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
Enrollment
1,889
Student-Teacher
24.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mount Rainier High School — Students at Mount Rainier High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 18.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 54.5% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (206) 631-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated 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.