Average
#1070 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 48% in state
Tacoma School of the Arts
High School · Tacoma School District
PO Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98402
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#45 of 83
public schools
Washington high schools
#178 of 476
In district
#35 of 62
Tacoma School District
About Tacoma School of the Arts
Tacoma School of the Arts is a regular public high school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving grades 9 through 12, the school has an enrollment of 648 students and employs 31 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.4 out of 10, placing it at the 32nd percentile among Washington state schools ranked at number 1537 out of 2261.
Academic performance varies; 63% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 14% meet proficiency standards in Math. In Science, 46% of students are proficient or above. These scores indicate areas for improvement but highlight strengths in the arts and language skills that might not be fully captured by standardized tests.
Situated in a mid-size city, Tacoma School of the Arts likely benefits from diverse community resources and cultural opportunities. Despite its academic challenges, the school offers unique programs that cater to creative students looking to develop their artistic talents alongside rigorous academics.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Tacoma School of the Arts is 20.9:1, 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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Tacoma School of the Arts — Students at Tacoma School of the Arts score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
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: 6.3/10.
How Tacoma School of the Arts Compares
See how Tacoma School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 10.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 58.4% (2024).
Location
PO Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98402
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tacoma School of the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Comm Based Trans Program (rated 7.3/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Summit Public School: Olympus (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Seattle), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Stadium High School (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Comm Based Trans Program Tacoma | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Special Services Tacoma | 0.2 mi | — |
| Bates Technical High School Tacoma | 0.3 mi | — |
| Tacoma Open Doors Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| THE COR DEO SCHOOL Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Stadium High School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Edna Travis Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Summit Public School: Olympus Seattle | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Bryant Montessori School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Bryant Montessori Middle School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Stanley Elementary School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 3.0 |
| ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Willard Early Learning Center Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Hilltop Heritage Middle School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| TACOMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Lowell Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Grant Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln High School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Whitman Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98402 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,712
Median Home Value
$558,100
Median Rent
$1,478/mo
Population
7,500
College Educated
43.9%
Homeownership
20%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
24.6%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tacoma School of the Arts has a median household income of $54,712. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $558,100, with a median rent of $1,478/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Blaine High School Blaine, WA | 6.5 |
| Charles Francis Adams High School Clarkston, WA | 6.5 |
| LAKESIDE SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 6.5 |
| Rainier Beach High School Seattle, WA | 6.5 |
| Elma High School Elma, WA | 6.4 |
| HOLY NAMES ACADEMY Seattle, WA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tacoma School of the Arts
What grades does Tacoma School of the Arts serve?
Tacoma School of the Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Tacoma School of the Arts?
Tacoma School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 648 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tacoma School of the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Tacoma School of the Arts is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tacoma School of the Arts rank in WA?
Tacoma School of the Arts is ranked #1070 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Tacoma School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Tacoma School of the Arts has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Tacoma School of the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tacoma School of the Arts has 14.1% math proficiency and 62.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tacoma School of the Arts a charter school?
No, Tacoma School of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tacoma School of the Arts a Title I school?
No, Tacoma School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tacoma School of the Arts?
55.1% of students at Tacoma School of the Arts 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 (6,715/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 648
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 571-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #35 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 methodologyRelated reading
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