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Schools in Lakeland South · Federal Way School District, Fife Public Schools

Lakeland South’s public schools score below 72% of Washington districts on tests and graduation

In Lakeland South, 24% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Lakeland South, 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.

#240of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 90% 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
39%
▼ 14 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
24%
▼ 16 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
81%
▼ 3 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.7K
▲ 1% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024 · Federal Way
Students per teacher
18.2
WA 17.7
Schools in town
4
9,526 students on the public path
In brief

Lakeland South’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 233 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lakeland South’s, its schools beat 14%, lower than their 28% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 90% 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

Federal Way spends $18,682 per student and Fife $17,782, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Overcomer Academy (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Lakeland South’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 28% of Washington school districts, #240 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 28%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (233)Better than 14%
C−C+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 12,141 test results and a graduating class of 1,697 could put Lakeland South anywhere from C− to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 90% of Lakeland South’s students in the tested grades sat them (12,123 in math, 12,159 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–8Sequoyah Middle SchoolFederal Way School DistrictNo scores
9–129 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Lakeland South runs its own schools through grade 12 (Federal Way School District). From grade PK, students attend the Fife Public Schools, shared with Fife and Milton. Its high school is in Auburn. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Lakeland South

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

Federal Way School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 43 schools · 22,250 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 18.0 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$18,682WA $18,444 · FY2024
C−
Fife Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 3,983 students, up 25% since 2020–21 · 19.0 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$17,782WA $18,444 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Federal Way School District38%
State average 53.4% · 10156 students tested
Math · PK–12, Federal Way School District23%
State average 40.1% · 10134 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Fife Public Schools47%
State average 53.4% · 2003 students tested
Math · PK–12, Fife Public Schools31%
State average 40.1% · 1989 students tested

Lakeland South vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Lakeland SouthCFederal Way PK–12 · Fife PK–12
Federal WayC−Federal Way
AuburnB−Auburn
MiltonB−Fife
AlgonaB−Auburn
PacificB+Auburn PK–12 · Sumner PK–12
EdgewoodB+Puyallup

Every school in Lakeland South

13 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 Lakeland Southby address
Rainier View Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Federal Way
495 students17:1Rate it →
Lakeland Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Auburn
418 students17:1Rate it →
Sequoyah Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Auburn
570 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Lakeland Southin other towns
Support School
Grades PK–12 · Federal Way
55 studentsRate it →
Technology Access Foundation Academy at Saghalie
High · Grades 6–12 · Federal Way
532 students15:1Rate it →
Federal Way Public Academy
Middle · Grades 6–10 · Federal Way
309 students23:1Rate it →
Thomas Jefferson High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Auburn
1,810 students23:1Rate it →
Federal Way High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Federal Way
1,665 students21:1Rate it →
Todd Beamer High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Federal Way
1,412 students22:1Rate it →
Decatur High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Federal Way
1,352 students21:1Rate it →
Gateway to College
High · Grades 9–12 · Federal Way
23 studentsRate it →
Fife High School
High · Grades 10–12 · Tacoma
885 students23:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Overcomer Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Auburn
Private · Religious
215 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Lakeland South’s schools

Are Lakeland South’s schools good?

On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lakeland South children attend score below 72% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #240 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 14%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Lakeland South in?

Two districts: Federal Way School District runs grades PK–12, and Fife Public Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Fife and Milton.

Where do Lakeland South kids go to high school?

One of 9 high schools, depending on your address: Thomas Jefferson High School, Federal Way High School, Todd Beamer High School, Decatur High School, Fife High School, Technology Access Foundation Academy at Saghalie, Federal Way Public Academy, Support School and Gateway to College.

What is Lakeland South’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 Lakeland South spend per student?

$18,682 in Federal Way School District and $17,782 in Fife Public Schools (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Lakeland South?

Yes: Overcomer Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 215 students).

Parents talk

What Lakeland South families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lakeland South → 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.