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Milton, WA city hallPhoto: SounderBruce · CC BY-SA 4.0
B−
Schools in Milton · Fife Public Schools

Milton’s public schools outscore 53% of Washington districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Milton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 31% of students in Milton’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.

#166of 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
47%
▼ 6 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
31%
▼ 9 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
89%
▲ 5 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.8K
▼ 4% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
19.0
WA 17.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
3,339 students on the public path
In brief

Milton’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 47% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,782 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two elementary, one middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 25% since 2020–21. 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 Milton’s grade

C+ Test scoresB+ Graduation

B−: better than 53% of Washington school districts, #166 of 285 Washington towns. Graduation is above the Washington average; test scores are below it.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 53%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (273)Better than 49%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,996 test results and a graduating class of 293 could put Milton anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Milton’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,989 in math, 2,003 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–2Discovery Primary SchoolFife Public SchoolsNo scores
3–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–7Surprise Lake Middle SchoolFife Public SchoolsNo scores
10–12Fife High Schoolin TacomaNo scores

Milton’s public schools are run by Fife Public Schools, which also serves Fife. Parts of Milton (11% of its land) are served by Federal Way 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.

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

Reading47%
State average 53.4% · 2003 students tested
Math31%
State average 40.1% · 1989 students tested

Milton vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MiltonB−Fife
EdgewoodB+Puyallup
Federal WayC−Federal Way
FifeB+Fife PK–12 · Puyallup PK–12

Every school in Milton

5 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 Miltonby address
Discovery Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
506 students16:1Rate it →
Surprise Lake Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–7
613 students22:1Rate it →
Also serving Miltonin other towns
Fife Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Tacoma
866 students17:1Rate it →
Hedden Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–5 · Edgewood
469 students17:1Rate it →
Fife High School
High · Grades 10–12 · Tacoma
885 students23:1Rate it →

Questions about Milton’s schools

Are Milton’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Washington: the public schools Milton children attend outscore 53% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #166 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 49%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Milton in?

Fife Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,983 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Milton are served by Federal Way.

Where do Milton kids go to high school?

Fife High School in Tacoma, with 885 students.

What is Milton’s graduation rate?

89% of the class of 2023 in Fife Public Schools graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Milton spend per student?

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

Parents talk

What Milton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Milton → 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.