type Public
Grades Pre-K through 12
SuperintendentDr. Josh Garcia
Students and staff
Students30,000
Other information
Website Tacoma Public Schools

Tacoma School District No. 10, commonly called Tacoma Public Schools, is a school district headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, United States. Composed of 35 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 10 high schools, and 4 early learning centers. It is the third largest school district in Washington State. Tacoma Public Schools serve more than 30,000 students PK-12 and nearly 5,000 employees, making it one of the largest employers in the greater Tacoma area. [1]

Contents

History

In the decades preceding World War I, Tacoma Public Schools, like much of the United States, were largely influenced by a new influx of European immigrants that had been creating challenges among both governmental and religious agencies in devising a plan for best addressing ethnic integration. Many immigrant families, primarily from eastern and southern European descent, were of rural backgrounds and struggled to adapt to a more urban and advanced way of life. In 1913, the National Conference on Immigration and Americanization developed a list of three essential aspects of immigrant assimilation: literacy, health and hygiene, and the learning of democracy. As a result, schools across the nation began introducing new policies and programs that were intended to promote and teach the importance of these three values. [2]

Closely following national trends, the Tacoma School District began widespread incorporation of nurses, health clinics, showers, and home economic departments, all of which were designed to improve health and hygiene within school property. Tacoma Public Schools also witnessed a significant expansion in social services, including after-school programs, summer school, and availability of on-site lunches. This focus on the civic responsibilities of schools resulted in the improvement of libraries, lunchrooms, administrative offices, and other rooms designated towards providing the necessary space and tools that address new communal values and concerns. [2]

United States involvement in World War I had a significant effect on the demographics of both Tacoma and its school system. The 1914 opening of the Panama Canal, and the 1917 establishment of Fort Lewis (Now Joint Base Lewis-McChord) resulted in a significant population increase in Tacoma and its surrounding areas. The Panama Canal succeeded in expanding business and industry associated with the Port of Tacoma, while Fort Lewis quickly became the largest in the United States at the time, consisting of 37,000 soldiers. From 1915 to 1920, enrollment in Tacoma Public Schools had risen from 14,211 to 18,023 (a 22% increase). To address the rapid growth of student population, the district school board debated between three possible educational models, all of which would have an effect on the future construction of schools. The models included the 8-4 system, the 6-6 system, and the 6-3-3 system. The 8-4 system, which was the typical model for schools prior to World War I, had grades one through eight in elementary schools with grades nine through 12 in high schools. The proposed 6-6 system advocated for grades one through six in elementary school, with grades seven through 12 in high school. The 6-3-3 system, which was eventually adopted, advocated for grades one through six in elementary school, grades seven through nine in middle school, and grades 10 through 12 in high school. [2]

Promoting the transition to this new elementary, intermediate, high school model, Tacoma voters authorized a $2.4 million plan in 1923, which jump-started construction of six new intermediate schools and additions to several existing elementary schools. Jason Lee was the first intermediate school to be constructed, soon followed by James P. Stewart and Morton M. McCarver middle schools. Franklin B. Gault, Allan C. Mason, and Robert Gray middle schools were the last constructed, and all opened on the same day the following year. [2]

The onset of World War II resulted in another significant population spike within Tacoma and its schools, as both the Port of Tacoma and Fort Lewis boomed with similar economic prowess as seen previously in World War I. From 1950 to 1956, public school enrollment shot from 22,157 to 29,778, illustrating a 26% increase. The overcrowding of aging elementary schools and need for construction in suburban areas prompted the school board to draft a new building campaign, which emphasized quick, cheap, and flexible school construction. [2]

Boundary

The district includes almost all of Tacoma, Browns Point, Dash Point, Ruston, most of Fircrest, plus portions of Lakewood, Midland, and University Place. [3]

List of schools

Elementary schools

  • Arlington Elementary School
  • Birney Elementary School
  • Blix Elementary School
  • Boze Elementary School
  • Browns Point Elementary School
  • Bryant Montessori (PK-8)
  • Crescent Heights Elementary School
  • DeLong Elementary School
  • Downing Elementary School
  • Edison Elementary School
  • Edna Travis Elementary School
  • Fawcett Elementary School
  • Fern Hill Elementary School
  • Franklin Elementary School
  • Geiger Montessori School
  • Grant Center for the Expressive Arts
  • Jefferson Elementary School
  • Larchmont Elementary School
  • Lister Elementary School
  • Lowell Elementary School
  • Mary Lyon Elementary School
  • Manitou Park Elementary School
  • Mann Elementary School
  • Northeast Tacoma Elementary School
  • Point Defiance Elementary School
  • Jennie Reed Elementary School
  • Roosevelt Elementary School
  • Sheridan Elementary School
  • Sherman Elementary School
  • Skyline Elementary School
  • Stafford Elementary School
  • Stanley Elementary School
  • Washington/Hoyt Elementary School
  • Whitman Elementary School

