Photo: David Brooks (User:DavidBrooks) · CC BY-SA 2.5McChord AFB’s public schools score below 63% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in McChord AFB’s districts is 31%, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving McChord AFB, 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 93% 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.
McChord AFB’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 133 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of McChord AFB’s, its schools beat 54%, higher than their 37% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Bethel spends $16,236 per student and Clover Park $20,525, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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 McChord AFB’s grade
C+: better than 37% of Washington school districts, #216 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 McChord AFB, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in McChord AFB
Carter Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 420 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in JBLM McChord Field
Kindergarten in McChord AFB
Carter Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 420 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in JBLM McChord Field
1st grade in McChord AFB
Carter Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 420 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in JBLM McChord Field
2nd grade in McChord AFB
Carter Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 420 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in JBLM McChord Field
3rd grade in McChord AFB
Carter Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 420 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in JBLM McChord Field
4th grade in McChord AFB
Carter Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 420 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in JBLM McChord Field
5th grade in McChord AFB
Carter Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 420 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in JBLM McChord Field
McChord AFB runs its own schools through grade 12 (Bethel School District). From grade PK, students attend the Clover Park School District, shared with Lakewood. Its middle school is in Lakewood. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve McChord AFB
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
McChord AFB vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share McChord AFB’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| McChord AFB | C+ | Bethel PK–12 · Clover Park PK–12 |
| Lakewood | C | Clover Park |
Every school in McChord AFB
20 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).
Questions about McChord AFB’s schools
Are McChord AFB’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools McChord AFB children attend score below 63% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #216 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 54%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is McChord AFB in?
Two districts: Bethel School District runs grades PK–12, and Clover Park School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Lakewood.
Where do McChord AFB kids go to high school?
One of 9 high schools, depending on your address: Graham Kapowsin High School, Spanaway Lake High School, Bethel High School, Clover Park High School, Lakes High School, General William H. Harrison Preparatory School, Firwood, Transition Day Students and Oakridge Group Home.
What is McChord AFB’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in Bethel School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does McChord AFB spend per student?
$16,236 in Bethel School District and $20,525 in Clover Park School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What McChord AFB families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near McChord AFB → 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.