Excellent
#232 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 10% in state
Gates Secondary School
High School · Franklin Pierce School District
813 132nd Street S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
8th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#232 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#11 of 88
public schools
In district
#2 of 14
Franklin Pierce School District
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Gates Secondary School?
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Gates Secondary School
High School in Tacoma · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Brookdale Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Mary's Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gates Secondary School
Gates Secondary School is a public high school in Tacoma, WA, part of Franklin Pierce School District. Gates Secondary School serves approximately 98 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Gates Secondary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #232 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Gates Secondary School show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 5.8
- WA avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
At 98 students, Gates Secondary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 8.9:1 students to teachers, Gates Secondary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Gates Secondary School — Students at Gates Secondary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 24 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Gates Secondary School Compares
See how Gates Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
813 132nd Street S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gates Secondary School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Franklin Pierce High School (rated 4.6/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Washington High School (rated 4.2/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Acceleration Academy (rated 3.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 0.1 mi | 6.4 |
| ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 0.6 mi | 4.0 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Washington High School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.0 mi | — |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| James Sales Elementary Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Spanaway Middle School Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Thompson Preschool Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway | 2.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Spanaway Elementary Spanaway | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
| BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway | 2.3 mi | 4.0 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Collins Elementary Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98444 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,464
Median Home Value
$369,500
Median Rent
$1,581/mo
Population
35,660
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
45.8%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
34.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| RAINIER CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Auburn, WA | 8.3 |
| Almira Coulee Hartline High School Coulee City, WA | 8.2 |
| Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham, WA | 8.1 |
| Middle College High School Seattle, WA | 8.1 |
| COLUMBIA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Battle Ground, WA | 7.8 |
| Selkirk High School Ione, WA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gates Secondary School
What grades does Gates Secondary School serve?
Gates Secondary School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.
How many students attend Gates Secondary School?
Gates Secondary School has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gates Secondary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gates Secondary School is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gates Secondary School rank in WA?
Gates Secondary School ranks #232 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Gates Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gates Secondary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Gates Secondary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gates Secondary School has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019).
Is Gates Secondary School a charter school?
No, Gates Secondary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gates Secondary School a Title I school?
No, Gates Secondary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gates Secondary School?
68.4% of students at Gates Secondary 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 98
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.4%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 298-4005
Resources & Links
District
Franklin Pierce School District- District Enrollment
- 7,296
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,065
- District Rank
- #2 of 14
Other Schools in This District
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