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Below Average

#2030 of 2,225 schools in WA

Federal Way High School

High School · Federal Way School District

30611 16TH AV S, Federal Way, WA 98003

Enrollment

1,645

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Federal Way

#18 of 20

public schools

Washington high schools

#417 of 476

In district

#37 of 41

Federal Way School District

About Federal Way High School

Federal Way High School serves 1,645 students in grades 9-12 in Federal Way, Washington, operating as a regular public school in King County. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1, providing a substantial learning environment for its sizable student body. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #888 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 61st percentile among Washington high schools.

Academically, Federal Way High School earns a 7.1 out of 10 academic score, with 62% of students achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. These metrics indicate solid academic performance with opportunities for continued growth. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $67,547 and the median home value reaches $403,200.

Within the 98003 ZIP code area, 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 14.7% among the 51,329 residents. Federal Way High School is situated in a large suburban setting, serving families in this established King County community that balances accessibility with suburban amenities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Federal Way High School is 20.6:1, 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 Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.6%
Math vs. State Avg-19.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness3.2Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,122

Federal Way High School — Students at Federal Way High School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.1%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 53.3%
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
22%
ELA
62%
2022
ELA
62%
2024
Math
11.7%
ELA
44.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.1/10.

How Federal Way High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in WA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers

Location

30611 16TH AV S, Federal Way, WA 98003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Federal Way High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Career Academy at Truman High School (rated 6.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Open Doors Youth Reengagement (1418) (rated 5.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Federal Way, see our Federal Way schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Sacajawea Middle School Federal Way 0.5 mi 6.2
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Federal Way 0.5 mi 6.6
Mirror Lake Elementary School Federal Way 0.7 mi 3.8
Wildwood Elementary School Federal Way 0.7 mi 8.3
ST LUKES SCHOOL Federal Way 0.7 mi 5.1
HOLY INNOCENTS SCHOOL OF THE NORTHWEST Federal Way 0.9 mi
Open Doors Youth Reengagement (1418) Federal Way 0.9 mi 5.1
Internet Academy Federal Way 0.9 mi 4.0
Career Academy at Truman High School Federal Way 0.9 mi 6.7
Nautilus K-8 School Federal Way 1.1 mi 6.5
Lake Grove Elementary School Federal Way 1.1 mi 5.9
Support School Federal Way 1.6 mi 5.0
Federal Way Running Start Home School Federal Way 1.6 mi
Federal Way Public School ECEAP Federal Way 1.6 mi 6.2
Gateway to College Federal Way 1.6 mi
Camelot Elementary School Auburn 1.5 mi 7.3
Mark Twain Elementary School Federal Way 2.1 mi 6.5
Lake Dolloff Elementary School Auburn 1.6 mi 5.4
Kilo Middle School Auburn 1.7 mi 5.1
Woodmont K-8 School Des Moines 2.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,800

Median Home Value

$428,500

Median Rent

$1,650/mo

Population

52,210

College Educated

27.7%

Homeownership

47.6%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Federal Way High School has a median household income of $70,800. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $428,500, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Cheney High School Cheney, WA 4.2
Marysville Pilchuck High School Marysville, WA 4.2
Ridgeline High School Liberty Lake, WA 4.2
River Ridge High School Lacey, WA 4.2
Sedro Woolley Senior High School Sedro-Woolley, WA 4.2
Battle Ground High School Battle Ground, WA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Federal Way High School

What grades does Federal Way High School serve?

Federal Way High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Federal Way High School?

Federal Way High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,645 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Federal Way High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Federal Way High School is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Federal Way High School rank in WA?

Federal Way High School is ranked #2030 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Federal Way High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Federal Way High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Federal Way High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Federal Way High School has 15.1% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Federal Way High School a charter school?

No, Federal Way High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Federal Way High School a Title I school?

No, Federal Way High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Federal Way High School?

73.3% of students at Federal Way 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
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,943/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,645
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
80
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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