Average
#1719 of 2,225 schools in WA
Bethel High School
High School · Bethel School District
22215 38th Ave E, Spanaway, WA 98387
Enrollment
1,651
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,651
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spanaway
#9 of 14
public schools
Washington high schools
#334 of 476
In district
#21 of 33
Bethel School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Bethel High School
Bethel High School serves 1,651 students in grades 9-12 in the suburban community of Spanaway, Washington. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1, providing a substantial learning environment for its sizable student body. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #879 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 61st percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and Reading, with 62% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. The school's academic score of 7.1 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. Bethel High School is situated in Pierce County's 98387 ZIP code area, a community of over 51,000 residents with a median household income of $94,340 and median home values around $373,400.
The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9%, creating a stable environment for students and families. With 16% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves a diverse community where students can build strong foundations for their future educational and career pursuits in this thriving large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Bethel High School is 20.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Bethel High School — Students at Bethel High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.
How Bethel High School Compares
See how Bethel High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 20.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 62.3% (2024).
Location
22215 38th Ave E, Spanaway, WA 98387
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bethel High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Spanaway Lake High School (rated 5.8/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pierce County Skills Center (rated 3.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Puyallup), a more accessible option. For more schools in Spanaway, see our Spanaway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bethel Middle School Spanaway | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Shining Mountain Elementary Spanaway | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Centennial Elementary Graham | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma | 3.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| North Star Elementary Graham | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway | 2.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Liberty Middle School Spanaway | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway | 2.5 mi | 2.6 |
| Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma | 3.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 3.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup | 3.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup | 4.0 mi | — |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 3.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 4.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway | 3.7 mi | 9.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bethel High School has a median household income of $101,141. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $424,100, with a median rent of $1,837/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Edmonds Woodway High School Edmonds, WA | 5.1 |
| Moses Lake High School Moses Lake, WA | 5.1 |
| Peninsula High School Gig Harbor, WA | 5.1 |
| Eastmont Senior High East Wenatchee, WA | 5.0 |
| White River High School Buckley, WA | 5.0 |
| Centralia High School Centralia, WA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bethel High School
What grades does Bethel High School serve?
Bethel High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Bethel High School?
Bethel High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,651 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethel High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bethel High School is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bethel High School rank in WA?
Bethel High School is ranked #1719 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Bethel High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethel High School has a composite rating of 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bethel High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethel High School has 24.9% math proficiency and 61.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bethel High School a charter school?
No, Bethel High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bethel High School a Title I school?
No, Bethel High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethel High School?
49.8% of students at Bethel High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,651
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 800-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #21 of 33
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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