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Gig HarborPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, NV, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
A
Schools in Gig Harbor · Peninsula School District

Gig Harbor’s public schools outscore 88% of Washington districts

On the state math tests, 52% of Gig Harbor’s students scored proficient, above the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gig Harbor, 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.

#36of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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
68%
▲ 15 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
52%
▲ 12 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 7 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.2K
▼ 7% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
19.0
WA 17.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
3,382 students on the public path
In brief

Gig Harbor’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 68% and math 52% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,222 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Harbor Ridge Middle School, then Gig Harbor High. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Nicholas Catholic School (private) and Harbor Christian Schools (private) are in town. Henderson Bay Alt High School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Gig Harbor’s grade

A Test scoresA− Graduation

A: better than 88% of Washington school districts, #36 of 285 Washington towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Washington average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 88%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (209)Better than 92%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,360 test results and a graduating class of 780 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Gig Harbor’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,365 in math, 4,356 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–8Harbor Ridge Middle SchoolPeninsula School DistrictNo scores
9–12Gig Harbor HighPeninsula School DistrictNo scores

Gig Harbor’s public schools are run by Peninsula School District. 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.

Peninsula School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 17 schools · 9,015 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 19.0 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$17,222WA $18,444 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading68%
State average 53.4% · 4356 students tested
Math52%
State average 40.1% · 4365 students tested

Gig Harbor vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Gig HarborAPeninsula

Every school in Gig Harbor

8 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 Gig Harborby address
Swift Water Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
519 students17:1Rate it →
Pioneer Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
481 students16:1Rate it →
Discovery Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
380 students18:1Rate it →
Harbor Ridge Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
627 students22:1Rate it →
Gig Harbor High
High · Grades 9–12
1,375 students26:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Gig Harbornot counted as local schools
Henderson Bay Alt High School
High · Grades 9–12
OnlineAlternative Education
139 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Nicholas Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
144 students11:1Rate it →
Harbor Christian Schools
Elementary · Grades 5–7
Private · Religious
4 students3:1Rate it →

Questions about Gig Harbor’s schools

Are Gig Harbor’s schools good?

By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Gig Harbor children attend outscore 88% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #36 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Gig Harbor in?

Peninsula School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,015 students in 17 schools (2024–25).

Where do Gig Harbor kids go to high school?

Gig Harbor High, with 1,375 students.

What is Gig Harbor’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Peninsula School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Gig Harbor spend per student?

$17,222 in Peninsula School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Gig Harbor?

Yes: St. Nicholas Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 144 students) and Harbor Christian Schools (religious, grades 5–7, 4 students).

Parents talk

What Gig Harbor families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gig Harbor → 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.