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Below Average

#1857 of 2,228 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

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,857 of 2,228

In Port Townsend

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Port Townsend School District

Equity

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Port Townsend High School

4.7/10

High School in Port Townsend · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Swan School

5.7/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Blue Heron Middle School

5.6/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Port Townsend High School

Port Townsend High School is a public high school in Port Townsend, WA, part of Port Townsend School District. Port Townsend High School serves approximately 361 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Port Townsend High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,857 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Port Townsend High School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below WA schools
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Port Townsend High School runs 20.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

63% of students at Port Townsend High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.9% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,800
Chronic Absenteeism63.2%

Port Townsend High School — Students at Port Townsend High School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 84.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
47%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
97.5%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2015
Math
74.5%
ELA
97.5%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
92%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
87%
2022
ELA
77%
2024
Math
31%
ELA
67.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.

How Port Townsend High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in WA
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.8
Sports
18
8 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
63.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
8.9% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
8 boys'·10 girls'·25 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Coupeville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oak Harbor High School (rated 4.7/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Oak Harbor), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chimacum Junior/Senior High School (rated 3.9/10, 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 5.6
OCEAN Port Townsend 0.9 mi 4.7
Salish Coast Elementary Port Townsend 1.2 mi 8.0
Chimacum Creek Primary School Chimacum 5.9 mi 7.8
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 7.7
Chimacum Junior/Senior High School Chimacum 7.3 mi 3.9
PI Program Chimacum 7.3 mi 2.7
Coupeville High School Coupeville 7.2 mi 6.1
Coupeville Middle School Coupeville 7.2 mi 6.5
Open Den Coupeville 7.2 mi
Coupeville Elementary School Coupeville 7.4 mi 7.9
BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Oak Harbor 9.9 mi
Broad View Elementary Oak Harbor 13.1 mi 7.1
Hillcrest Elementary Oak Harbor 13.4 mi 8.8
Oak Harbor Intermediate School Oak Harbor 13.1 mi 6.6
Oak Harbor High School Oak Harbor 13.5 mi 4.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Individualized Graduation & Degree Program Kent, WA 4.7
Napavine Jr Sr High School Napavine, WA 4.7
Newport High School Newport, WA 4.7
Soap Lake Middle & High School Soap Lake, WA 4.7
College Place High School College Place, WA 4.8
Open Doors Vancouver, WA 4.8

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 ranks #1,857 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Port Townsend High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Port Townsend High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Port Townsend High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Port Townsend High School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
66 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
60 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
63.2%

District

Port Townsend School District
District Enrollment
1,170
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,800
District Rank
#3 of 4

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