Average
#1359 of 2,225 schools in WA
Foster Senior High School
High School · Tukwila School District
4242 S 144th St, Tukwila, WA 98168
Enrollment
893
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
893
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tukwila
#4 of 5
public schools
Washington high schools
#248 of 476
In district
#2 of 5
Tukwila School District
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Foster Senior High School
Foster Senior High School serves 893 students in grades 9-12 in Tukwila, Washington, operating as a regular public high school with 40 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1123 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 50th percentile statewide. Academically, Foster Senior High School shows room for growth with an academic score of 6.5 out of 10.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 57% of students across all grade levels demonstrate proficiency or above, indicating the school is working to strengthen student literacy skills and academic achievement. The school is situated on S 144th Street in a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $77,935 and median home values reach $472,700. The surrounding 98168 ZIP code area is home to 35,050 residents, with 25% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 15.4%.
Foster Senior High School operates within this large suburban setting in King County, serving families from a community that reflects a mix of economic backgrounds and educational experiences.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Foster Senior High School is 22.3:1, 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
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Foster Senior High School — Students at Foster Senior High School score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.3%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.
How Foster Senior High School Compares
See how Foster Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 19.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 50.5% (2024).
Location
4242 S 144th St, Tukwila, WA 98168
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foster Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Innovation Heights Academy (rated 6.4/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Burien), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Talley High School (rated 4.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Seattle), a more accessible option. Additionally, Tyee High School (rated 3.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Seatac), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tukwila, see our Tukwila schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Showalter Middle School Tukwila | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Thorndyke Elementary Tukwila | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Impact Public Schools Tukwila | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Impact | Salish Sea Elementary Tukwila | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Cascade View Elementary Tukwila | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Glacier Middle School Seatac | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Tukwila Elementary Tukwila | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| McMicken Heights Elementary Seatac | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| ACADEMY SCHOOLS Tukwila | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Hilltop Elementary Seattle | 1.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Rainier View Elementary School Seattle | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Valley View Early Childhood Center Seatac | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Campbell Hill Elementary School Seattle | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Bow Lake Elementary Seatac | 2.5 mi | 4.1 |
| SEATTLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Seatac | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Tyee High School Seatac | 2.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Chinook Middle School Seatac | 2.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Talley High School Seattle | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Innovation Heights Academy Burien | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Emerson Elementary School Seattle | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98168 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,937
Median Home Value
$500,600
Median Rent
$1,724/mo
Population
34,814
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
53.2%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foster Senior High School has a median household income of $84,937. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $500,600, with a median rent of $1,724/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. 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 |
| Fife High School Tacoma, 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 Foster Senior High School
What grades does Foster Senior High School serve?
Foster Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Foster Senior High School?
Foster Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 893 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Foster Senior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Foster Senior High School is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Foster Senior High School rank in WA?
Foster Senior High School is ranked #1359 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Foster Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Foster Senior 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 Foster Senior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Foster Senior High School has 21.9% math proficiency and 52.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Foster Senior High School a charter school?
No, Foster Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Foster Senior High School a Title I school?
No, Foster Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Foster Senior High School?
78.3% of students at Foster Senior 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 (16,204/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tukwila). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 893
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 901-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tukwila School District- District Enrollment
- 2,828
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,639
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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