Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+6.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.7%
Reading vs. State Avg-4.5 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,026

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.6%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 7 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
ELA
75%
2024
ELA
56.7%

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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in WA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,183/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.