Firwood

Firwood is a small public school in Steilacoom, Washington, catering to students from fourth grade through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 30 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Firwood offers personalized attention that larger schools often can't match. The teachers are full-time professionals who focus on the individual needs of each student, fostering a supportive learning environment.

Academically, Firwood is ranked in the lower third among Washington state schools, with only 25% of students meeting proficiency standards in both English Language Arts and Math. While these scores indicate areas for growth, the school's small size allows teachers to tailor their instruction closely to each student’s needs, focusing on development rather than just test performance. Located in a cozy small city setting, Firwood is part of a tight-knit community where students can easily engage with local resources and activities.

The school benefits from its close relationship with Steilacoom's residents and businesses, enriching the educational experience beyond the classroom walls.

With an enrollment of 30 students, Firwood is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Firwood are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Firwood offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.