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Schools in Fircrest · Tacoma Public Schools

Fircrest’s public schools score below 56% of Washington districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Fircrest’s districts is 31%, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Fircrest, 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.

#193of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 86% 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.

Reading proficiency
47%
▼ 6 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
31%
▼ 9 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
83%
▼ 1 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.6K
▲ 6% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.5
WA 17.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
8,766 students on the public path
In brief

Fircrest’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 229 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Fircrest’s, its schools beat 31%, lower than their 44% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 47% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 86% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $19,619 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and nine high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Fircrest’s grade

C+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

C+: better than 44% of Washington school districts, #193 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 44%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (229)Better than 31%
C+B−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 12,812 test results and a graduating class of 2,068 could put Fircrest anywhere from C+ to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 86% of Fircrest’s students in the tested grades sat them (12,793 in math, 12,832 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Fircrest, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–3Whittier Elementary SchoolTacoma Public SchoolsNo scores
4–8Wainwright Intermediate SchoolTacoma Public SchoolsNo scores
9–129 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Fircrest’s public schools are run by Tacoma Public Schools, which also serves Ruston and Tacoma. Parts of Fircrest (13% of its land) are served by University Place instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Tacoma Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 64 schools · 28,847 students · 18.5 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$19,619WA $18,444 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading47%
State average 53.4% · 12832 students tested
Math31%
State average 40.1% · 12793 students tested

Fircrest vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Fircrest’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
FircrestC+Tacoma
University PlaceAUniversity Place
TacomaC+Tacoma

Every school in Fircrest

11 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).

District schools in Fircrestby address
Whittier Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–3 · Tacoma
305 students18:1Rate it →
Wainwright Intermediate School
Middle · Grades 4–8 · Tacoma
368 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Fircrestin other towns
Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center
High · Grades 6–12 · Tacoma
21 students21:1Rate it →
Stadium High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
1,700 students23:1Rate it →
Lincoln High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
1,556 students21:1Rate it →
Mount Tahoma High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
1,410 students21:1Rate it →
Dr. Dolores Silas High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
1,160 students23:1Rate it →
Tacoma School of the Arts
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
658 students20:1Rate it →
Foss High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
599 students19:1Rate it →
Science and Math Institute
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
597 students21:1Rate it →
Industrial Design Engineering and Arts
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
392 students18:1Rate it →

Questions about Fircrest’s schools

Are Fircrest’s schools good?

On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Fircrest children attend score below 56% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #193 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fircrest in?

Tacoma Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 28,847 students in 64 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Fircrest are served by University Place.

Where do Fircrest kids go to high school?

One of 9 high schools, depending on your address: Stadium High School, Lincoln High School, Mount Tahoma High School, Dr. Dolores Silas High School, Tacoma School of the Arts, Foss High School, Science and Math Institute, Industrial Design Engineering and Arts and Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center.

What is Fircrest’s graduation rate?

83% of the class of 2023 in Tacoma Public Schools graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Fircrest spend per student?

$19,619 in Tacoma Public Schools (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Fircrest families are saying about school.

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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.