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Needs Improvement

#2177 of 2,228 schools in WA

Acceleration Academy

High School · Bethel School District

16218 Pacific Ave, Spanaway, WA 98387

Enrollment

405

Student-Teacher

50.6:1

Score

3.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,177 of 2,228

In Spanaway

#13 of 15

public schools

In district

#31 of 33

Bethel School District

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Acceleration Academy

3.2/10

High School in Spanaway · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Spanaway Elementary

7.8/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bethel Hope Early Learning Center

4.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Acceleration Academy

Acceleration Academy is a public high school in Spanaway, WA, part of Bethel School District. Acceleration Academy serves approximately 405 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 50.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Acceleration Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,177 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Acceleration Academy show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2016) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2019).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.7
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Acceleration Academy runs 50.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-5.33 pts/yr
Data Period2014–2019
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2016 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2019 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency18% (2019 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2019 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness6.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio50.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,370

Acceleration Academy — Students at Acceleration Academy score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.2% (multi-year average, 2014-2016)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.6% (multi-year average, 2014-2019)
School
State
N/A

Based on 10 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
54.5%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
69.5%
2018
ELA
24.5%
2019
ELA
25%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.5/10.

How Acceleration Academy Compares

See how Acceleration Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
2th percentile in WA
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.2/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
51:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

16218 Pacific Ave, Spanaway, WA 98387

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Acceleration Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gates Secondary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington High School (rated 4.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Spanaway Lake High School (rated 3.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Spanaway, see our Spanaway schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 0.2 mi 7.8
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 0.3 mi 4.0
Spanaway Middle School Tacoma 0.6 mi 6.7
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 0.5 mi 5.1
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 0.5 mi 8.2
Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway 1.0 mi 8.9
IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma 1.0 mi
Challenger High School Spanaway 1.2 mi 2.4
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 1.1 mi 3.7
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 1.6 mi 6.4
Evergreen Elementary Spanaway 1.2 mi 7.1
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 1.9 mi 3.7
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 2.0 mi 6.4
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 2.0 mi 8.6
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway 2.0 mi 4.1
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 2.5 mi 5.6
Early Learning Center Tacoma 2.5 mi 5.1
Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma 2.6 mi 4.0
Washington High School Tacoma 2.6 mi 4.2
Collins Elementary Tacoma 2.6 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,141

Median Home Value

$424,100

Median Rent

$1,837/mo

Population

49,940

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

37.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

34.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hoquiam High School Hoquiam, WA 3.3
Digital Learning Center Moses Lake, WA 3.4
Technology Access Foundation Academy at Saghalie Federal Way, WA 3.5
Cascade High School Leavenworth, WA 3.6
Castle Rock High School Castle Rock, WA 3.7
Edmonds eLearning Academy Lynnwood, WA 2.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Acceleration Academy

What grades does Acceleration Academy serve?

Acceleration Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Acceleration Academy?

Acceleration Academy has an enrollment of approximately 405 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Acceleration Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Acceleration Academy is 50.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Acceleration Academy rank in WA?

Acceleration Academy ranks #2,177 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Acceleration Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Acceleration Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Acceleration Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Acceleration Academy has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2016) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2019).

Is Acceleration Academy a charter school?

No, Acceleration Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Acceleration Academy a Title I school?

No, Acceleration Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Acceleration Academy?

62.5% of students at Acceleration Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
71 Very Walkable
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher Ratio
50.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County

District

Bethel School District
District Enrollment
21,539
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,370
District Rank
#31 of 33

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