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Below Average

#1881 of 2,225 schools in WA

Franklin Pierce High School

High School · Franklin Pierce School District

11002 18TH AVE E, Tacoma, WA 98445

Enrollment

1,138

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#3 of 4

public schools

Washington high schools

#376 of 476

In district

#12 of 14

Franklin Pierce School District

About Franklin Pierce High School

Franklin Pierce High School serves 1,138 students in grades 9-12 in Tacoma, Washington, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 across 64 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #533 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 76th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. Academically, Franklin Pierce demonstrates solid performance with an academic score of 7.8 out of 10.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 67% of students perform at proficient levels or above across all grade levels, indicating strong literacy foundations for college and career preparation. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $85,403 and median home values reach $373,900. While 16% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community maintains economic stability with an 11.9% poverty rate.

The ZIP code area serves over 33,000 residents, creating a substantial community presence. Franklin Pierce High School operates as a regular public school in Pierce County's large suburban setting, providing comprehensive high school education to families in this established Tacoma neighborhood. The school's consistent academic performance and community roots make it a stable choice for families seeking traditional public education in the greater Tacoma area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.7%
Math vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,349

Franklin Pierce High School — Students at Franklin Pierce High School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.4%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 63.9%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
44%
ELA
73%
2022
ELA
67%
2024
Math
16.1%
ELA
57.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.7/10.

How Franklin Pierce High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
16th percentile in WA
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers

Location

11002 18TH AVE E, Tacoma, WA 98445

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Franklin Pierce High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gates Secondary School (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma 0.3 mi 5.8
Midland Elementary Tacoma 0.5 mi 6.3
Collins Elementary Tacoma 1.2 mi 6.3
Harvard Elementary Tacoma 1.6 mi 4.4
Early Learning Center Tacoma 1.4 mi 5.2
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 1.7 mi 6.9
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.1
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.6
Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma 1.8 mi 7.4
EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma 2.5 mi 6.5
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 2.1 mi 6.7
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 1.9 mi 7.2
Boze Elementary School Tacoma 2.8 mi 6.7
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 2.2 mi 8.1
Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 7.6
Central Avenue Elementary Tacoma 2.2 mi 5.2
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 2.1 mi 8.7
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 2.4 mi 6.4
Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma 3.0 mi 5.0
Waller Road Elementary Tacoma 3.1 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98445 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,063

Median Home Value

$413,200

Median Rent

$1,721/mo

Population

33,578

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

69.7%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

37

Community Profile

The community surrounding Franklin Pierce High School has a median household income of $90,063. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $413,200, with a median rent of $1,721/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Kelso High School Kelso, WA 4.7
Stanwood High School Stanwood, WA 4.7
Tumwater High School Tumwater, WA 4.7
Grandview High School Grandview, WA 4.8
Lynnwood High School Bothell, WA 4.8
Klahowya Secondary Silverdale, WA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Franklin Pierce High School

What grades does Franklin Pierce High School serve?

Franklin Pierce High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Franklin Pierce High School?

Franklin Pierce High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,138 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Franklin Pierce High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Franklin Pierce High School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Franklin Pierce High School rank in WA?

Franklin Pierce High School is ranked #1881 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Franklin Pierce High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Franklin Pierce High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Franklin Pierce High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Franklin Pierce High School has 25.4% math proficiency and 63.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Franklin Pierce High School a charter school?

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

Is Franklin Pierce High School a Title I school?

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

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

65.4% of students at Franklin Pierce 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
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,138
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Franklin Pierce School District
District Enrollment
7,296
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,065
District Rank
#12 of 14

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 methodology

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