Average
#1572 of 2,225 schools in WA
Decatur High School
High School · Federal Way School District
2800 SW 320TH ST, Federal Way, WA 98023
Enrollment
1,354
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,354
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Federal Way
#13 of 20
public schools
Washington high schools
#305 of 476
In district
#21 of 41
Federal Way School District
About Decatur High School
Decatur High School serves 1,354 students in grades 9-12 in Federal Way, Washington, with a student-teacher ratio of 21.2:1 supported by 64 full-time equivalent teachers. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks in the 52nd percentile among Washington high schools at #1,095 out of 2,261 schools statewide. Academically, the school shows room for growth with an academic score of 6.3 out of 10, though 56% of students demonstrate proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.
The school operates as a regular public high school in a community where families have established strong economic foundations. The surrounding 98023 ZIP code area has a median household income of $98,057 and median home values of $479,100, with a poverty rate of just 8.1% among the 50,778 residents. About one-third of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a moderately educated community base that values educational advancement.
Decatur High School is situated in Federal Way's large suburban setting in King County, providing students with the resources and opportunities that come with suburban community life while maintaining accessibility to the broader Seattle metropolitan area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Decatur High School is 21.2:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Decatur High School — Students at Decatur High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64%
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: 4.1/10.
How Decatur High School Compares
See how Decatur High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 10.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 38.5% (2024).
Location
2800 SW 320TH ST, Federal Way, WA 98023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Decatur High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Employment Transition Program (rated 6.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Technology Access Foundation Academy at Saghalie (rated 3.8/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Federal Way, see our Federal Way schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,960
Median Home Value
$545,600
Median Rent
$1,875/mo
Population
49,593
College Educated
34.1%
Homeownership
66.4%
Avg Commute
33.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Decatur High School has a median household income of $101,960. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $545,600, with a median rent of $1,875/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Oak Harbor High School Oak Harbor, WA | 5.4 |
| West Valley High School Spokane, WA | 5.4 |
| Sehome High School Bellingham, WA | 5.5 |
| Burlington Edison High School Burlington, WA | 5.3 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School Auburn, WA | 5.3 |
| Auburn Mountainview High School Auburn, WA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Decatur High School
What grades does Decatur High School serve?
Decatur High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Decatur High School?
Decatur High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,354 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Decatur High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Decatur High School is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Decatur High School rank in WA?
Decatur High School is ranked #1572 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Decatur High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Decatur High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Decatur High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Decatur High School has 14.4% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Decatur High School a charter school?
No, Decatur High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Decatur High School a Title I school?
No, Decatur High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Decatur High School?
64.0% of students at Decatur 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
- Walk Score
- 22 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 33 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 38 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,943/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Federal Way). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,354
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 64
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (253) 945-5200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Federal Way School District- District Enrollment
- 21,818
- Schools in District
- 46
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,898
- District Rank
- #21 of 41
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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