Average
#1201 of 2,225 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
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
580
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#50 of 83
public schools
Washington high schools
#209 of 476
In district
#38 of 62
Tacoma School District
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Foss High School
Foss High School is a regular public high school located in Tacoma, Washington. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 580 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, Foss provides a relatively personalized learning environment with 37 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Foss High School’s academic performance is rated at 3.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 1902nd out of 2261 schools in Washington state, placing it in the 16th percentile overall. The school's proficiency rates are below average: 40% for ELA/reading, 14% for math, and 28% for science. While Foss High School has room for academic growth, its setting offers a vibrant urban environment with opportunities beyond just academics.
Located in the heart of Tacoma, the school is situated within a mid-size city that provides cultural, recreational, and community resources to support student development.
Score Breakdown
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Foss High School — Students at Foss High School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
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: 3.4/10.
How Foss High School Compares
See how Foss High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 7.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 35% (2024).
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. Oakland High School (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center (rated 6.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dr. Dolores Silas High School (rated 4.1/10, 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 | 8.5 |
| Oakland High School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Franklin Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Whittier Elementary School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma | 1.3 mi | — |
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 | 7.5 |
| Washington Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Downing Elementary School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Mason Middle School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Hilltop Heritage Middle School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Stanley Elementary School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foss High School has a median household income of $80,024. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $443,800, with a median rent of $1,480/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN -JUNIOR HIGH/HIGH SCHOOL Puyallup, WA | 6.2 |
| CASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL Cashmere, WA | 6.3 |
| Sequim Senior High Sequim, WA | 6.3 |
| Medical Lake High School Medical Lake, WA | 6.1 |
| Chelan High School Chelan, WA | 6.0 |
| Elma High School Elma, WA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #1201 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Foss High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Foss High School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Foss High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foss High School has 13.9% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (253) 571-7300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #38 of 62
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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