Average
#1370 of 2,225 schools in WA
Spanaway Lake High School
High School · Bethel School District
1305 168th St E, Spanaway, WA 98387
Enrollment
1,804
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,804
Student-Teacher
22.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spanaway
#5 of 14
public schools
Washington high schools
#251 of 476
In district
#15 of 33
Bethel School District
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Spanaway Lake High School
Spanaway Lake High School serves 1,804 students in grades 9-12 in the suburban community of Spanaway, Washington. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1, providing a substantial high school environment in Pierce County. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 51% of students performing proficiently or above in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels.
The school ranks in the 40th percentile among Washington high schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic development and support for its large student body. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $94,340 and median home values reach $373,400. The surrounding ZIP code of 98387 is home to over 51,000 residents, with a 9% poverty rate reflecting a generally stable economic environment.
While 16% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community represents a mix of educational backgrounds that contributes to the school's varied student population. Located on 168th Street East, Spanaway Lake High School sits in the heart of this large suburban area, serving families throughout the greater Spanaway community with its comprehensive high school programming and resources.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Spanaway Lake High School is 22.6:1, 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
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Spanaway Lake High School — Students at Spanaway Lake High School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.1%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.
How Spanaway Lake High School Compares
See how Spanaway Lake High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24% (2019) to 61.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 56.7% (2024).
Location
1305 168th St E, Spanaway, WA 98387
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spanaway Lake High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Challenger High School (rated 4.2/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Acceleration Academy (rated 4.1/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Spanaway, see our Spanaway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 0.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Thompson Preschool Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Spanaway Middle School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Challenger High School Spanaway | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway | 1.1 mi | 4.1 |
| BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Spanaway Elementary Spanaway | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.8 mi | — |
| Collins Elementary Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 6.3 |
| ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,141
Median Home Value
$424,100
Median Rent
$1,837/mo
Population
49,940
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
37.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
34.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spanaway Lake High School has a median household income of $101,141. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $424,100, with a median rent of $1,837/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 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 |
|---|---|
| Capital High School Olympia, WA | 5.8 |
| Gov John Rogers High School Puyallup, WA | 5.8 |
| Lincoln High School Tacoma, WA | 5.8 |
| Central Valley High School Spokane Valley, WA | 5.7 |
| Ferndale High School Ferndale, WA | 5.7 |
| Hanford High School Richland, WA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spanaway Lake High School
What grades does Spanaway Lake High School serve?
Spanaway Lake High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Spanaway Lake High School?
Spanaway Lake High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,804 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spanaway Lake High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spanaway Lake High School is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spanaway Lake High School rank in WA?
Spanaway Lake High School is ranked #1370 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Spanaway Lake High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spanaway Lake High School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Spanaway Lake High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spanaway Lake High School has 32.8% math proficiency and 48.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spanaway Lake High School a charter school?
No, Spanaway Lake High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spanaway Lake High School a Title I school?
No, Spanaway Lake High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spanaway Lake High School?
58.1% of students at Spanaway Lake 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,804
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 800-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #15 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 methodologyRelated reading
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