Spanaway’s public schools score below 57% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Spanaway’s districts is 33%, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Spanaway, 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 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.
Spanaway’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 276 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Spanaway’s, its schools beat 33%, lower than their 43% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% 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
The district spends $16,236 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bethel Baptist Christian School (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.
What’s behind Spanaway’s grade
C+: better than 43% of Washington school districts, #197 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 Spanaway, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Spanaway · depends on your address
Chester H Thompson Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 688 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Tacoma
Thompson Preschool
Grades PK–K · 227 students · in Tacoma
Bethel Hope Early Learning Center
Grades PK–K · 163 students · 23:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Spanaway · depends on your address
Spanaway Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 766 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Tacoma
Cedarcrest Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 765 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Spanaway · depends on your address
Spanaway Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 766 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Tacoma
Cedarcrest Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 765 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Spanaway · depends on your address
Spanaway Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 766 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Tacoma
Cedarcrest Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 765 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Spanaway
Spanaway Lake High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,787 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Spanaway
Spanaway Lake High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,787 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Spanaway’s public schools are run by Bethel School District, which also serves Roy. 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.
Below the state in reading
Spanaway vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Spanaway’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Spanaway | C+ | Bethel |
Every school in Spanaway
14 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 Spanaway’s schools
Are Spanaway’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Spanaway children attend score below 57% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #197 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 33%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Spanaway in?
Bethel School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 21,450 students in 35 schools (2024–25).
Where do Spanaway kids go to high school?
Spanaway Lake High School, with 1,787 students.
What is Spanaway’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in Bethel School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Spanaway spend per student?
$16,236 in Bethel School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Spanaway?
Yes: Bethel Baptist Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 148 students).
Parents talk
What Spanaway families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Spanaway → 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.