Average
#1543 of 2,228 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
5.4
Grades
8th – 9th
Enrollment
602
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
5.4
Grades
8th – 9th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,543 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#58 of 88
public schools
In district
#5 of 6
Fife School District
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Columbia Junior High School
School in Tacoma · grades 8th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fife High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Columbia Junior High School
Columbia Junior High School is a public school in Tacoma, WA, part of Fife School District. Columbia Junior High School serves approximately 602 students, and covers grades 8th-9th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,543 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Columbia Junior High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 6.7
- WA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Columbia Junior High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Columbia Junior High School runs 20.8:1 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.
32% of students at Columbia Junior High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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: 44%).
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 30 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: 6.0/10.
How Columbia Junior High School Compares
See how Columbia Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Discovery Primary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Milton), 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 | 6.4 |
| Fife Elementary School Tacoma | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Fife Open Doors Tacoma | 0.6 mi | — |
| Chief Leschi School Puyallup | 1.3 mi | — |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Waller Road Elementary Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Lister Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Discovery Primary School Milton | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Surprise Lake Middle School Milton | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY Federal Way | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Illahee Middle School Federal Way | 3.3 mi | 3.4 |
| EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Karshner Elementary Puyallup | 3.0 mi | 5.1 |
| FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| N.E. Tacoma Elementary School Tacoma | 3.6 mi | 7.7 |
| First Creek Middle School Tacoma | 2.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Aylen Jr High Puyallup | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Blix Elementary School Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
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
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 ranks #1,543 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Columbia Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Columbia Junior High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Junior High School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.9%
- Phone
- (253) 517-1600
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
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