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Average

#1745 of 2,225 schools in WA

Peninsula High School

High School · Peninsula School District

14105 Purdy Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Enrollment

1,395

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gig Harbor

#14 of 14

public schools

Washington high schools

#342 of 476

In district

#16 of 17

Peninsula School District

Equity

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Peninsula High School

Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor serves 1,395 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1 across 65 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #411 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide. The school's academic strengths are particularly evident in its 9.0 out of 10 academic score, with 76% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels.

These results reflect the supportive educational environment Peninsula High School provides for its students. Located on Purdy Drive Northwest, the school sits in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $122,869 and over half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of just 3.7% and median home values of $648,000 contribute to a stable, education-focused environment.

Peninsula High School serves families in this thriving Pierce County community, where nearly 20,000 residents enjoy the benefits of suburban living while maintaining access to quality educational opportunities in the greater Gig Harbor area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Peninsula High School is 21.5:1, 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 Progress6.2Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.5%
Math vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness3.9Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,026

Peninsula High School — Students at Peninsula High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.5%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 71.8%
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
48%
ELA
78%
2022
ELA
76%
2024
Math
38.2%
ELA
66.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.2/10.

How Peninsula High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in WA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

Location

14105 Purdy Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Peninsula High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Henderson Bay Alt High School (rated 7.4/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gig Harbor High (rated 6.8/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gig Harbor, see our Gig Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Purdy Elementary School Gig Harbor 0.2 mi 9.0
BURLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Port Orchard 1.9 mi 5.9
Swift Water Elementary Gig Harbor 2.4 mi 7.8
MONTESSORI FARMHOUSE Port Orchard 2.7 mi
Pioneer Elementary School Gig Harbor 3.7 mi 5.5
Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor 3.5 mi 6.0
Henderson Bay Alt High School Gig Harbor 3.8 mi 7.4
Burley Glenwood Elementary Port Orchard 3.8 mi 6.3
Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor 3.9 mi 6.8
Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor 3.9 mi 8.2
Olalla Elementary School Port Orchard 3.9 mi 8.8
ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gig Harbor 4.4 mi 6.7
Minter Creek Elementary Gig Harbor 3.4 mi 7.7
HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gig Harbor 5.0 mi
Mullenix Ridge Elementary School Port Orchard 5.7 mi 7.8
Artondale Elementary School Gig Harbor 6.4 mi 6.7
Voyager Elementary Gig Harbor 6.0 mi 7.2
Kopachuck Middle School Gig Harbor 6.2 mi 7.0
TRUE FAITH ACADEMY Gig Harbor 4.7 mi
Harbor Heights Elementary School Gig Harbor 6.7 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,827

Median Home Value

$686,900

Median Rent

$2,373/mo

Population

19,784

College Educated

52.4%

Homeownership

82.3%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

48.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Peninsula High School has a median household income of $122,827. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $686,900, with a median rent of $2,373/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Bethel High School Spanaway, WA 5.1
Edmonds Woodway High School Edmonds, WA 5.1
R A Long High School Longview, WA 5.1
Wapato High School Wapato, WA 5.1
Eastmont Senior High East Wenatchee, WA 5.0
Ephrata High School Ephrata, WA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Peninsula High School

What grades does Peninsula High School serve?

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

How many students attend Peninsula High School?

Peninsula High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,395 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Peninsula High School is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Peninsula High School rank in WA?

Peninsula High School is ranked #1745 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Peninsula High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Peninsula High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Peninsula High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Peninsula High School has 41.5% math proficiency and 71.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Peninsula High School a charter school?

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

Is Peninsula High School a Title I school?

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

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

29.2% of students at Peninsula 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
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,183/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,395
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Peninsula School District
District Enrollment
9,069
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,219
District Rank
#16 of 17

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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