Below Average
#1988 of 2,228 schools in WA
Washington High School
High School · Franklin Pierce School District
12420 Ainsworth Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Enrollment
1,024
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,024
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,988 of 2,228
In Tacoma
#81 of 88
public schools
In district
#11 of 14
Franklin Pierce School District
Shortlisting around Washington High School?
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Washington High School
High School in Tacoma · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Perry G Keithley Middle School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
James Sales Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Washington High School
Washington High School is a public high school in Tacoma, WA, part of Franklin Pierce School District. Washington High School serves approximately 1,024 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Washington High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,988 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Washington High School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 5.8
- WA avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
46% of students at Washington 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 metricsView breakdown
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Washington High School — Students at Washington High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
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: 2.7/10.
How Washington High School Compares
See how Washington High School 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
12420 Ainsworth Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Washington High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gates Secondary School (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Acceleration Academy (rated 3.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma | 0.2 mi | 4.0 |
| James Sales Elementary Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Learning Center Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.6 mi | — |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Spanaway Middle School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Spanaway Elementary Spanaway | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Baker Middle School Tacoma | 2.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Thompson Preschool Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Clover Park Early Learning Program Lakewood | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98444 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,464
Median Home Value
$369,500
Median Rent
$1,581/mo
Population
35,660
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
45.8%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
34.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A G West Black Hills High School Tumwater, WA | 4.2 |
| Centralia High School Centralia, WA | 4.2 |
| Lakes High School Lakewood, WA | 4.2 |
| West Valley High School Spokane, WA | 4.2 |
| Ferndale High School Ferndale, WA | 4.3 |
| Quincy High School Quincy, WA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Washington High School
What grades does Washington High School serve?
Washington High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Washington High School?
Washington High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,024 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Washington High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Washington High School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Washington High School rank in WA?
Washington High School ranks #1,988 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Washington High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Washington High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Washington High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Washington High School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Washington High School a charter school?
No, Washington High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Washington High School a Title I school?
No, Washington High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Washington High School?
70.8% of students at Washington 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,024
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.3%
- Phone
- (253) 298-4705
Resources & Links
District
Franklin Pierce School District- District Enrollment
- 7,296
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,065
- District Rank
- #11 of 14
Other Schools in This District
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