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Average

#1281 of 2,225 schools in WA

Mount Rainier High School

High School · Highline School District

22450 19th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198

Enrollment

1,889

Student-Teacher

24.5:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#3 of 7

public schools

Washington high schools

#224 of 476

In district

#17 of 34

Highline School District

About Mount Rainier High School

Mount Rainier High School serves 1,889 students in grades 9-12 in Des Moines, Washington, operating as a comprehensive public high school with 77 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 24.5:1. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #852 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide with an academic score of 7.6 out of 10. Students demonstrate solid performance in English Language Arts and reading, with 66% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

As one of the larger high schools in the region, Mount Rainier offers the breadth of programming that comes with substantial enrollment while maintaining its focus on student achievement. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $76,062 and median home values reach $475,100. About 29% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 13.3%.

Mount Rainier High School is situated in a large suburban setting that reflects the growing South King County area, providing students with access to both urban opportunities and suburban community life.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mount Rainier High School is 24.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Math vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness10.0Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,077

Mount Rainier High School — Students at Mount Rainier High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.1%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 60.8%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
68%
2022
ELA
66%
2024
Math
18.2%
ELA
54.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.

How Mount Rainier High School Compares

See how Mount Rainier High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in WA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
·606 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

22450 19th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mount Rainier High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maritime High School (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHOICE Academy (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Seattle), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Big Picture School (rated 6.4/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Burien), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Midway Elementary Des Moines 0.2 mi 3.3
Pacific Middle School Des Moines 0.2 mi 3.3
ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Des Moines 0.4 mi 6.4
Cascade Public Schools Des Moines 0.5 mi
Des Moines Elementary Des Moines 0.8 mi 5.9
Parkside Elementary Des Moines 1.3 mi 3.7
River Ridge Elementary Seatac 0.9 mi 5.4
Madrona Elementary Seatac 1.6 mi 6.6
Maritime High School Des Moines 1.8 mi 7.2
HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.2 mi 5.8
K-SCHOOL Des Moines 2.2 mi 6.4
North Hill Elementary Des Moines 1.9 mi 8.2
Sunnycrest Elementary School Kent 1.8 mi 4.4
Woodmont K-8 School Des Moines 2.5 mi 5.2
CHOICE Academy Seattle 2.7 mi 6.8
Highline Home School Center Burien 2.7 mi
Marvista Elementary Normandy Park 2.4 mi 7.9
Big Picture School Burien 2.7 mi 6.4
Mark Twain Elementary School Federal Way 3.0 mi 6.5
Chinook Middle School Seatac 2.8 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98198 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,938

Median Home Value

$527,100

Median Rent

$1,770/mo

Population

39,815

College Educated

31.5%

Homeownership

54.3%

Avg Commute

30.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mount Rainier High School has a median household income of $83,938. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $527,100, with a median rent of $1,770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Chief Sealth International High School Seattle, WA 6.0
Fort Vancouver High School Vancouver, WA 6.0
Rogers High School Spokane, WA 6.0
Yelm High School 12 Yelm, WA 6.0
Auburn Riverside High School Auburn, WA 6.1
Kent-Meridian High School Kent, WA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mount Rainier High School

What grades does Mount Rainier High School serve?

Mount Rainier High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mount Rainier High School?

Mount Rainier High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,889 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mount Rainier High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mount Rainier High School is 24.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mount Rainier High School rank in WA?

Mount Rainier High School is ranked #1281 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Mount Rainier High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mount Rainier High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Mount Rainier High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mount Rainier High School has 24.1% math proficiency and 60.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mount Rainier High School a charter school?

No, Mount Rainier High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mount Rainier High School a Title I school?

No, Mount Rainier High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mount Rainier High School?

60.7% of students at Mount Rainier 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,161/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,889
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
77
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Highline School District
District Enrollment
17,823
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,594
District Rank
#17 of 34

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

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