Below Average
#1966 of 2,225 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
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,412
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lacey
#19 of 24
public schools
Washington high schools
#401 of 476
In district
#19 of 24
North Thurston Public Schools
Equity
7.0 / 10
Strong
About North Thurston High School
North Thurston High School serves 1,412 students in grades 9-12 in Lacey, Washington, with a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1 across 66 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned solid recognition, ranking #495 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10. Academically, North Thurston demonstrates strong performance with an impressive 8.6 out of 10 academic score.
The school's English Language Arts and Reading program shows particular strength, with 74% of students achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. This consistent academic achievement reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. The school draws from a well-educated community where 50% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $88,512.
With a relatively low poverty rate of 10.3% and median home values around $409,800, the surrounding neighborhood provides a stable foundation for student learning and family engagement. Located on Sleater Kinney Road in Lacey, North Thurston High School sits in a small city setting within Thurston County, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community while maintaining access to broader regional opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at North Thurston High School is 21.4:1, 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
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North Thurston High School — Students at North Thurston High School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
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: 4.0/10.
How North Thurston High School Compares
See how North Thurston High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 28.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 62.5% (2024).
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 4.4/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 5.7 |
| Chinook Middle School Lacey | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Envision Career Academy Lacey | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Summit VIrtual Academy Lacey | 0.4 mi | 2.6 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| CAPITAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Olympia | 0.8 mi | — |
| Mountain View Elementary Lacey | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL Lacey | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| South Bay Elementary Lacey | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Lacey Elementary Lacey | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| OLYMPIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL Olympia | 2.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Komachin Middle School Lacey | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| McKenny Elementary Olympia | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Thurston High School has a median household income of $93,968. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $469,700, with a median rent of $1,431/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Heritage High School Vancouver, WA | 4.5 |
| Mark Morris High School Longview, WA | 4.5 |
| Klahowya Secondary Silverdale, WA | 4.6 |
| Lakes High School Lakewood, WA | 4.4 |
| Othello High School Othello, WA | 4.4 |
| Port Angeles High School Port Angeles, WA | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #1966 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is North Thurston High School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Thurston High School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 North Thurston High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Thurston High School has 35.2% math proficiency and 69.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 51 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 43 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 68 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,662/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lacey). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 412-4800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Thurston Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,197
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,096
- District Rank
- #19 of 24
Other Schools in This District
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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