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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.7%
Math vs. State Avg-7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation24.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,780

Fife High School — Students at Fife High School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 72.1%
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
42%
ELA
83%
2022
ELA
76%
2024
Math
24.5%
ELA
64.7%

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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in WA
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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