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Needs Improvement

#2094 of 2,228 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

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,094 of 2,228

In Spanaway

#12 of 15

public schools

In district

#30 of 33

Bethel School District

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Spanaway Lake High School

3.7/10

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

Evergreen Elementary

7.1/10

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

Chester H Thompson Elementary

8.2/10

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

About Spanaway Lake High School

Spanaway Lake High School is a public high school in Spanaway, WA, part of Bethel School District. Spanaway Lake High School serves approximately 1,804 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Spanaway Lake High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,094 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Spanaway Lake High School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.7
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Spanaway Lake High School runs 22.6:1 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.

51% of students at Spanaway Lake 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 Progress4.1Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.7% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.5 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness3.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,370
Chronic Absenteeism51.4%

Spanaway Lake High School — Students at Spanaway Lake High School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 66.8% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
24%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
44%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
73%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
69%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
62%
2022
ELA
51%
2024
Math
12.6%
ELA
56.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.1/10.

How Spanaway Lake High School Compares

See how Spanaway Lake High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
6th percentile in WA
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
21
9 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
9.9% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
9 boys'·12 girls'·37 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

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. Acceleration Academy (rated 3.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Challenger High School (rated 2.4/10, 1.2 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 7.1
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 0.8 mi 8.2
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 0.9 mi 5.1
Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway 1.0 mi 8.9
Spanaway Middle School Tacoma 1.0 mi 6.7
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma 1.0 mi 8.6
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway 1.5 mi 4.1
Challenger High School Spanaway 1.2 mi 2.4
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 1.1 mi 3.2
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 1.1 mi 4.0
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 1.2 mi 7.8
Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma 1.4 mi 7.3
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 3.7
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 6.4
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Auburn Senior High School Auburn, WA 3.7
Grandview High School Grandview, WA 3.7
Sedro Woolley Senior High School Sedro-Woolley, WA 3.7
Olympic High School Bremerton, WA 3.8
Ridgeline High School Liberty Lake, WA 3.8
West Valley High School Yakima, WA 3.8

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 ranks #2,094 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Spanaway Lake High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spanaway Lake High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Spanaway Lake High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spanaway Lake High School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

District

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

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