Average
#1338 of 2,225 schools in WA
Fife High School
High School · Fife School District
5616 20th St E, Tacoma, WA 98424
Enrollment
864
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
864
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
10th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#56 of 83
public schools
Washington high schools
#242 of 476
In district
#4 of 6
Fife School District
About Fife High School
Fife High School serves 864 students in grades 10-12 in Tacoma's large suburban setting, operating with 40 full-time equivalent teachers for a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1. This regular public school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #400 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among Washington high schools. The school's academic strength is particularly evident in English Language Arts and Reading, where 76% of students across grade levels perform at proficient or above levels.
With an impressive academic score of 9.0 out of 10, Fife High School shows its commitment to helping students achieve educational success during these crucial final years of high school. The school draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $90,317 and median home values are $440,600. The surrounding ZIP code area of 98424 houses 12,026 residents, with 25% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.6%.
Located at 5616 20th Street East, Fife High School sits within Pierce County's well-established suburban landscape, providing educational opportunities in a community-focused environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Fife High School is 21.6:1, 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
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Fife High School — Students at Fife High School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.
How Fife High School Compares
See how Fife High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 24.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 64.7% (2024).
Location
5616 20th St E, Tacoma, WA 98424
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fife High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fife Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fife Open Doors Tacoma | 0.1 mi | — |
| Fife Elementary School Tacoma | 0.2 mi | 8.3 |
| HOLY ROSARY BILINGUAL ACADEMY Fife | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| HOLY ROSARY BILINGUAL ACADEMY Fife | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Columbia Junior High School Tacoma | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Chief Leschi School Puyallup | 1.8 mi | — |
| Illahee Middle School Federal Way | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY Federal Way | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Discovery Primary School Milton | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Surprise Lake Middle School Milton | 2.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 8.3 |
| FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| N.E. Tacoma Elementary School Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Enterprise Elementary School Federal Way | 3.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Lister Elementary School Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Waller Road Elementary Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Sherwood Forest Elementary School Federal Way | 3.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Todd Beamer High School Federal Way | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Northwood Elementary Edgewood | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Karshner Elementary Puyallup | 3.4 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,633
Median Home Value
$497,400
Median Rent
$1,836/mo
Population
11,871
College Educated
27.8%
Homeownership
49.8%
Avg Commute
26.5 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
32.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fife High School has a median household income of $93,633. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $497,400, with a median rent of $1,836/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Evergreen High School Seattle, WA | 5.9 |
| Foster Senior High School Tukwila, WA | 5.9 |
| Chief Sealth International High School Seattle, WA | 6.0 |
| North Kitsap High School Poulsbo, WA | 6.0 |
| Virtual Preparatory Academy of Washington Starbuck, WA | 6.0 |
| Wahluke High School Mattawa, WA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fife High School
What grades does Fife High School serve?
Fife High School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.
How many students attend Fife High School?
Fife High School has an enrollment of approximately 864 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fife High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fife High School is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fife High School rank in WA?
Fife High School is ranked #1338 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Fife High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fife High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Fife High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fife High School has 30.3% math proficiency and 72.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fife High School a charter school?
No, Fife High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fife High School a Title I school?
No, Fife High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fife High School?
48.3% of students at Fife 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (6,715/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 10th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 864
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 517-1100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fife School District- District Enrollment
- 3,916
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,662
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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 methodologyRelated reading
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