Very Good
#603 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 27% in state
Henderson Bay Alt High School
High School · Peninsula School District
14015 62ND AVE NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Enrollment
122
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
122
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gig Harbor
#6 of 14
public schools
Washington high schools
#67 of 476
In district
#7 of 17
Peninsula School District
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Henderson Bay Alt High School
Henderson Bay Alt High School serves 122 students in grades 9-12 in Gig Harbor, Washington, operating as an alternative education program within Pierce County's school system. With 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and individualized learning approaches. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, earning an impressive 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 49th among Washington's 2,261 schools, placing it in the 98th percentile statewide.
This outstanding performance is reflected in the school's 8.8 out of 10 academic score, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. As an alternative high school, Henderson Bay provides specialized educational pathways for students who may benefit from non-traditional learning environments while maintaining rigorous academic standards. The school's success likely benefits from serving students in an affluent community where the median household income reaches $122,869 and 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
Henderson Bay Alt High School is situated in Gig Harbor's large suburban setting, nestled within the 98332 ZIP code area where median home values of $648,000 reflect the community's prosperity and low 3.7% poverty rate indicates strong economic stability.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 122 students, Henderson Bay Alt High 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.
While current test scores at Henderson Bay Alt High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Henderson Bay Alt High School — Students at Henderson Bay Alt High School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 7 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: 10.0/10.
How Henderson Bay Alt High School Compares
See how Henderson Bay Alt High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 56.7% (2024).
Location
14015 62ND AVE NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Henderson Bay Alt High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gig Harbor High (rated 6.8/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Science and Math Institute (rated 6.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Peninsula High School (rated 5.1/10, 3.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gig Harbor, see our Gig Harbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor | 0.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Pioneer Elementary School Gig Harbor | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gig Harbor | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gig Harbor | 1.3 mi | — |
| Swift Water Elementary Gig Harbor | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Harbor Heights Elementary School Gig Harbor | 2.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Artondale Elementary School Gig Harbor | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Goodman Middle School Gig Harbor | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gig Harbor | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Purdy Elementary School Gig Harbor | 3.6 mi | 9.0 |
| GIG HARBOR ACADEMY Gig Harbor | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Peninsula High School Gig Harbor | 3.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Voyager Elementary Gig Harbor | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Kopachuck Middle School Gig Harbor | 4.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Science and Math Institute Tacoma | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| BURLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Port Orchard | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Point Defiance Elementary School Tacoma | 5.0 mi | 8.6 |
| MONTESSORI FARMHOUSE Port Orchard | 6.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$122,827
Median Home Value
$686,900
Median Rent
$2,373/mo
Population
19,784
College Educated
52.4%
Homeownership
82.3%
Avg Commute
32.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
48.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Henderson Bay Alt High School has a median household income of $122,827. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $686,900, with a median rent of $2,373/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Mica Peak High School Spokane Valley, WA | 7.4 |
| Oakland High School Tacoma, WA | 7.4 |
| Avanti High School Olympia, WA | 7.5 |
| Cusick Jr Sr High School Cusick, WA | 7.5 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Lacey, WA | 7.5 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL Lacey, WA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Henderson Bay Alt High School
What grades does Henderson Bay Alt High School serve?
Henderson Bay Alt High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Henderson Bay Alt High School?
Henderson Bay Alt High School has an enrollment of approximately 122 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Henderson Bay Alt High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Henderson Bay Alt High School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Henderson Bay Alt High School rank in WA?
Henderson Bay Alt High School is ranked #603 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Henderson Bay Alt High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Henderson Bay Alt High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Henderson Bay Alt High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Henderson Bay Alt High School has 10.0% math proficiency and 54.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Henderson Bay Alt High School a charter school?
No, Henderson Bay Alt High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Henderson Bay Alt High School a Title I school?
No, Henderson Bay Alt High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Henderson Bay Alt High School?
43.4% of students at Henderson Bay Alt 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 122
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.4%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 530-1700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Peninsula School District- District Enrollment
- 9,069
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,219
- District Rank
- #7 of 17
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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