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Below Average

#1885 of 2,228 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

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,885 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#76 of 88

public schools

In district

#8 of 14

Franklin Pierce School District

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Franklin Pierce High School

4.6/10

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

Morris Ford Middle School

3.8/10

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

Midland Elementary

5.2/10

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

About Franklin Pierce High School

Franklin Pierce High School is a public high school in Tacoma, WA, part of Franklin Pierce School District. Franklin Pierce High School serves approximately 1,138 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Franklin Pierce High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,885 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Franklin Pierce High School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

51% of students at Franklin Pierce 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 Progress3.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.7% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,065
Chronic Absenteeism51.2%

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 45.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 75.7% (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
42%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
91%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
96%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
93%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
73%
2022
ELA
67%
2024
Math
16.1%
ELA
57.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Franklin Pierce High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
15th percentile in WA
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
21
10 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
19.2% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
10 boys'·11 girls'·42 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

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 8.6/10, 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 3.8
Midland Elementary Tacoma 0.5 mi 5.2
Collins Elementary Tacoma 1.2 mi 6.3
Harvard Elementary Tacoma 1.6 mi 5.6
Early Learning Center Tacoma 1.4 mi 5.1
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 1.7 mi 3.7
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 6.6
EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma 2.5 mi 6.5
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 2.1 mi 6.4
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 1.9 mi 4.4
Boze Elementary School Tacoma 2.8 mi 7.0
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 2.2 mi 8.6
Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 6.2
Central Avenue Elementary Tacoma 2.2 mi 4.5
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 2.1 mi 8.6
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 2.4 mi 6.4
Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma 3.0 mi 7.3
Waller Road Elementary Tacoma 3.1 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Wahluke High School Mattawa, WA 4.6
Eastmont Senior High East Wenatchee, WA 4.5
Mountlake Terrace High School Mtlk Terrace, WA 4.5
Stanwood High School Stanwood, WA 4.5
Ephrata High School Ephrata, WA 4.7
Peninsula High School Gig Harbor, WA 4.7

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 ranks #1,885 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Franklin Pierce High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Franklin Pierce High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Franklin Pierce High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Franklin Pierce High School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.2%

District

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

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