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Average

#1652 of 2,228 schools in WA

Foss High School

High School · Tacoma School District

2112 S Tyler St, Tacoma, WA 98405

Enrollment

580

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,652 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#62 of 88

public schools

In district

#45 of 62

Tacoma School District

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Foss High School

5.2/10

High School in Tacoma · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Delong Elementary School

6.3/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oakland High School

5.8/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Foss High School

Foss High School is a public high school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Foss High School serves approximately 580 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Foss High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,652 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Foss High School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

70% of students at Foss 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 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.3% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-24.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness9.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation34.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,679
Chronic Absenteeism69.7%

Foss High School — Students at Foss High School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 55.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
29%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
ELA
37%
2024
Math
7.3%
ELA
35%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Foss High School Compares

See how Foss High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
26th percentile in WA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.8
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
69.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered IB Programme
34.3% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·241 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2112 S Tyler St, Tacoma, WA 98405

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Foss High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center (rated 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakland High School (rated 5.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dr. Dolores Silas High School (rated 3.2/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Delong Elementary School Tacoma 0.7 mi 6.3
Oakland High School Tacoma 0.8 mi 5.8
LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 0.8 mi 6.9
Franklin Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 5.5
Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 9.2
Whittier Elementary School Tacoma 1.2 mi 5.8
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 1.1 mi 4.5
Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma 1.4 mi 8.7
The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma 1.3 mi
Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma 1.6 mi 3.2
Insight School of WA Open Doors Program Tacoma 1.4 mi
Madison Headstart Tacoma 1.7 mi
TACOMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.7
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 1.6 mi 7.6
Grant Elementary School Tacoma 1.8 mi 8.3
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 2.2 mi 8.2
Downing Elementary School Tacoma 2.2 mi 9.0
Mason Middle School Tacoma 2.3 mi 7.1
Hilltop Heritage Middle School Tacoma 1.8 mi 5.9
Stanley Elementary School Tacoma 1.7 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,024

Median Home Value

$443,800

Median Rent

$1,480/mo

Population

25,306

College Educated

31.2%

Homeownership

51.7%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adna Middle/High School Adna, WA 5.2
Montesano Jr-Sr High Montesano, WA 5.2
Tacoma School of the Arts Tacoma, WA 5.2
Meridian High School Bellingham, WA 5.3
Charles Francis Adams High School Clarkston, WA 5.1
Colville Senior High School Colville, WA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Foss High School

What grades does Foss High School serve?

Foss High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Foss High School?

Foss High School has an enrollment of approximately 580 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Foss High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Foss High School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Foss High School rank in WA?

Foss High School ranks #1,652 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Foss High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Foss High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Foss High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Foss High School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Foss High School a charter school?

No, Foss High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Foss High School a Title I school?

No, Foss High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foss High School?

77.6% of students at Foss 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

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
580
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
69.7%

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#45 of 62

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