Skip to main content

Below Average

#1831 of 2,225 schools in WA

Olympia High School

High School · Olympia School District

1302 NORTH ST SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Enrollment

1,828

Student-Teacher

23.1:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Olympia

#15 of 18

public schools

Washington high schools

#361 of 476

In district

#16 of 19

Olympia School District

Equity

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Olympia High School

Olympia High School serves 1,828 students in grades 9-12 in Washington's capital city, earning strong recognition as the 265th ranked high school out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and an impressive academic score of 9.8, the school demonstrates solid educational performance, particularly in English Language Arts where 88% of students achieve proficient or above levels across all grade levels. The school operates with 79 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 23.1 to 1.

This sizeable high school provides comprehensive programming for its substantial student body while maintaining academic excellence that reflects the educational priorities of the Olympia community. Students come from a well-educated and economically stable neighborhood, where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $92,005. The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 7.5%, with median home values around $457,500, indicating a community invested in educational achievement.

Olympia High School sits in the heart of Washington's capital city, offering students access to both urban opportunities and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest while serving a community of nearly 47,000 residents who value academic achievement and civic engagement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Olympia High School is 23.1:1, 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 Progress3.9Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.5%
Math vs. State Avg+23 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,421

Olympia High School — Students at Olympia High School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 84.5%
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
74%
ELA
93%
2022
ELA
88%
2024
Math
54.5%
ELA
78.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.9/10.

How Olympia High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in WA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
79 teachers

Location

1302 NORTH ST SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Olympia High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Avanti High School (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tumwater High School (rated 4.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Tumwater), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Olympia, see our Olympia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
SUNRISE BEACH SCHOOL Olympia 0.3 mi 8.2
Pioneer Elementary School Olympia 0.3 mi 6.1
NOVA SCHOOL Olympia 1.0 mi 6.4
Washington Middle School Olympia 0.8 mi 4.8
Lincoln Elementary School Olympia 1.1 mi 6.6
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Olympia 1.5 mi 6.5
OLYMPIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL Olympia 1.4 mi 4.0
Olympia Regional Learning Academy Olympia 1.5 mi 6.0
Avanti High School Olympia 1.8 mi 7.5
Madison Elementary School Olympia 1.8 mi 5.1
Centennial Elementary Olympia 1.4 mi 5.5
McKenny Elementary Olympia 1.3 mi 7.1
Michael T Simmons Elementary Tumwater 1.6 mi 6.7
Peter G Schmidt Elementary Tumwater 2.3 mi 6.6
Roosevelt Elementary School Olympia 2.6 mi 5.5
Tumwater Hill Elementary Tumwater 1.9 mi 4.9
ESD 113 Consortium Reengagement Program Tumwater 2.2 mi
Washington Connections Academy - Mary M. Knight Tumwater 2.6 mi 4.5
Touchstone Olympia 3.0 mi
Tumwater High School Tumwater 2.7 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,695

Median Home Value

$485,200

Median Rent

$1,600/mo

Population

46,937

College Educated

47.7%

Homeownership

60.7%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Olympia High School has a median household income of $95,695. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $485,200, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Kamiak High School Mukilteo, WA 4.9
West Valley High School Yakima, WA 4.9
Eastmont Senior High East Wenatchee, WA 5.0
White River High School Buckley, WA 5.0
Arlington High School Arlington, WA 4.8
Grandview High School Grandview, WA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Olympia High School

What grades does Olympia High School serve?

Olympia High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Olympia High School?

Olympia High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,828 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Olympia High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Olympia High School is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Olympia High School rank in WA?

Olympia High School is ranked #1831 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Olympia High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Olympia High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Olympia High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Olympia High School has 61.0% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Olympia High School a charter school?

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

Is Olympia High School a Title I school?

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

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

22.3% of students at Olympia 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
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,014/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,828
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
79
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Thurston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Olympia School District
District Enrollment
9,556
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,220
District Rank
#16 of 19

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.