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GreatSchools Rating

Downing

Public | PK-5 | 294 students
 

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  • The teachers and staff really respect the kids and my son had a great for...

  • My son has attended Downing since Head Start and is currently in 3rd grade....

  • This is our son's fifth year at Downing and we are pleased with his...

  • I love the friendly staff, the strive for academic excellence is admirable....

  • This school has a great k-1 program in which students from both grades help...

 

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4 stars

Teacher quality

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5 reviews of this school

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Posted September 18, 2009
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The teachers and staff really respect the kids and my son had a great for kindergarten. He is above his grade level in both math and reading thanks to the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted February 25, 2008
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My son has attended Downing since Head Start and is currently in 3rd grade. The K-1 program is a great opportunity for students to build friendships and not be timid to ask for help. The foreign language program offers 3 different languages which is a great jump start for students. The PTA has a great presence and the Boys & Girls Club is right next door and offers before and after school programs. Downing also has several Highly Capable programs for children that excel. I would recommend this school to all parents new to the community or looking for a great school with exceptional opportunity for their child.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted September 17, 2007
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This is our son's fifth year at Downing and we are pleased with his education, the supportive and caring teachers/principal and the additional learning oportunities that have been offered to him. We have been here during the transition of principals and have to say that the current principal is fabulous! She is very supportive to her staff, children and families in this community. She is open to new ideas and strives to make Downing a top school in Tacoma School District. I am pleased that Downing is as diverse community. Downing is w/in walking distance to the Boys and Girls club, has an active PTA, offers Champions before/after school care and even extracurricular foreign language classes. I can not think of a better school and would be proud to welcome new families to Downing!
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted February 14, 2007
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I love the friendly staff, the strive for academic excellence is admirable. My daughter and son have gained so much in the 4 months they have been here.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted August 23, 2004
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This school has a great k-1 program in which students from both grades help each other. This method of teaching creates a harmonious sense of community. Last year Downing was introduced to a new principal who does not believe in field trips and started a uniform policy,this has caused obvious tension between parents,teachers and the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

Write your own review

Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 65% in 2012.

53 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
54%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 69% in 2012.

53 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
61%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 59% in 2012.

45 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
51%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

45 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
63%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 61% in 2012.

45 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
59%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
49%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2012.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
65%
Science

The state average for Science was 66% in 2012.

49 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
51%

2010

 
 
35%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students68%
Female69%
Male67%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White77%
Low income53%
Not low income87%
Special education27%
Not special education79%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students72%
Female85%
Male59%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White81%
Low income70%
Not low income74%
Special education55%
Not special education76%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students67%
Female77%
Male57%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White84%
Low income48%
Not low income83%
Special educationn/a
Not special education67%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students85%
Female91%
Male78%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White88%
Low income81%
Not low income88%
Special educationn/a
Not special education86%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students80%
Female91%
Male70%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White92%
Low income62%
Not low income96%
Special educationn/a
Not special education79%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

All Students63%
Female73%
Male56%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White69%
Low income48%
Not low income77%
Special education29%
Not special education77%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Reading

All Students61%
Female59%
Male63%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White69%
Low income43%
Not low income77%
Special education21%
Not special education77%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Science

All Students61%
Female64%
Male59%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White69%
Low income39%
Not low income81%
Special education14%
Not special education80%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Washington used the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, in writing in grades 4 and 7, and in science in grades 5 and 8. The MSP is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 64% 64%
Black 18% 6%
Asian/Pacific Islander 9% 9%
Hispanic 7% 16%
Native American 2% 3%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 43%N/A42%
Special education 11%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 0%N/A8%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 15N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 15N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 35%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

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2502 North Orchard St
Tacoma, WA 98406
Website: Click here
Phone: (253) 571-2253

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