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Very Good

#658 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 30% in state

Curtis Senior High

High School · University Place School District

8425 40TH W, University Place, WA 98466

Enrollment

1,303

Student-Teacher

24.6:1

Score

7.4

Grades

10th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#658 of 2,228

In University Place

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

University Place School District

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Curtis Senior High

7.4/10

High School in University Place · grades 10th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Curtis Junior High

7.0/10

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

Narrows View Intermediate

8.6/10

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

About Curtis Senior High

Curtis Senior High is a public high school in University Place, WA, part of University Place School District. Curtis Senior High serves approximately 1,303 students, and covers grades 10th-12th, and has a 24.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Curtis Senior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #658 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Curtis Senior High show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.6 pts above WA schools
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Curtis Senior High runs 24.6:1 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.

30% of students at Curtis Senior High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.2% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+19.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College Readiness9.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation24.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,994
Chronic Absenteeism30.1%

Curtis Senior High — Students at Curtis Senior High score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 83.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 30 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
89%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
82%
2024
Math
51.2%
ELA
84%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.

How Curtis Senior High Compares

See how Curtis Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in WA
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
25
12 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
24.1% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
12 boys'·13 girls'·53 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

8425 40TH W, University Place, WA 98466

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Curtis Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. University Place Primary (rated 9.3/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby University Pla), which scores notably higher. Another option is Narrows View Intermediate (rated 8.6/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby University Pla), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Geiger Montessori School (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in University Place, see our University Place schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Curtis Junior High University Place 0.2 mi 7.0
Narrows View Intermediate University Pla 0.5 mi 8.6
University Place Primary University Pla 0.9 mi 9.3
Drum Intermediate University Pla 0.8 mi 8.2
Sunset Primary University Place 0.8 mi 7.9
Chambers Elementary University Pla 1.0 mi 7.7
Evergreen Primary University Place 0.8 mi 7.5
CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY Tacoma 1.3 mi 7.7
MONTESSORI IN MOTION University Place 1.2 mi
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place 1.4 mi 6.0
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 2.0 mi 5.3
Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood 2.5 mi 5.9
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 2.4 mi 8.4
Whittier Elementary School Tacoma 1.8 mi 5.8
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 2.0 mi 4.5
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood 2.6 mi 2.9
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 2.5 mi 7.6
Firwood Steilacoom 2.8 mi 7.1
Transition Day Students Lakewood 2.8 mi
Custer Elementary School Lakewood 2.9 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98466 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,598

Median Home Value

$564,400

Median Rent

$1,724/mo

Population

30,622

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

53%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

38.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Mead Senior High School Spokane, WA 7.4
Bothell High School Bothell, WA 7.5
Pullman High School Pullman, WA 7.5
Garfield High School Seattle, WA 7.6
Juanita High School Kirkland, WA 7.6
Shorewood High School Shoreline, WA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Curtis Senior High

What grades does Curtis Senior High serve?

Curtis Senior High serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Curtis Senior High?

Curtis Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,303 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Curtis Senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Curtis Senior High is 24.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Curtis Senior High rank in WA?

Curtis Senior High ranks #658 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Curtis Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Curtis Senior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Curtis Senior High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Curtis Senior High has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Curtis Senior High a charter school?

No, Curtis Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Curtis Senior High a Title I school?

No, Curtis Senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Curtis Senior High?

38.6% of students at Curtis Senior High 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
1,303
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.1%

District

University Place School District
District Enrollment
5,606
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,994
District Rank
#7 of 8

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