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Below Average

#2077 of 2,225 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

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#81 of 83

public schools

Washington high schools

#438 of 476

In district

#60 of 62

Tacoma School District

About Dr. Dolores Silas High School

Dr. Dolores Silas High School serves 1,136 students in grades 9-12 in Tacoma, Washington, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 23.7:1 and 48 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #781 out of 2,261 high schools statewide, placing it in the 66th percentile among Washington schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10.

Academically, the school demonstrates solid performance with an academic score of 7.9 out of 10, and 68% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. This regular public high school provides a comprehensive educational experience for students in this mid-size city setting. The school is located in the 98406 ZIP code area, a well-established neighborhood where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The community reflects stability with a median household income of $96,755 and median home values of $516,600, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 6.5%. This educational and economic foundation creates a supportive environment for the school's diverse student body. Dr.

Dolores Silas High School sits on North Orchard Street in Pierce County, serving families in a community that values education and provides a stable foundation for student success.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Dolores Silas High School is 23.7:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Math vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.2 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,575

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 20.7%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 57.3%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
31%
ELA
61%
2022
ELA
68%
2024
Math
15.6%
ELA
50%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.

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
4.1/10
7th percentile in WA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

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 6.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Foss High School (rated 6.2/10, 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 6.7
Downing Elementary School Tacoma 0.6 mi 9.1
Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma 0.5 mi 8.4
The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma 0.7 mi
Delong Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 8.5
Skyline Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 4.5
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 1.0 mi 7.6
Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma 1.0 mi 4.9
Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma 1.0 mi 4.5
Tacoma Online High School Tacoma 1.0 mi
Truman Middle School Tacoma 1.4 mi 6.1
Mason Middle School Tacoma 1.2 mi 5.6
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.5
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 1.2 mi 8.7
Foss High School Tacoma 1.6 mi 6.2
Sherman Elementary School Tacoma 1.6 mi 7.5
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.4
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 1.4 mi 7.9
Franklin Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 6.2
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dr. Dolores Silas High School has a median household income of $104,761. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $594,100, with a median rent of $1,677/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Marysville Getchell High School Marysville, WA 4.1
Kentlake High School Kent, WA 4.0
Olympic High School Bremerton, WA 4.0
Shelton High School Shelton, WA 4.0
A G West Black Hills High School Tumwater, WA 4.2
Cheney High School Cheney, WA 4.2

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 is ranked #2077 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

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

Dr. Dolores Silas High School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Dr. Dolores Silas High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dr. Dolores Silas High School has 20.7% math proficiency and 57.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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