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Needs Improvement

#2184 of 2,228 schools in WA

Dr. Dolores Silas High School

High School · Tacoma School District

1202 N Orchard St, Tacoma, WA 98406

Enrollment

1,136

Student-Teacher

23.7:1

Score

3.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,184 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#88 of 88

public schools

In district

#62 of 62

Tacoma School District

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Dr. Dolores Silas High School

3.2/10

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

Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center

8.7/10

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

Downing Elementary School

9.0/10

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

About Dr. Dolores Silas High School

Dr. Dolores Silas High School is a public high school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Dr.

Dolores Silas High School serves approximately 1,136 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Dr. Dolores Silas High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,184 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Dr. Dolores Silas High School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Dr. Dolores Silas High School runs 23.7:1 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.

48% of students at Dr. Dolores Silas 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-2.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.2 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness3.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,679
Chronic Absenteeism47.6%

Dr. Dolores Silas High School — Students at Dr. Dolores Silas High School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 74.2% (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
37%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
91%
2016
Math
34.5%
ELA
90%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
31%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
31%
ELA
61%
2022
ELA
68%
2024
Math
15.6%
ELA
50%

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

How Dr. Dolores Silas High School Compares

See how Dr. Dolores Silas High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
2th percentile in WA
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.8
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
15.8% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·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

1202 N Orchard St, Tacoma, WA 98406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dr. Dolores Silas High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center (rated 8.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Foss High School (rated 5.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma 0.4 mi 8.7
Downing Elementary School Tacoma 0.6 mi 9.0
Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma 0.5 mi 9.2
The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma 0.7 mi
Delong Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.3
Skyline Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 5.9
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 1.0 mi 7.6
Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma 1.0 mi 5.0
Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma 1.0 mi 4.9
Tacoma Online High School Tacoma 1.0 mi
Truman Middle School Tacoma 1.4 mi 5.7
Mason Middle School Tacoma 1.2 mi 7.1
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 1.5 mi 4.5
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 1.2 mi 8.2
Foss High School Tacoma 1.6 mi 5.2
Sherman Elementary School Tacoma 1.6 mi 8.9
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.3
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 1.4 mi 8.4
Franklin Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.5
LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 1.6 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$104,761

Median Home Value

$594,100

Median Rent

$1,677/mo

Population

23,642

College Educated

48.5%

Homeownership

63.7%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

41.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Othello High School Othello, WA 3.2
Heritage High School Vancouver, WA 3.3
Highline High School Burien, WA 3.3
Shadle Park High School Spokane, WA 3.3
Selah High School Selah, WA 3.1
Mark Morris High School Longview, WA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dr. Dolores Silas High School

What grades does Dr. Dolores Silas High School serve?

Dr. Dolores Silas High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Dr. Dolores Silas High School?

Dr. Dolores Silas High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,136 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr. Dolores Silas High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Dolores Silas High School is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dr. Dolores Silas High School rank in WA?

Dr. Dolores Silas High School ranks #2,184 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Dr. Dolores Silas High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dr. Dolores Silas High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Dr. Dolores Silas High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dr. Dolores Silas High School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Dr. Dolores Silas High School a charter school?

No, Dr. Dolores Silas High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dr. Dolores Silas High School a Title I school?

No, Dr. Dolores Silas High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr. Dolores Silas High School?

47.3% of students at Dr. Dolores Silas 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,136
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.6%

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#62 of 62

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