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Parkland, WA - Trinity Lutheran Church 01Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 4.0
C+
Schools in Parkland · Franklin Pierce School District, Bethel School District

Parkland’s public schools score below 62% of Washington districts on tests and graduation

30% of students in Parkland’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Parkland, 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.

#213of 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
46%
▼ 8 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
30%
▼ 10 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 5 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.2K
▼ 12% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024 · Bethel
Students per teacher
17.8
WA 17.7
Schools in town
9
3,610 students on the public path
In brief

Parkland’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 95% 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

Franklin Pierce spends $19,348 per student and Bethel $16,236, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Parkland Lutheran Church & School (private) and St. Mary's Academy (private) are 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 Parkland’s grade

C+ Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 38% of Washington school districts, #213 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 38%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (235)Better than 41%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 14,370 test results and a graduating class of 1,528 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Parkland’s students in the tested grades sat them (14,344 in math, 14,395 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–54 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–8Perry G Keithley Middle SchoolFranklin Pierce School DistrictNo scores
9–12Washington High SchoolFranklin Pierce School DistrictNo scores

Parkland runs its own schools through grade 12 (Franklin Pierce School District). From grade PK, students attend the Bethel School District, shared with Roy. Parts of Parkland (5% of its land) are served by Clover Park instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Parkland

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

Franklin Pierce School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 14 schools · 7,187 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 16.4 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$19,348WA $18,444 · FY2024
C
Bethel School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 35 schools · 21,450 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 18.4 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$16,236WA $18,444 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Franklin Pierce School District37%
State average 53.4% · 3925 students tested
Math · PK–12, Franklin Pierce School District23%
State average 40.1% · 3907 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Bethel School District49%
State average 53.4% · 10470 students tested
Math · PK–12, Bethel School District33%
State average 40.1% · 10437 students tested

Parkland vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ParklandC+Franklin Pierce PK–12 · Bethel PK–12
TacomaC+Tacoma
LakewoodCClover Park

Every school in Parkland

9 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 Parklandby address
Hewins Early Learning Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK · Tacoma
266 students33:1Rate it →
Brookdale Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Tacoma
483 students15:1Rate it →
James Sales Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Tacoma
387 students16:1Rate it →
Christensen Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Tacoma
346 students15:1Rate it →
Elmhurst Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Tacoma
335 students14:1Rate it →
Perry G Keithley Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Tacoma
804 students18:1Rate it →
Washington High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Tacoma
989 students18:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Parkland Lutheran Church & School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Tacoma
Private · Religious
114 students14:1Rate it →
St. Mary's Academy
Elementary · Grades 1–7 · Tacoma
Private · Catholic
26 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Parkland’s schools

Are Parkland’s schools good?

On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Parkland children attend score below 62% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #213 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 41%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Parkland in?

Two districts: Franklin Pierce School District runs grades PK–12, and Bethel School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Roy.

Where do Parkland kids go to high school?

Washington High School in Tacoma, with 989 students.

What is Parkland’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in Bethel School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Parkland spend per student?

$19,348 in Franklin Pierce School District and $16,236 in Bethel School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Parkland?

Yes: Parkland Lutheran Church & School (religious, grades PK–8, 114 students) and St. Mary's Academy (Catholic, grades 1–7, 26 students).

Parents talk

What Parkland families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Parkland → 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.