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Below Average

#1802 of 2,228 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

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,802 of 2,228

In Federal Way

#13 of 29

public schools

In district

#15 of 41

Federal Way School District

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Decatur High School

4.8/10

High School in Federal Way · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Olympic View Elementary School

3.5/10

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

Lakota Middle School

4.6/10

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

About Decatur High School

Decatur High School is a public high school in Federal Way, WA, part of Federal Way School District. Decatur High School serves approximately 1,354 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Decatur High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,802 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Decatur High School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Decatur High School runs 21.2:1 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.

50% of students at Decatur 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.97 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-21.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.7 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation36.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,898
Chronic Absenteeism50.4%

Decatur High School — Students at Decatur High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 63.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
41%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
81%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
59%
2022
ELA
56%
2024
Math
10.1%
ELA
38.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.

How Decatur High School Compares

See how Decatur High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
19th percentile in WA
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
22
10 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
36.6% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
10 boys'·12 girls'·34 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 5.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Technology Access Foundation Academy at Saghalie (rated 3.5/10, 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 mi
School Distance Rating
Olympic View Elementary School Federal Way 0.5 mi 3.5
Lakota Middle School Federal Way 0.7 mi 4.6
Employment Transition Program Federal Way 1.0 mi 5.9
Adelaide Elementary School Federal Way 1.0 mi 3.6
Silver Lake Elementary School Federal Way 0.9 mi 4.0
Brigadoon Elementary School Federal Way 1.3 mi 5.2
Twin Lakes Elementary School Federal Way 1.0 mi 6.2
Technology Access Foundation Academy at Saghalie Federal Way 1.5 mi 3.5
Green Gables Elementary School Federal Way 1.3 mi 5.8
Sherwood Forest Elementary School Federal Way 1.9 mi 4.8
Lake Grove Elementary School Federal Way 1.5 mi 4.7
FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 2.4 mi 7.8
N.E. Tacoma Elementary School Tacoma 2.4 mi 7.7
Crescent Heights Elementary School Tacoma 2.2 mi 7.6
Enterprise Elementary School Federal Way 2.4 mi 3.7
Meeker Middle School Tacoma 2.2 mi 6.1
ST LUKES SCHOOL Federal Way 1.9 mi 5.1
Panther Lake Elementary School Federal Way 2.3 mi 3.1
Mirror Lake Elementary School Federal Way 2.0 mi 3.2
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Federal Way 2.1 mi 6.5

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Valley High School Yakima, WA 4.8
Evergreen High School Vancouver, WA 4.8
Thomas Jefferson High School Auburn, WA 4.8
Battle Ground High School Battle Ground, WA 4.7
Ephrata High School Ephrata, WA 4.7
Oak Harbor High School Oak Harbor, WA 4.7

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 ranks #1,802 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Decatur High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Decatur High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Decatur High School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.4%

District

Federal Way School District
District Enrollment
21,818
Schools in District
46
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,898
District Rank
#15 of 41

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