Living in the City of Tacoma does not automatically put a child in Tacoma Public Schools. Some city addresses sit in another district. Some TPS addresses sit outside the city line. Use the locator, not the water bill. Last checked August 29, 2026. The district PDF wins every argument.
Who to call
District switchboard: (253) 571-1000
Enrollment Services: (253) 571-1142 · enrollmentservices@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Central Administration (temporary): 3702 E. McKinley Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404
Site: tacomaschools.org
Enrollment help: Enrollment Help
ParentVUE: ParentVUE
Find the neighborhood school
Official locator map: TPS School Locator. Type the home address. It returns elementary, middle, and high school. Screenshot it for Copilot or a move packet.
Enroll or change schools
New to TPS: create a ParentVUE account at tacomaschools.org/enroll, then start registration. Returning families need an activation code from Enrollment Services or the school office.
Choice (a TPS school that is not the neighborhood school) for 2027–28: application in ParentVUE October 26, 2026 – January 15, 2027, including SAMI / SOTA / IDEA. School transfer window for that year opens June 1, 2027. Capacity decides. Families provide their own transportation. Student must live inside the TPS boundary.
2026–27 dates families search
Posted by TPS. Confirm on the current district calendar PDF before you buy flights.
- First day, grades 1–12: September 9, 2026
- First day, kindergarten / transition to K: September 14, 2026
- Winter break: December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027
- Spring break: April 5–9, 2027
- Last day: June 23, 2027
Individual schools add early-release and conference days. ParentVUE and the school office are the last word for that building.
City services: Tacoma Civic Desk. JBLM families: JBLM guide.