Schools in the Tacoma Area (Kent, Olympia: apartments, crime, private schools)

[super64]

I need some help! After researching the various schools, I am still without a clear idea of which district would be most appropriate for my children (not a perfect fit but close is good!).
They will be in 10th and 7th grade and need a school where they will appropriately challenge/offer classes/allow subject acceleration. They are both highly gifted- the younger one is passionate about music and the older math and science. They should have grade skipped but we felt it would be best to leave them with their peers for social reasons. We are not one of those families that is constantly pushing, hiring tutors, etc - the kids are just highly gifted and we try to find a place where they are not alone and the teachers/admin will allow them to learn at their pace. Not all schools are able to handle this type of student, but if there are others like them in the district, we have found that they are more willing to work with them.... with limited time and resources - teach to the middle works. I understand. Can anyone comment?
a 20 minute radius from Tacoma would be fine/ private included.

[AK 47u]

Well, there's always northeast Tacoma which is good on the west side, but on the east side it is closer to apartments and has more crime.

[Ira500]

Within Tacoma, there's a well regarded private school called Annie Wright:
Please wait...
And in Kent, Washington, they are not known for their public schools in general, but they do have a very well regarded gifted program.

[mthomson]

Foss HS in Tacoma has an outstanding accelerated program, but is a huge school with some past crime issues as well. Truman MS in North Tacoma also has a good accelerated program, and is rated highly overall.
The University Place SD (adjacent to Tacoma) is a much more highly rated district overall than Tacoma.
Gig Harbor (just across the bridge from Tacoma) is the #2 rated SD in the state (not sure of the criteria...test scores, class size, and some others I'm sure).
As a former teacher I'll say that I believe any school can accomodate any child...it's a matter of the child's motivation and support at home. True, some schools are more condusive to acceleration than others, but kids from all schools can accel and succeed.

[Prple]

Olympia has excellent schools, but the commute to Tacoma might be too long...probably more like 30 minutes, plus traffic.
Olympia, Washington Schools - Best Public Olympia School Ratings
Annie and Charles Wright are supposed to be good private schools in Tacoma, also Bellerman.

[cs1992]

Originally Posted by mthomson

it's a matter of the child's motivation and support at home.

I just wish the government would realize this and stop acting as if society can solve all the individual's problems. But I guess that is not PC. Too many people place full responsibility on the schools and not the individual...this is a recipe for failure.

As a parent, I know that I am the number one factor (and influence to academic success) in my child's life. To state otherwise is an insult to me and a denial of reality.