Congratulations to the six schools in our school district recognized by the Washington State Board of Education for their work in closing opportunity gaps and supporting students' growth and academic achievement during the 2024–25 school year. 

Each year, the Washington School Recognition Program highlights schools that demonstrate exceptional progress in those three key areas of student success. This year, just 16% of schools in Washington received this distinction.  

This year’s recognition is based on 2025 Washington School Improvement Framework  performance data. Tacoma Public Schools sites on the list are:

Birney Elementary
Recognized for growth: Black student growth from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year was in the top 10% of schools for ELA proficiency rate, ELA student growth percentiles and attendance.

Fawcett Elementary
Recognized for growth: Asian student growth from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year was in the top 10% of schools for ELA proficiency rate and attendance.

Giaudrone Middle School
Recognized for growth: Asian student growth from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year was in the top 10% of schools for math proficiency rate and attendance.

IDEA
Recognized for achievement: The “All Students” group at the school performed in the top 20 percent of schools on the graduation rate and dual credit participation in the 2025 WSIF.

Point Defiance Elementary
Recognized for growth: Hispanic/Latino student growth from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year was in the top 10% of schools for math proficiency rate, ELA student growth percentiles, math student growth percentiles and attendance.

Wainwright Intermediate
Recognized for growth: Asian student growth from the 2023-24 school year to the 2024-25 school year was in the top 10% of schools for ELA proficiency rate, math proficiency rate and attendance.

The program is operated by the State Board of Education in collaboration with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee.