Harvard Elementary

Harvard Elementary sits in the southeastern reaches of Tacoma, in a working-class neighborhood where families tend to put down deep roots and value a tight-knit school community. Academics here are a work in progress, with test scores that trail most of the state, so families who prioritize strong classroom performance may want to weigh their options carefully — though the Franklin Pierce district has been making steady efforts to improve outcomes across its schools. For families already planted in this corner of Pierce County, it's a neighborhood school in the truest sense, and the surrounding area offers easy access to outdoor spaces and the broader Tacoma community without the higher costs of living closer to the city center.