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Average

#1006 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 45% in state

Science and Math Institute

High School · Tacoma School District

5501 N. Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Enrollment

604

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#42 of 83

public schools

Washington high schools

#158 of 476

In district

#33 of 62

Tacoma School District

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Science and Math Institute

Science and Math Institute stands out as a high-performing public high school serving 604 students in grades 9-12 in Tacoma, Washington. With a student-teacher ratio of 22.4:1 and 27 full-time equivalent teachers, the school has earned recognition as one of Washington's top educational institutions, ranking #275 out of 2261 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile. The school's academic excellence is particularly evident in English Language Arts and Reading, where an impressive 87% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across all grade levels.

This strong performance has contributed to the school's outstanding 9.7 out of 10 academic score and overall 7.5 rating from MySchoolScout. Located at 5501 N. Pearl Street, Science and Math Institute serves a well-educated community where 49% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding 98407 ZIP code reflects a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class neighborhood with a median household income of $103,900 and median home values of $567,200. The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.9%, creating a supportive environment for educational achievement. Science and Math Institute operates within Tacoma's mid-size city setting, offering students both urban opportunities and a focused academic environment that clearly delivers exceptional results.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Science and Math Institute is 22.4:1, 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 Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.7%
Math vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.5 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation53.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,575

Science and Math Institute — Students at Science and Math Institute score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 39.9%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 77.6%
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
52%
ELA
82%
2022
ELA
87%
2024
Math
33.9%
ELA
70.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.9/10.

How Science and Math Institute Compares

See how Science and Math Institute performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in WA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

5501 N. Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Science and Math Institute may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center (rated 6.7/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dr. Dolores Silas High School (rated 4.1/10, 3.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Point Defiance Elementary School Tacoma 1.0 mi 8.6
Truman Middle School Tacoma 1.7 mi 6.1
Skyline Elementary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 4.5
Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma 2.4 mi 4.9
Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma 2.4 mi 4.5
Tacoma Online High School Tacoma 2.4 mi
Sherman Elementary School Tacoma 2.0 mi 7.5
Downing Elementary School Tacoma 2.5 mi 9.1
Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma 3.1 mi 4.1
Mason Middle School Tacoma 2.7 mi 5.6
Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma 3.3 mi 6.7
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 3.4 mi 7.9
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 3.5 mi 7.6
The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma 3.5 mi
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 2.9 mi 8.7
Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma 3.3 mi 8.4
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gig Harbor 2.6 mi 5.4
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 3.8 mi 5.4
Delong Elementary School Tacoma 3.9 mi 8.5
HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gig Harbor 3.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98407 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,905

Median Home Value

$613,000

Median Rent

$1,847/mo

Population

21,210

College Educated

50.1%

Homeownership

65.4%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

47

Community Profile

The community surrounding Science and Math Institute has a median household income of $108,905. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $613,000, with a median rent of $1,847/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
HOLY NAMES ACADEMY Seattle, WA 6.6
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien, WA 6.6
Zillah High School Zillah, WA 6.6
Blaine High School Blaine, WA 6.5
Charles Francis Adams High School Clarkston, WA 6.5
Rainier Beach High School Seattle, WA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Science and Math Institute

What grades does Science and Math Institute serve?

Science and Math Institute serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Science and Math Institute?

Science and Math Institute has an enrollment of approximately 604 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Science and Math Institute?

The student-teacher ratio at Science and Math Institute is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Science and Math Institute rank in WA?

Science and Math Institute is ranked #1006 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Science and Math Institute's MySchoolScout rating?

Science and Math Institute has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Science and Math Institute?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Science and Math Institute has 39.9% math proficiency and 77.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Science and Math Institute a charter school?

No, Science and Math Institute is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Science and Math Institute a Title I school?

No, Science and Math Institute is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Science and Math Institute?

39.4% of students at Science and Math Institute 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 (6,715/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
604
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#33 of 62

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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