Des Moines’s public schools score below 78% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Des Moines’s districts is 23%, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Des Moines, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.
From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 89% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Des Moines’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 270 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Des Moines’s, its schools beat 13%, lower than their 22% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 89% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Highline spends $21,280 per student and Federal Way $18,682, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cascade Public Schools, St. Philomena School (private), Holy Trinity Lutheran School (private) and K-School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Des Moines’s grade
C−: better than 22% of Washington school districts, #253 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Des Moines, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Des Moines · depends on your address
Pacific Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 604 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Woodmont K-8 School
Grades K–8 · 402 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Des Moines · depends on your address
Pacific Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 604 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Woodmont K-8 School
Grades K–8 · 402 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Des Moines · depends on your address
Pacific Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 604 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Woodmont K-8 School
Grades K–8 · 402 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Des Moines · depends on your address
Mount Rainier High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,846 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Maritime High School
Grades 9–12 · 126 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Des Moines · depends on your address
Mount Rainier High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,846 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Maritime High School
Grades 9–12 · 126 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Des Moines · depends on your address
Mount Rainier High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,846 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Maritime High School
Grades 9–12 · 126 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Des Moines · depends on your address
Mount Rainier High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,846 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Maritime High School
Grades 9–12 · 126 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Des Moines runs its own schools through grade 12 (Highline School District). From grade PK, students attend the Federal Way School District, shared with Federal Way. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Des Moines
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Des Moines vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Des Moines’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | C− | Highline PK–12 · Federal Way PK–12 |
| Federal Way | C− | Federal Way |
| Kent | B− | Kent |
| SeaTac | C− | Highline |
| Normandy Park | C− | Highline |
| Burien | C− | Highline |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Highline with Des Moines for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Des Moines
12 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Gateway to College).
Questions about Des Moines’s schools
Are Des Moines’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Des Moines children attend score below 78% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #253 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Des Moines in?
Two districts: Highline School District runs grades PK–12, and Federal Way School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Federal Way.
Where do Des Moines kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Mount Rainier High School and Maritime High School.
What is Des Moines’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Federal Way School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Des Moines spend per student?
$21,280 in Highline School District and $18,682 in Federal Way School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Des Moines?
Yes: St. Philomena School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 282 students), Holy Trinity Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 218 students) and K-School (religious, grades 1–12, 38 students). Des Moines also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Des Moines families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Des Moines → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Washington. Stars are from neighbors.