Average
#1623 of 2,225 schools in WA
Columbia Junior High School
School · Fife School District
2901 54th Avenue E, Tacoma, WA 98424
Enrollment
602
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
8th – 9th
Enrollment
602
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
8th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#63 of 83
public schools
In district
#5 of 6
Fife School District
About Columbia Junior High School
Columbia Junior High School is a public school located in Tacoma, Washington, serving students in Grades 8 and 9. With an enrollment of 602 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, the school aims to provide individualized attention within its large suburban setting. Columbia Junior High has 29 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
The MySchoolScout rating for Columbia Junior High is 4.0 out of 10, placing it in the 27th percentile among Washington state schools. Academically, students at Columbia Junior High are currently focusing on areas with room for growth; 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 24% and 27% reach proficiency levels in Math and Science, respectively. Columbia Junior High is situated in a bustling suburban area within the larger Tacoma community.
The school's setting offers a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for its students to explore beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Columbia Junior High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Junior High School is 20.8:1, 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
Full Profile · 4/3 metricsView breakdown
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Columbia Junior High School — Students at Columbia Junior High School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
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: 6.1/10.
How Columbia Junior High School Compares
See how Columbia Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 21% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 41.8% (2024).
Location
2901 54th Avenue E, Tacoma, WA 98424
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia Junior High School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Fife Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY ROSARY BILINGUAL ACADEMY Fife | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| HOLY ROSARY BILINGUAL ACADEMY Fife | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Fife High School Tacoma | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Fife Elementary School Tacoma | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Fife Open Doors Tacoma | 0.6 mi | — |
| Chief Leschi School Puyallup | 1.3 mi | — |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Waller Road Elementary Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Lister Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Discovery Primary School Milton | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Surprise Lake Middle School Milton | 2.5 mi | 3.8 |
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY Federal Way | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Illahee Middle School Federal Way | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Karshner Elementary Puyallup | 3.0 mi | 3.6 |
| FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| N.E. Tacoma Elementary School Tacoma | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
| First Creek Middle School Tacoma | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Aylen Jr High Puyallup | 3.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Blix Elementary School Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,633
Median Home Value
$497,400
Median Rent
$1,836/mo
Population
11,871
College Educated
27.8%
Homeownership
49.8%
Avg Commute
26.5 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
32.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia Junior High School has a median household income of $93,633. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $497,400, with a median rent of $1,836/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia Junior High School
What grades does Columbia Junior High School serve?
Columbia Junior High School serves students in grades 8th through 9th.
How many students attend Columbia Junior High School?
Columbia Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 602 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Junior High School is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia Junior High School rank in WA?
Columbia Junior High School is ranked #1623 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Columbia Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Junior High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Columbia Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Junior High School has 24.0% math proficiency and 46.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Columbia Junior High School a charter school?
No, Columbia Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Columbia Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Junior High School?
52.7% of students at Columbia Junior 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
- City Safety
- High (6,715/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 9th
- Enrollment
- 602
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 517-1600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fife School District- District Enrollment
- 3,916
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,662
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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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