Middle schools

High schools

High Schools (Grades 9-12)
High SchoolTypeEstablishedEnrollment [4] Mascot WIAA Classification [5] Notes
Henry Foss Comprehensive 1973801Falcons2ALocated in Central Tacoma
Lincoln Comprehensive 19131,509Abes3ALocated in East Tacoma
Mount Tahoma Comprehensive 19611,480Thunderbirds3ALocated in South Tacoma
Oakland Alternative Alternative 1988218EaglesN/ALocated in Central Tacoma
School of the Arts Magnet 2001629N/AN/ALocated in downtown Tacoma
Science and Math Institute Magnet 2009615 Buckminsterfullerenes or Stem Cells, Peacocks (unofficial)N/ALocated in Point Defiance Park.
School of Industrial Design Engineering and ArtMagnet2016400TableN/A6701 S Park Ave

Tacoma, WA

Stadium Comprehensive 1906*1,465Tigers3A*1906 as Tacoma High School, 1913 as Stadium. Located in North/Downtown Tacoma.
Silas Comprehensive 19581,302Rams3AFormerly "Wilson"; located in North/West Tacoma.

District Facts

[6]

Demographics

Student Count30,877
American Indian or Alaskan Native371
Asian3,045
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander802
Black or African American5,877
Hispanic or Latino5,068
Multi Racial2,077
Free or reduced-price meals19,515
Special education3,661
English Language Learners3,186
Elementary schools37
Middle schools9
Comprehensive high schools5
Alternative learning sites14
Total Employees5,035
Teachers2,028
Beginning salary$40,105
Average salary$64,239
Estimated per pupil cost$12,690

Funding

Total operating budget$363,959,013
Local tax revenue$84,119,382
Local non-tax revenue$6,111,595
State general revenue$167,082
State special revenue$52,566,900
Federal general revenue$310,504
Federal special revenue$39,650,008
Other school districts$1,800,000
Other entities$1,116,376
Other financing sources$1,500,000

School Board

Since 2021, Dr. Josh Garcia has been the superintendent of the district, having previously served as Deputy Superintendent since 2012. [7]

Lisa Keating, Director, Position 1

Elected to Office: November 2019

Current Term Expires: November 2025

Enrique Leon, Director, Position 2

Appointed to Office: February 2018

Elected to office November 2019

Elected to office November 2021

Current Term Expires: November 2027

Korey Strozier, Director, Position 3

Appointed to Office: November 2020

Elected November 2021, November 2023

Current Term Expires: November 2029 [8]

Chelsea McElroy, Director Position 4

Elected to Office: November 2021

Current Term Expires: November 2027

Elizabeth Bonbright, President, Position 5

Appointed to Office: November 2019

Elected: November 2021, November 2023

Current Term Expires: November 2029 [9]

Graduation Rates

Reaching a graduation rate of 91.1%, the Tacoma School District's class of 2023 witnessed its highest graduation rate since the State began tracking the statistic in 2003.

In 2012, the school board set a goal of reaching 85% graduation by 2020, which it achieved. The goal to increase the graduation rate came after criticism that labeled Tacoma high schools as "dropout factories," with graduation rates as low as 55%. [10]

Athletic and Activities

High school students of Tacoma Public Schools compete in the Narrows League for athletics, and member schools are a part of West Central District III and the Washington State Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Students have the ability to compete in as many as 21 different sports at the high school level, while middle school students from grades six to eight can compete in 11 different sports at the junior varsity, varsity, and C-team levels. [11]

According to the round table of South Sound athletic directors, funding has been a primary concern in the ability of schools to maintain and improve their athletic programs. Terry Jenks, athletic director of Curtis High School, mentions increasing difficulty in finding quality coaches, as schools remain unable to offer salaries to make coaching a full-time job that accounts for cost-of-living increases. There has also been a recorded decrease in attendance at sporting events, which Puyallup high school AD Rick Wells attributes to an offering of more sports, but fewer people interested in them individually. Decreased attendance is also supported by the rise of social media, where students have the opportunity to catch up on scores and highlights without being present at the games itself. Also mentioned is an increase of poverty, resulting in less students who have personal transportation and are able to travel to games and events on their own accord. [12]

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References

  1. ↑ "About - Tacoma Public Schools". www.tacomaschools.org. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Swope, Caroline (2010). "Preserving Tacoma's Historic Schools" (PDF). Historic Tacoma. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  3. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pierce County, WA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. pp. 1-2 (PDF p. 2-3). Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list
  4. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 10, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ "District 3 League Contacts".
  6. ↑ "About Us". Tacoma Schools. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Story Detail - Tacoma Public Schools". www.tacomaschools.org. April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  8. ↑ https://www.tacomaschools.org/about/school-board/board-members [ bare URL ]
  9. ↑ "Board Members - Tacoma Public Schools". www.tacomaschools.org. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Class of 2023 makes history with 91.1% graduation rate". Tacoma Public Schools. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Athletics & Activities". Tacoma Schools. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  12. ↑ "State of high school sports: South Sound athletic directors roundtable". thenewstribune. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
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