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Average

#1595 of 2,228 schools in WA

North Thurston High School

High School · North Thurston Public Schools

600 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98506

Enrollment

1,412

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,595 of 2,228

In Lacey

#19 of 24

public schools

In district

#19 of 24

North Thurston Public Schools

Equity

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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North Thurston High School

5.3/10

High School in Lacey · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ignite Family Academy

7.3/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Chinook Middle School

6.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About North Thurston High School

North Thurston High School is a public high school in Lacey, WA, part of North Thurston Public Schools. North Thurston High School serves approximately 1,412 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. North Thurston High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,595 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for North Thurston High School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

North Thurston High School runs 21.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.8% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,096
Chronic Absenteeism19.7%

North Thurston High School — Students at North Thurston High School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 77.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
45%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
86%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
90%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
77%
2022
ELA
74%
2024
Math
28.8%
ELA
62.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.

How North Thurston High School Compares

See how North Thurston High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in WA
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
16
7 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
16.6% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics16sports offered
7 boys'·9 girls'·31 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

600 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Lacey, WA 98506

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Thurston High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Envision Career Academy (rated 4.7/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lacey, see our Lacey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Ignite Family Academy Lacey 0.1 mi 7.3
Chinook Middle School Lacey 0.3 mi 6.0
Envision Career Academy Lacey 0.4 mi 4.7
Summit VIrtual Academy Lacey 0.4 mi 2.7
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey 0.5 mi 6.3
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Lacey 0.6 mi 7.5
Pleasant Glade Elementary Lacey 0.8 mi 8.4
CAPITAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Olympia 0.8 mi
Mountain View Elementary Lacey 1.7 mi 6.2
POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL Lacey 1.5 mi 7.5
South Bay Elementary Lacey 2.3 mi 7.5
Lacey Elementary Lacey 2.1 mi 5.0
OLYMPIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL Olympia 2.0 mi 4.0
Komachin Middle School Lacey 2.6 mi 6.4
Olympia Regional Learning Academy Olympia 2.0 mi 6.0
TEMPLE BAPTIST ACADEMY Lacey 2.7 mi 6.9
PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey 2.0 mi 8.0
THE PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL Lacey 2.0 mi 7.7
McKenny Elementary Olympia 2.5 mi 7.9
NOVA SCHOOL Olympia 2.5 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,968

Median Home Value

$469,700

Median Rent

$1,431/mo

Population

18,763

College Educated

50.8%

Homeownership

67%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

47.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Auburn Mountainview High School Auburn, WA 5.3
Evergreen High School Seattle, WA 5.3
J M Weatherwax High School Aberdeen, WA 5.3
River Ridge High School Lacey, WA 5.3
Skyview High School Vancouver, WA 5.3
University High School Spokane Valley, WA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Thurston High School

What grades does North Thurston High School serve?

North Thurston High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend North Thurston High School?

North Thurston High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,412 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Thurston High School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Thurston High School is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Thurston High School rank in WA?

North Thurston High School ranks #1,595 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is North Thurston High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Thurston High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 North Thurston High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Thurston High School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is North Thurston High School a charter school?

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

Is North Thurston High School a Title I school?

No, North Thurston High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Thurston High School?

50.5% of students at North Thurston 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
68 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,412
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
66
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Thurston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.7%

District

North Thurston Public Schools
District Enrollment
15,197
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,096
District Rank
#19 of 24

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