Public School Review - Established 2003

Point Defiance Elementary School vs. Sunset Primary

Should you attend Point Defiance Elementary School or Sunset Primary? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
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School Overview

School
Point Defiance Elementary School
4330 N Visscher St
Tacoma, WA 98407
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
Sunset Primary
4523 97th Ave W
Tacoma, WA 98466
: 
9/
10
Top 20%
Top Rankings

Point Defiance Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)

Sunset Primary ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Overview
Serving 300 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Point Defiance Elementary School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Washington for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55-59% (which is higher than the Washington state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is higher than the Washington state average of 53%).
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the Washington state level of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is lower than the Washington state average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 545 students in grades Prekindergarten-4, Sunset Primary ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Washington for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60-64% (which is higher than the Washington state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is higher than the Washington state average of 53%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Washington state level of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Washington state average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Grades Offered
K-5
PK-4
Total Students
300 students
545 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Point Defiance Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Sunset Primary over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
% Male | % Female
52% | 48%
51% | 49%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Point Defiance Elementary School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Sunset Primary.
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
31 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Point Defiance Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Sunset Primary over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
18:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Point Defiance Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Tacoma School District and the state of Washington, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Sunset Primary with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the University Place School District and the state of Washington, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Test Scores

#438 out of 2088 schools in WA
(Top 30%)
#390 out of 2088 schools in WA
(Top 20%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Point Defiance Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Sunset Primary, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
55-59%
(Top 20% in WA)
60-64%
(Top 20% in WA)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Point Defiance Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Tacoma School District and Washington public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Sunset Primary who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the University Place School District and Washington public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
60-64%
(Top 30% in WA)(21-22 School Year Data)
60-64%
(Top 30% in WA)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Point Defiance Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Tacoma School District and Washington public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Sunset Primary who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the University Place School District and Washington public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
60-69%
(Top 20% in WA)(21-22 School Year Data)
n/a

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Point Defiance Elementary School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Sunset Primary by grade.
Pre-K Students
-
91
Kindergarten Students
37
89
Grade 1 Students
50
77
Grade 2 Students
58
92
Grade 3 Students
42
96
Grade 4 Students
58
100
Grade 5 Students
55
-

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
2%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Point Defiance Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Tacoma School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Sunset Primary, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the University Place School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2011-12 school year.
% Asian
6%
8%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Point Defiance Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Tacoma School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Sunset Primary, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the University Place School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hispanic
10%
20%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Point Defiance Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Tacoma School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Sunset Primary, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the University Place School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Black
4%
7%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Point Defiance Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Tacoma School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Sunset Primary, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the University Place School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% White
66%
46%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Point Defiance Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Tacoma School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Sunset Primary, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the University Place School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Point Defiance Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the Tacoma School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at Sunset Primary, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in the University Place School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
% Two or more races
11%
19%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Point Defiance Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Tacoma School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Sunset Primary, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the University Place School District and in Washington, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
0.54
0.71
This chart showcases the diversity score of Point Defiance Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Tacoma School District and Washington, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Sunset Primary, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the University Place School District and Washington, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
34%
40%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Point Defiance Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Tacoma School District and Washington, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Sunset Primary, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the University Place School District and Washington, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
(22-23 School Year Data)
8%
(22-23 School Year Data)
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Point Defiance Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Tacoma School District and Washington, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Sunset Primary, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the University Place School District and Washington, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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