Gates Secondary School

Gates Secondary School serves 98 students in grades 8 through 12 as an alternative high school in Tacoma, Washington. With just 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for individualized attention and personalized learning approaches that can be particularly beneficial for students who may not thrive in traditional educational settings. Despite its alternative designation, Gates Secondary School has earned impressive recognition, ranking #201 out of 2,261 schools statewide and achieving a strong 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, placing it in the 91st percentile among Washington schools.

This high performance suggests the school's alternative approach is effectively meeting students' diverse learning needs and helping them achieve academic success. The school's small size creates an intimate learning environment where students can build strong relationships with teachers and peers. The focused attention possible with fewer than 100 students often proves invaluable for learners who benefit from more structured, supportive educational settings.

Gates Secondary School is located on 132nd Street S in Tacoma's 98444 ZIP code area, a diverse suburban community of over 35,000 residents where the median household income is $60,855 and median home values reach $326,000.

With an enrollment of 98 students, Gates Secondary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Gates Secondary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.