Photo: ECTran71 · CC BY-SA 4.0Lakewood’s public schools score below 71% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
26% of students in Lakewood’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lakewood, 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 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.
Lakewood’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% 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
The district spends $20,525 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then six middle schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Frances Cabrini School (private) and Lakewood Lutheran School (private) are in town. Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy, 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.
What’s behind Lakewood’s grade
C: better than 29% of Washington school districts, #234 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lakewood, with each school’s own grade.
Lakewood’s public schools are run by Clover Park School District. Parts of Lakewood (5% of its land) are served by Steilacoom Historical 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.
Well below the state in reading
Lakewood vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Lakewood’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | C | Clover Park |
| University Place | A | University Place |
| Tacoma | C+ | Tacoma |
| Steilacoom | A− | Steilacoom Historical |
Every school in Lakewood
26 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: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Northwest Career and Technical High School, Re-Entry High School, Re-Entry Middle School and Special Education Services/relife).
Questions about Lakewood’s schools
Are Lakewood’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lakewood children attend score below 71% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #234 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lakewood in?
Clover Park School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,345 students in 32 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Lakewood are served by Steilacoom Historical.
What is Lakewood’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Clover Park School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Lakewood spend per student?
$20,525 in Clover Park School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lakewood?
Yes: St. Frances Cabrini School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 181 students) and Lakewood Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 54 students).
Parents talk
What Lakewood families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lakewood → 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.