- Enrollment
- 1,700
- Students per teacher
- 25.4:1
- Resource Index
- 26/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Tacoma, WA
Birney Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Birney Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 28/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 530870001455
👥 S:T ratio 36
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 5
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Birney Elementary School earns 28/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Washington median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Washington schools.
- #35 of 42
- schools in Tacoma · Resource Index
- 28
- Resource Index · Lower
- 15.9:1
- students per teacher
- 62.1%
- free-lunch eligible
Birney Elementary School has class sizes near the Washington median. Computed live against every Washington school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Birney Elementary School ranks #35 of 42 schools in Tacoma, WA.
School address
District: Tacoma School District · Washington
NCES ID 530870001455 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+38 students YoY
Birney Elementary School grew from 451 students in 2022-23 to 489 in 2023-24 (+8.4%).
Teacher FTE added 30.2 → 33.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+38 students YoY 530870001455 · Tacoma, WA Other · SMALL · TRAD
476 enr · 15.9:1 · 62.1% lunch · RII 28
Nearest enrollment peer: Stadium High School (1,700 students)
Birney Elementary School grew from 451 students in 2022-23 to 489 in 2023-24 (+8.4%). Teacher FTE added 30.2 → 33.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Washington schools → · Find another →
Birney Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Stadium High S
Stadium High School
1,700 students
- Lincoln High S
Lincoln High School
1,556 students
- Mount Tahoma H
Mount Tahoma High School
1,410 students
- Dr. Dolores Si
Dr. Dolores Silas High School
1,160 students
- Baker Middle S
Baker Middle School
687 students
- This school 476
Birney Elementary School
476 students
What this shows Birney Elementary School reports 476 students on the CCD universe file.
How Birney Elementary School compares
Birney Elementary School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Washington and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Washington | Washington avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.9:1 | ▼ 10% | 17.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 62.1% | ▲ 38% | 45.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 476 | top 35% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.9:1
Leaner classes than 39% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
476
Bigger than 59% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
62.1%
free-lunch eligible
- 38% above the Washington average of 45.0%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.9:1
students per teacher
- 10% below state mean
Top 45% in Washington - lower ratio than 55% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
66.6%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$19,679
per pupil, district-wide
- below Washington avg of $20,912
Somewhat above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 476 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
1
in-school suspensions + 9 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.2 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.1 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 1 expulsion.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 30.5%
White 21.4%
Two or More 14.3%
Asian 12.6%
African American 12.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 7.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 30.5% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 80.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 80.3, Birney Elementary School is more mixed than the Washington school average of 53.3.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Tacoma School District reports $19,679 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Birney Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Lincoln High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Mount Tahoma High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Baker Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Birney Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,556
- Students per teacher
- 18.7:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
- Enrollment
- 1,410
- Students per teacher
- 20.1:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 1,160
- Students per teacher
- 24.2:1
- Resource Index
- 24/100
- Enrollment
- 687
- Students per teacher
- 19.1:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
Similar other schools in Tacoma
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Columbia Junior High School
Standard public school
619 students 20.6:1 students per teacher
Sheridan Elementary School
Standard public school
525 students 17.5:1 students per teacher
Geiger Montessori School
Standard public school
521 students 19.3:1 students per teacher
Boze Elementary School
Standard public school
485 students 17.3:1 students per teacher
Brookdale Elementary
Standard public school
483 students 15.6:1 students per teacher
Collins Elementary
Standard public school
466 students 15.5:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~476 students)
Frequently asked questions about Birney Elementary School
How many students attend Birney Elementary School?
Birney Elementary School has 476 students enrolled. It is a public school in Tacoma, WA. CCD year-over-year: 451 (2022-23) → 489 (2023-24), up 38.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Birney Elementary School is 15.9:1, which is 10% lower than the Washington average of 17.6:1 and 1% higher than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Birney Elementary School?
62.1% of students at Birney Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Washington average of 45.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Birney Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Birney Elementary School is Hispanic or Latino at 30.5% of enrollment, in Tacoma, WA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 80.3/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Birney Elementary School?
Birney Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 28/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Birney Elementary School rank among schools in Tacoma?
By Resource Investment Index, Birney Elementary School ranks #35 of 42 schools in Tacoma, WA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Tacoma on the city page.
What other schools are in Tacoma School District?
Besides Birney Elementary School, Tacoma School District also operates Stadium High School (1,700 students), Lincoln High School (1,556 students), and Mount Tahoma High School (1,410 students). See the Tacoma School District district page for the complete list.