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Very Good

#546 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 25% in state

Federal Way Public Academy

Middle School · Federal Way School District

34620 9TH AV S, Federal Way, WA 98003

Enrollment

303

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 10th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Federal Way

#3 of 20

public schools

Washington middle schools

#30 of 374

In district

#4 of 41

Federal Way School District

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Federal Way Public Academy

Federal Way Public Academy serves 303 students in grades 6 through 10 as a regular public middle school in Federal Way, Washington. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.3:1, providing a structured learning environment for its students. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #353 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile among Washington schools.

This impressive ranking is supported by the school's academic score of 9.4 out of 10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 80% of students across all grade levels achieve proficiency or above, indicating solid foundational skills in literacy. Federal Way Public Academy draws students from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $67,547 and the median home value reaches $403,200.

The surrounding neighborhood has a college education rate of 28% among residents with bachelor's degrees or higher, while 14.7% of families experience poverty, reflecting the varied socioeconomic backgrounds of students. The school is situated in Federal Way's large suburban setting within King County, serving a community of over 51,000 residents who value educational opportunities for their children.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Federal Way Public Academy is 23.3:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.3%
Math vs. State Avg+22.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.8 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+22.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,122

Federal Way Public Academy — Students at Federal Way Public Academy score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.1%
School
State
36.6%
ELA Proficiency 81.6%
School
State
51.4%

Based on 15 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2022
ELA
80%
2024
Math
61.1%
ELA
81.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How Federal Way Public Academy Compares

See how Federal Way Public Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in WA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

34620 9TH AV S, Federal Way, WA 98003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Federal Way Public Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sherwood Forest Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Panther Lake Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Federal Way, see our Federal Way schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Panther Lake Elementary School Federal Way 0.6 mi 6.8
Support School Federal Way 0.9 mi 5.0
Federal Way Running Start Home School Federal Way 0.9 mi
Federal Way Public School ECEAP Federal Way 0.9 mi 6.2
Gateway to College Federal Way 0.9 mi
Todd Beamer High School Federal Way 1.0 mi 6.5
MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY Federal Way 1.2 mi 6.8
Enterprise Elementary School Federal Way 0.9 mi 4.7
Illahee Middle School Federal Way 1.2 mi 5.6
Sherwood Forest Elementary School Federal Way 1.3 mi 7.2
Mirror Lake Elementary School Federal Way 2.0 mi 3.8
Lakeland Elementary School Auburn 1.5 mi 6.3
ST LUKES SCHOOL Federal Way 2.1 mi 5.1
Technology Access Foundation Academy at Saghalie Federal Way 1.6 mi 3.8
Rainier View Elementary School Federal Way 1.9 mi 3.8
Silver Lake Elementary School Federal Way 1.9 mi 4.4
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Federal Way 2.5 mi 6.6
Open Doors Youth Reengagement (1418) Federal Way 2.2 mi 5.1
Internet Academy Federal Way 2.2 mi 4.0
Career Academy at Truman High School Federal Way 2.2 mi 6.7

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 Public Academy 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
Sultan Middle School Sultan, WA 7.5
HAMLIN ROBINSON SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.6
Medical Lake Middle School Medical Lake, WA 7.4
Royal Intermediate School Royal City, WA 7.6
Garry Middle School Spokane, WA 7.8
Onalaska Middle School Onalaska, WA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Federal Way Public Academy

What grades does Federal Way Public Academy serve?

Federal Way Public Academy serves students in grades 6th through 10th.

How many students attend Federal Way Public Academy?

Federal Way Public Academy has an enrollment of approximately 303 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Federal Way Public Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Federal Way Public Academy is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Federal Way Public Academy rank in WA?

Federal Way Public Academy is ranked #546 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Federal Way Public Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Federal Way Public Academy has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Public Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Federal Way Public Academy has 62.1% math proficiency and 81.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Federal Way Public Academy a charter school?

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

Is Federal Way Public Academy a Title I school?

No, Federal Way Public Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Federal Way Public Academy?

44.6% of students at Federal Way Public Academy 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
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat 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
6th – 10th
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.6%
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
#4 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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