8612 9th Ave E
Tacoma, WA 98445

School district policy 3211 allows teachers to refer to all students with “they them their” pronouns, regardless if the student is LGBTQIA+ and specifically does not want to be addressed by those pronouns. Teachers abuse this policy, referring to students as they them their routinely, and school leadership allows this practice. This sets the tone for a horrible, confrontational academic environment. There are many problems at this school and the school does not do well to address those problems.

Our eldest entered this school at grade 2, and our youngest attended Harvard from Kindergarten through 5th grade, through COVID lockdown and the restructuring of public school education in America. We got to know several staff members over the years, and we love Mr. Elery, the principal. Most of our kids' teachers aren't at this school anymore, but the Harvard culture is fiercely devoted to bolstering its community.In this neighborhood, all minors of school age get free breakfast and lunch not only during school, but during vacation as well. During lockdown, the staff set up multiple meal pick up locations.It is now 2021 and this is the first time students will attend a full year inside the new school building. The old one was demolished and the new one opened during lockdown for hybrid learning. My youngest kid graduated 5th grade during the pandemic and we went to the drive-through graduation to wave goodbye to staff.Both of our kids are neurodiverse, and the counselor, Ms. Colling, is a lifesaver.Music was a favorite of both kids as well, and were bummed we couldn't see a performance in the new building with the equipment they deserve.The computer lab is in the library, where our youngest got involved with LEGO Mindstorm robotics. Their team won an award at competition!We moved to Midland in 2014 and I remember reading reviews on here and being a little nervous. The entire time we've been here, that's been on my mind.

I do like and dislike the school only because they do let parents engage and their things. But I’m concerned why they don’t have microwaves for students who don’t want the school lunch and they should have juice and bottle of water options instead of milk at lunch