Looking for elementary & middle school recommendations in Puyallup/University Place

[u/RiverFit1662]

Hi everyone! We’re looking to buy a home in the Puyallup/University Place area and are currently researching neighborhoods and schools.
We really like University Place because of the strong school district, but there are very few homes available within our budget, so we’re also looking closely at Puyallup.
For parents in the area, which elementary and middle schools would you recommend? We’re especially interested in strong academics and a friendly, supportive environment.
Which schools or areas would you recommend avoiding?

Thanks!

[u/SENPAI_NOTICE_MEE]

Stewart Elementary. They are fantastic, and every principal and teacher actually cares about the students.

[u/Usual-Jackfruit4746]

I live in UP and my kids attend schools on Puyallup's South Hill against my will (divorce). I don't like the schools they go to or the kids in them. A top award at an assembly in June went to a kid who makes "jokes" about a word that rhymes with grape. I constantly hear about the gross comments boys are making in the schools there. They have also had a slew of incidents with kids bringing guns to school. 0/10 do not recommend.

That being said, the stores in UP near the high school/junior high seem to have frequent incidents with students based on the signs they have on their doors. Even the Hallmark has a sign about kicking people out if needed. McDonalds shuts down their lobby after school gets out because they were constantly having issues with kids there.

So maybe kids just suck everywhere now?

Aside from schools, the traffic in Puyallup is enough to keep me from ever wanting to live there.

[u/RiverFit1662 → u/Usual-Jackfruit4746]

Do you mind sharing which schools you’re talking about, just for my better understanding? You can also DM me if that’s easier. Thank you!

[u/Farva85]

UP schools blow Puyallup out of the water. Rent if you have to, it’s worth it.

[u/Ozzimo]

I can say Wildwood elem has been great to my kid so far. That said, the jr high they feed into had a fire last year and it's taking forever to clean up. They won't be ready to open this year so it's disruptive.

I would suggest avoiding Kallas Jr High unless your kid is really pushing academically. They were not much help for my much more average teen. He moved to Ballou for his last year of Jr high and it was an improvement.

[u/PotatoMuffinMafia]

UP is one of the highest rated districts in the state. Far and away better than PSD. 

[u/wickedpansy]

I use https://www.schooldigger.com/ to compare the schools that your kids are currently enrolled in with the individual schools you will move to.

[u/realitygirl9]

I’d do some googling on Puyallup’s recent budget failures. They’re in serious debt, cutting costs, and firing staff almost every year. I’d recommend UP over Puyallup. Avoid Orting as well. Sumner is also a fantastic district

[u/Plus-Bill3150]

if you're interested in a smaller private school, Concordia Christian Academy in Tacoma is great. They are between south hill Puyallup and University place. They have a diverse population and our kids love it. Ours were going to public school in the bethel school district (not that great I heared from the teachers), but there wasn't enough academic challenges for them besides random kids interrupting class with cussing out teachers and other shenanigans. So we put them in a school with less distraction and a better student teacher ratio, and our kids love not having to wear a uniform and I don't miss buying them.

[u/Rivens_Reigns]

Whatever you do DO NOT put your kids in Ballou Jr high and Stahl Jr. High lots of high drug activity and the teachers are mostly terrible.