Average
#1653 of 2,228 schools in WA
Tacoma School of the Arts
High School · Tacoma School District
PO Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98402
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,653 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#63 of 88
public schools
In district
#46 of 62
Tacoma School District
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Tacoma School of the Arts
High School in Tacoma · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Comm Based Trans Program
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Special Services
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Tacoma School of the Arts
Tacoma School of the Arts is a public high school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Tacoma School of the Arts serves approximately 648 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Tacoma School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,653 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Tacoma School of the Arts show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- WA avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
Tacoma School of the Arts runs 20.9:1 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.
49% of students at Tacoma School of the Arts 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 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 29 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: 1.6/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bates Technical High School (rated 7.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stadium High School (rated 6.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.5 |
| Special Services Tacoma | 0.2 mi | — |
| Bates Technical High School Tacoma | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Tacoma Open Doors Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| THE COR DEO SCHOOL Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Stadium High School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Edna Travis Elementary School Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Summit Public School: Olympus Seattle | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Bryant Montessori School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Bryant Montessori Middle School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Stanley Elementary School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Willard Early Learning Center Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Hilltop Heritage Middle School Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 9.1 |
| Grant Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Lincoln High School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Whitman Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Foss High School Tacoma, WA | 5.2 |
| Foster Senior High School Tukwila, WA | 5.2 |
| Montesano Jr-Sr High Montesano, WA | 5.2 |
| Meridian High School Bellingham, WA | 5.3 |
| Charles Francis Adams High School Clarkston, WA | 5.1 |
| Colville Senior High School Colville, WA | 5.1 |
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 ranks #1,653 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Tacoma School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Tacoma School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Tacoma School of the Arts?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Tacoma School of the Arts has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.8%
- Phone
- (253) 571-7900
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #46 of 62
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