Schools & Learning

Cost per student/chaperone: $11 each

To qualify for the discounted school group rate, you must bring at least 12 paying students.

One teacher will be admitted for free for every classroom attending the field trip.

One adult chaperone is required for every 5 students (pre-K-12).

Admission prices do not include the $5 (per group) processing fee.

Fee Guidelines

To receive this discounted school group field trip rate, tickets must be reserved and purchased at least 15 days in advance. Once reservation is complete, full payment is due 2 weeks in advance of your visit date and your tickets will be mailed out to you. If needed, you may purchase additional tickets at the front gate the day of your trip for the same rate you paid. Unused tickets are valid for 1 year from purchase date. Please note that all sales are final; there are no refunds for tickets.

Discounted rates apply only to accredited public and private schools (Pre-K and up). For all other groups, the general group admission rate applies. (Zoo memberships are not accepted for any child visiting the zoo on a scheduled school field trip.)

If you have not received your group’s tickets by mail at least one week in advance of your scheduled trip date, please email reserve@pdza.org to confirm that your registration and full payment was received and processed.

Scholarship forms

Download Tacoma K-5 and Head Start ECEAP scholarship applications here.

Booked your trip? Here’s your pre-trip checklist!

• Show your students the “Zoo Preview” PowerPoint Presentation. This virtual tour will help prepare your students for learning when they arrive.
• Find field trip guides, chaperone sheets and more on the Teacher Resources page.
• Review the Behavior Expectations with your students.
• Read important Field trip tips.
• Have your students visit the Animals pages before your visit.
• Check out the daily schedule of Animal Encounters (also printed on the back of each student’s map).
• Download the Zoo map
• Plan a free teacher planning visit for yourself. Just bring your confirmation letter and a valid teacher identification card to the front gate to get your free admission ticket.

Looking for extra learning?

Visit our Teacher Resources page to:

• See what’s new at the Zoo
• Learn about conservation and the environment