Below Average
#1863 of 2,225 schools in WA
Port Townsend High School
High School · Port Townsend School District
1500 Van Ness St, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Port Townsend
#4 of 4
public schools
Washington high schools
#369 of 476
In district
#4 of 4
Port Townsend School District
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Port Townsend High School
Port Townsend High School serves 361 students in grades 9-12 as a regular public school in Port Townsend, Washington. Located at 1500 Van Ness Street, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #325 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Washington high schools.
With an impressive academic score of 9.1 out of 10, Port Townsend High School shows particular strength in English Language Arts and Reading, where 77% of students across all grades score proficient or above. The school serves a community where the median household income is $61,924 and 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code 98368 has a population of 17,046, with a median home value of $457,800 and a poverty rate of 13.3%.
Port Townsend High School operates within the charming town setting of Port Townsend, a historic community in Jefferson County known for its Victorian architecture and maritime heritage along the Olympic Peninsula.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Port Townsend High School is 20.1:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Port Townsend High School — Students at Port Townsend High School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.1%
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: 4.5/10.
How Port Townsend High School Compares
See how Port Townsend High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 31% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 67.9% (2024).
Location
1500 Van Ness St, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Port Townsend High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Coupeville High School (rated 6.8/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Coupeville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oak Harbor High School (rated 5.4/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Oak Harbor), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Chimacum Junior/Senior High School (rated 4.0/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Chimacum), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Port Townsend, see our Port Townsend schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SWAN SCHOOL Port Townsend | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Blue Heron Middle School Port Townsend | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| OCEAN Port Townsend | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Salish Coast Elementary Port Townsend | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Chimacum Creek Primary School Chimacum | 5.9 mi | 7.9 |
| CEDARBROOK ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN Port Hadlock | 5.9 mi | — |
| SUNFIELD WALDORF SCHOOL Port Hadlock | 6.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Chimacum Elementary School Chimacum | 7.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Chimacum Junior/Senior High School Chimacum | 7.3 mi | 4.0 |
| PI Program Chimacum | 7.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Coupeville High School Coupeville | 7.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Coupeville Middle School Coupeville | 7.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Open Den Coupeville | 7.2 mi | — |
| Coupeville Elementary School Coupeville | 7.4 mi | 8.1 |
| BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Oak Harbor | 9.9 mi | — |
| Broad View Elementary Oak Harbor | 13.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Oak Harbor | 13.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Oak Harbor Intermediate School Oak Harbor | 13.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Oak Harbor High School Oak Harbor | 13.5 mi | 5.4 |
| iGrad Academy Oak Harbor | 13.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98368 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,061
Median Home Value
$511,900
Median Rent
$1,349/mo
Population
17,401
College Educated
50.8%
Homeownership
75.6%
Avg Commute
17.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
59.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Port Townsend High School has a median household income of $67,061. 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 $511,900, with a median rent of $1,349/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Hoquiam High School Hoquiam, WA | 4.8 |
| Castle Rock High School Castle Rock, WA | 4.7 |
| Kiona-Benton City High School Benton City, WA | 4.7 |
| Legacy High School Vancouver, WA | 4.7 |
| Mossyrock Jr./Sr. High School Mossyrock, WA | 4.7 |
| Open Doors Vancouver, WA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Port Townsend High School
What grades does Port Townsend High School serve?
Port Townsend High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Port Townsend High School?
Port Townsend High School has an enrollment of approximately 361 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Port Townsend High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Port Townsend High School is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Port Townsend High School rank in WA?
Port Townsend High School is ranked #1863 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Port Townsend High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Port Townsend High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Port Townsend High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Port Townsend High School has 34.7% math proficiency and 75.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Port Townsend High School a charter school?
No, Port Townsend High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Port Townsend High School a Title I school?
No, Port Townsend High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Port Townsend High School?
50.1% of students at Port Townsend 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,884/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Port Townsend). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 361
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (360) 379-4520
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Port Townsend School District- District Enrollment
- 1,170
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,800
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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