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Needs Improvement

#2159 of 2,225 schools in WA

Pierce County Skills Center

High School · Bethel School District

16117 Canyon Rd E, Puyallup, WA 98375

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 31 schools in Puyallup. Learn more

Enrollment

315

Student-Teacher

26.2:1

Score

3.5

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Puyallup

#32 of 32

public schools

Washington high schools

#460 of 476

In district

#32 of 33

Bethel School District

About Pierce County Skills Center

Pierce County Skills Center is a vocational and technical high school located in Puyallup, Washington. Serving grades 8 through 12 with an enrollment of 315 students, the school focuses on providing hands-on education in various trades and technical fields. With a student-teacher ratio of 26.2:1 and 12 full-time equivalent teachers, Pierce County Skills Center offers personalized learning opportunities that cater to diverse interests and career paths.

While academic test scores are not available, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 2.9 out of 10 and it ranks at #2014 out of 2261 schools in Washington State, indicating there may be room for improvement academically. However, students here gain valuable skills and real-world experience through practical training programs designed to prepare them for the workforce or further education. Pierce County Skills Center is situated in a large suburban area, offering its students easy access to both rural landscapes and urban amenities of nearby Tacoma and Seattle.

The school's setting provides a supportive environment that encourages hands-on learning and career exploration.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Pierce County Skills Center is 26.2:1, 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

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average29%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 31 schools in Puyallup
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement43%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement29%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,195

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Pierce County Skills Center Compares

See how Pierce County Skills Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in WA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

16117 Canyon Rd E, Puyallup, WA 98375

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pierce County Skills Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gov John Rogers High School (rated 5.8/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Spanaway Lake High School (rated 5.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Puyallup, see our Puyallup schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup 0.1 mi
Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma 1.2 mi 8.1
Frederickson Elementary Puyallup 1.4 mi 3.6
CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.0
Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.0
Central Avenue Elementary Tacoma 2.1 mi 5.2
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma 1.7 mi 8.3
Dessie F Evans Elementary Puyallup 2.0 mi 5.6
Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway 3.0 mi 8.4
Liberty Middle School Spanaway 3.1 mi 5.6
Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway 3.1 mi 2.6
Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup 2.5 mi 7.0
Gov John Rogers High School Puyallup 2.9 mi 5.8
Shining Mountain Elementary Spanaway 3.6 mi 7.0
Frank Brouillet Elem Puyallup 2.6 mi 8.0
Evergreen Elementary Spanaway 2.6 mi 4.5
Woodland Elementary Puyallup 3.5 mi 8.4
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 2.6 mi 5.8
Bethel Middle School Spanaway 3.7 mi 5.9
Collins Elementary Tacoma 3.1 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98375 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,972

Median Home Value

$471,900

Median Rent

$2,140/mo

Population

32,195

College Educated

29.7%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

36.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

32.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pierce County Skills Center has a median household income of $109,972. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $471,900, with a median rent of $2,140/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Crossroads High School Granite Falls, WA 3.6
Digital Learning Center Moses Lake, WA 3.4
Spokane Valley High School Spokane, WA 3.6
Cascade High School Leavenworth, WA 3.3
Columbia Virtual Academy - Kettle Falls Kettle Falls, WA 3.7
Yakima Online Yakima, WA 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pierce County Skills Center

What grades does Pierce County Skills Center serve?

Pierce County Skills Center serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Pierce County Skills Center?

Pierce County Skills Center has an enrollment of approximately 315 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pierce County Skills Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Pierce County Skills Center is 26.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pierce County Skills Center rank in WA?

Pierce County Skills Center is ranked #2159 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Pierce County Skills Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Pierce County Skills Center has a composite rating of 3.5 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.

Is Pierce County Skills Center a charter school?

No, Pierce County Skills Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pierce County Skills Center a Title I school?

No, Pierce County Skills Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pierce County Skills Center?

26.3% of students at Pierce County Skills Center 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

City Safety
High (4,272/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.3%
Type
vocational
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bethel School District
District Enrollment
21,539
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,370
District Rank
#32 of 33

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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