- Enrollment
- 989
- Students per teacher
- 16:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Tacoma, WA
Christensen Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Christensen Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 38/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 530294000472
👥 S:T ratio 42
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 31
📋 Attendance 49
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Christensen Elementary earns 38/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 73% of Washington schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Washington schools.
- #15 of 42
- schools in Tacoma · Resource Index
- 38
- Resource Index · Typical
- 14.4:1
- small classes for Washington
- 67.1%
- free-lunch eligible
Christensen Elementary has class sizes smaller than 73% of Washington schools. Computed live against every Washington school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Christensen Elementary ranks #15 of 42 schools in Tacoma, WA.
School address
District: Franklin Pierce School District · Washington
NCES ID 530294000472 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-22 students YoY
Christensen Elementary shrank from 368 students in 2022-23 to 346 in 2023-24 (-6.0%).
Teacher FTE lost 24.0 → 23.1 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-22 students YoY 530294000472 · Tacoma, WA Other · SMALL · TRAD
346 enr · 14.4:1 · 67.1% lunch · RII 38
Nearest enrollment peer: Washington High School (989 students)
Christensen Elementary shrank from 368 students in 2022-23 to 346 in 2023-24 (-6.0%). Teacher FTE lost 24.0 → 23.1 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Washington schools → · Find another →
Christensen Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Washington Hig
Washington High School
989 students
- Franklin Pierc
Franklin Pierce High School
977 students
- Morris Ford Mi
Morris Ford Middle School
831 students
- Perry G Keithl
Perry G Keithley Middle School
804 students
- Brookdale Elem
Brookdale Elementary
483 students
- This school 346
Christensen Elementary
346 students
What this shows Christensen Elementary reports 346 students on the CCD universe file.
How Christensen Elementary compares
Christensen Elementary is a shrinking 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 | 14.4:1 | ▼ 18% | 17.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 67.1% | ▲ 49% | 45.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 346 | top 56% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
14.4:1
Leaner classes than 53% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
346
Bigger than 39% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
67.1%
free-lunch eligible
- 49% 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
14.4:1
students per teacher
- 18% below state mean
Top 27% in Washington - lower ratio than 73% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
20.5%
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
$19,065
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 346 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 2 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.6 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 32.1%
White 19.4%
Two or More 16.5%
African American 15.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 12.1%
Asian 2.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.4%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 32.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 79.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 79.1, Christensen Elementary is more mixed than the Washington school average of 53.3.
Programs
District finance for Franklin Pierce School District reports $19,065 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Christensen Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Franklin Pierce High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Morris Ford Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Brookdale Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Christensen Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 977
- Students per teacher
- 15.3:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 831
- Students per teacher
- 15.7:1
- Resource Index
- 49/100
- Enrollment
- 804
- Students per teacher
- 18.3:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 483
- Students per teacher
- 15.6:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
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
Birney Elementary School
Standard public school
476 students 15.9:1 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 (~346 students)
Frequently asked questions about Christensen Elementary
How many students attend Christensen Elementary?
Christensen Elementary has 346 students enrolled. It is a public school in Tacoma, WA. CCD year-over-year: 368 (2022-23) → 346 (2023-24), down 22.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Christensen Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Christensen Elementary is 14.4:1, which is 18% lower than the Washington average of 17.6:1 and 8% lower 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 Christensen Elementary?
67.1% of students at Christensen Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Washington average of 45.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Christensen Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Christensen Elementary is Hispanic or Latino at 32.1% of enrollment, in Tacoma, WA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 79.1/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Christensen Elementary?
Christensen Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 38/100 (typical 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 Christensen Elementary rank among schools in Tacoma?
By Resource Investment Index, Christensen Elementary ranks #15 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 Franklin Pierce School District?
Besides Christensen Elementary, Franklin Pierce School District also operates Washington High School (989 students), Franklin Pierce High School (977 students), and Morris Ford Middle School (831 students). See the Franklin Pierce School District district page for the complete list.