Average
#1080 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 48% in state
Fife High School
High School · Fife School District
5616 20th St E, Tacoma, WA 98424
Enrollment
864
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
864
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
6.4
Grades
10th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,080 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#35 of 88
public schools
In district
#4 of 6
Fife School District
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Fife High School
High School in Tacoma · grades 10th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Fife Open Doors
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fife Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Fife High School
Fife High School is a public high school in Tacoma, WA, part of Fife School District. Fife High School serves approximately 864 students, and covers grades 10th-12th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Fife High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,080 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Fife High School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- WA avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
Fife High School runs 21.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
33% of students at Fife High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView 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 29 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: 5.1/10.
How Fife High School Compares
See how Fife High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Discovery Primary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Milton), 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 | 8.1 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| Chief Leschi School Puyallup | 1.8 mi | — |
| Illahee Middle School Federal Way | 2.8 mi | 3.4 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| N.E. Tacoma Elementary School Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Enterprise Elementary School Federal Way | 3.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Lister Elementary School Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Waller Road Elementary Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Sherwood Forest Elementary School Federal Way | 3.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Todd Beamer High School Federal Way | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Northwood Elementary Edgewood | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Karshner Elementary Puyallup | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LAKESIDE SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 6.5 |
| Sehome High School Bellingham, WA | 6.5 |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham, WA | 6.6 |
| HOLY NAMES ACADEMY Seattle, WA | 6.6 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien, WA | 6.6 |
| Washougal High School Washougal, WA | 6.6 |
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 ranks #1,080 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Fife High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fife High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Fife High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Fife High School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.6%
- Phone
- (253) 517-1100
Resources & Links
District
Fife School District- District Enrollment
- 3,916
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,662
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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