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Below Average

#1906 of 2,225 schools in WA

Tumwater High School

High School · Tumwater School District

700 Israel Road, Tumwater, WA 98501

Enrollment

1,139

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tumwater

#8 of 10

public schools

Washington high schools

#385 of 476

In district

#11 of 12

Tumwater School District

Equity

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Tumwater High School

Tumwater High School serves 1,139 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Tumwater, Washington. With 50 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.8:1, providing a solid educational environment for its large student body. Academically, Tumwater High School demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #516 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 77th percentile statewide.

The school's academic score of 8.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement, with 75% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. The school draws students from a stable community where families have a median household income of $92,005 and 46% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood shows economic strength with a low poverty rate of 7.5% and median home values of $457,500, indicating strong community investment in education.

Located on Israel Road in Thurston County, Tumwater High School sits in a small city setting that combines the benefits of a close-knit community with access to educational and cultural opportunities in the greater South Puget Sound region.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Tumwater High School is 22.8:1, 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-2.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.3%
Math vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.1 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,498

Tumwater High School — Students at Tumwater High School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.5%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 74.4%
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
53%
ELA
82%
2022
ELA
75%
2024
Math
37.3%
ELA
70.3%

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

How Tumwater High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
14th percentile in WA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

Location

700 Israel Road, Tumwater, WA 98501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tumwater High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cascadia High School (rated 5.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is New Market High School (rated 5.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Olympia High School (rated 4.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Olympia), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tumwater, see our Tumwater schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
New Market Skills Center Tumwater 0.3 mi
Cascadia High School Tumwater 0.3 mi 5.7
New Market High School Tumwater 0.3 mi 5.2
ESD 113 Consortium Reengagement Program Tumwater 0.6 mi
Tumwater Middle School Tumwater 0.6 mi 5.3
Peter G Schmidt Elementary Tumwater 0.5 mi 6.6
Washington Connections Academy - Mary M. Knight Tumwater 0.6 mi 4.5
Michael T Simmons Elementary Tumwater 1.4 mi 6.7
George Bush Middle School Tumwater 1.3 mi 5.9
Tumwater Hill Elementary Tumwater 2.1 mi 4.9
A G West Black Hills High School Tumwater 1.6 mi 4.2
Thurs Co Juv Det/Tumwater West E Tumwater 2.5 mi
Olympia High School Olympia 2.7 mi 4.9
SUNRISE BEACH SCHOOL Olympia 2.7 mi 8.2
Lincoln Elementary School Olympia 3.1 mi 6.6
Pioneer Elementary School Olympia 2.9 mi 6.1
Black Lake Elementary Olympia 2.4 mi 5.2
EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Olympia 3.6 mi 5.8
Centennial Elementary Olympia 2.9 mi 5.5
Washington Middle School Olympia 3.3 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,695

Median Home Value

$485,200

Median Rent

$1,600/mo

Population

46,937

College Educated

47.7%

Homeownership

60.7%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tumwater High School has a median household income of $95,695. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $485,200, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma, WA 4.7
Kelso High School Kelso, WA 4.7
Stanwood High School Stanwood, WA 4.7
Grandview High School Grandview, WA 4.8
Lynnwood High School Bothell, WA 4.8
Klahowya Secondary Silverdale, WA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tumwater High School

What grades does Tumwater High School serve?

Tumwater High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Tumwater High School?

Tumwater High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,139 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tumwater High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tumwater High School is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tumwater High School rank in WA?

Tumwater High School is ranked #1906 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Tumwater High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tumwater High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Tumwater High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tumwater High School has 42.5% math proficiency and 74.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tumwater High School a charter school?

No, Tumwater High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Tumwater High School a Title I school?

No, Tumwater High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tumwater High School?

31.9% of students at Tumwater 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
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,278/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,139
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Thurston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tumwater School District
District Enrollment
6,282
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,374
District Rank
#11 of 12

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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