What are the best schools in Tacoma? This is easily one of the most complex questions we get here at Move to Tacoma. If you’ve asked anywhere else online you have probably received a lot of passionate (and probably conflicting) reviews of the local public and private schools in the greater Tacoma area. Probably because when it comes to schools different people are looking for different things.
Over the past 10 years we have interviewed the superindendent of Tacoma public schools, University Place School Board members, public school teachers, private school admissions experts in Tacoma, and local parents passionate about Tacoma’s students. We are here to give you all the information you need to do a truly deep dive of your own and find the perfect fit for your student. Let’s start with the basics?
What are the schools in the Greater Tacoma Area?
There are a wide variety of educational opportunities in Pierce County. In addition to public schools there are independent schools, boarding schools, and religious education. There are also top rated universities.
Universities & Colleges in Pierce County:
University of Washington Tacoma
Puget Sound University (aka UPS)
Evergreen State College Tacoma
Northwest College of Art & Design
Public School Districts in Pierce County:
Franklin Pierce School District
Steilacoom Historical School District
Sumner Bonney Lake School District
University Place School District
Private Schools in Pierce County:
Charles Wright Academy – University PLace
Annie Wright Schools – Tacoma
Community Montesori – Tacoma
Seabury School – Tacoma
Religious Education:
Life Christian Academy – Tacoma
Puget Sound Christian School – Tacoma
Heritage Christian School – Tacoma
Bellarmine Preparatory High School (Catholic) – Tacoma
Lakewood Lutheran School – Lakewood
Sound Christian Academy – Tacoma
Concordia Christian School (Lutheran) – Tacoma
Holy Rosary School (Catholic) – Tacoma
Covenant High School – Tacoma
St Francis Cabrini (Catholic) – Lakewood
Northwest Christian School – Puyallup
Cascade Christian Schools – Frederickson, Puyallup, McAlder
Lighthouse Christian School – Gig Harbor
Tacoma Christian Academy – Tacoma
How do I research and compare schools in and around Tacoma, Washington?
When people are moving to Tacoma and choosing a neighborhood- schools are often a factor. One thing’s for sure, EVERYONE has an opinion on schools- in Tacoma and everywhere else in America. Here at Move to Tacoma we’ve worked hard to make it easier for you to learn about the schools in and around Tacoma right from the experts. We’ve interviewed school board members, teachers, the superintendent of Tacoma schools, and experts on private schools and private school admissions in Tacoma on our podcast. If you’re researching Tacoma schools and want to go deeper than a scorecard on a problematic website– start here!
Marguerite talks with her friend, parent of TPS kids, and local real estate company owner Anne about how to research schools. Anne talks about the Washington State OSPI Report Card which is a great place to start on how to dig deeper into data about individual public schools:
Tacoma has open enrollment which means you can have children from the same household attending multiple schools. Finding the right school for your family is about more than ratings on websites. Anne and Marguerite encourage people to tour schools and speak to teachers and parents. Marguerite can help connect you to a local real estate agent who is plugged in with the local school community in the area you’re wanting to be in. Click here to talk to Marguerite one on one about moving to Tacoma.
Additional resources for researching schools in Tacoma:
Interview with Tanisha Jumper from Tacoma Public Schools – Marguerite had Tanisha Jumper, the spokesperson for Tacoma Public Schools on the Move to Tacoma Podcast to talk about growing up attending Steilacoom schools (and sending her kids there), and working at Tacoma Public Schools. Marguerite asked Tanisha all the questions her clients relocating to Tacoma ask her about schools and got clear, candid answers. Check out the interview here.
Private Schools in Tacoma
Full Interview with Cheryl Schenk, Private School Admissions Expert – Marguerite interviewed Cheryl Schenk who is an expert on admissions and private schools in the greater Tacoma area. For a list of Private Schools in Tacoma check out our article here.
Additional resources for researching Tacoma Schools:
Tacoma Public Schools Youtube Youtube Channel
Tacoma Public Schools Superintendent Carla Santorno Podcast
University Place School Board Member T’Wina Nobles Podcast
Washington State Teacher of the Year Nate Bowling Podcast
How to Research Tacoma Schools Video
Who is Tacoma real estate agent Marguerite Martin?
Marguerite is Tacoma real estate agent, blogger, and podcaster who has been selling houses in Tacoma since 2005.
In 2015 she created MovetoTacoma.com to help people learn more about Tacoma neighborhoods and what it’s really like living in Tacoma. She is the interviewer on the Move to Tacoma Podcast and the host on the Move to Tacoma Youtube Channel. In 2016 she was awarded the the Popham Award by the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. The Popham Award honors the individual in the City of Tacoma that has done the most to build community spirit.
Looking for a real estate agent? Marguerite is a matchmaker. Contact her for an introduction to the best real estate agents in Tacoma and beyond.
How Move to Tacoma Works
Here at Move to Tacoma we’ve been helping people find their place (and their real estate agent) in Tacoma for over a decade. We recommend choosing a local agent that lives and works in Tacoma and knows all the nuances of pricing, neighborhoods, and the condition (and quirks!) of these historic homes.
Here at MovetoTacoma.com we help people find their place in the City of Destiny. If you or a friend are looking to buy a home in Tacoma and would like help learning about Tacoma neighborhoods and finding a real estate agent please reach out to us! You can click the contact form on MovetoTacoma.com. You can also schedule a one-on-one with Marguerite on zoom by clicking here.
Step 1: Explore the Clickable Neighborhood Map of Tacoma
Our clickable neighborhood map of Tacoma’s neighborhoods is our pride and joy. Click through to find images and videos of each neighborhood. The Neighborhood guides on the map also include median home price information, blog posts about the neighborhoods, podcast episodes about the neighborhoods, and candid quotes from local neighbors.
Step 2: Listen to the Move to Tacoma Podcast
The best way to learn about Tacoma is to hear from the people who live here. On the Move to Tacoma Podcast Marguerite interviews Tacomans who’ve been here generations and Tacomans who just got here. From business and technology leaders to politicians and activists and everyone in between. The Move to Tacoma Podcast will give you insight into why people move here and how they find meaning and happiness in Tacoma.
Step 3: Read the Blog Posts on MovetoTacoma.com
On the Move to Tacoma Blog we have been writing about things to do in Tacoma, where to eat in Tacoma, hot button community topics, neighborhoods and more since 2015. There are hundreds of posts to help you find what you love in the City of Destiny. From posts about where to eat and drink to interviews with locals- the blog is a great place to keep up one what’s happening in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Step 4: Get Realtor Referral from a Local Realtor
Marguerite Martin is a different kind of Tacoma real estate agent. Reach out to find out answers to questions you have about neighborhoods in Tacoma and Pierce County. When the time is right to start looking, Marguerite can connect you with a local real estate agent who specializes in the neighborhoods you love most. You can see reviews from past clients who’ve worked with Marguerite on Yelp and on Google.
