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Tumwater pano 01Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Tumwater · Tumwater School District

Tumwater’s public schools outscore 80% of Washington districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Tumwater, 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.

#77of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 5 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
44%
▲ 4 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 7 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.2K
▼ 1% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.9
WA 17.7
Schools in town
13
5,147 students on the public path
In brief

Tumwater’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 271 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Tumwater’s, its schools beat 86%, higher than their 80% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,249 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Four elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Washington Connections Academy - Mary M. Knight, 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Tumwater’s grade

A− Test scoresA− Graduation

A−: better than 80% of Washington school districts, #77 of 285 Washington towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Washington average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 80%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (271)Better than 86%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,197 test results and a graduating class of 580 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Tumwater’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,194 in math, 3,200 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–54 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–83 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Tumwater’s public schools are run by Tumwater School District. Parts of Tumwater (4% of its land) are served by Olympia 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.

Tumwater School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 14 schools · 6,350 students, up 1% since 2020–21 · 17.9 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$18,249WA $18,444 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 53.4% · 3200 students tested
Math44%
State average 40.1% · 3194 students tested

Tumwater vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
TumwaterA−Tumwater
OlympiaAOlympia

Every school in Tumwater

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).

District schools in Tumwaterby address
Peter G Schmidt Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
606 students15:1Rate it →
Michael T Simmons Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
457 students13:1Rate it →
Tumwater Hill Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
400 students16:1Rate it →
Black Lake Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Olympia
382 students16:1Rate it →
George Bush Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
762 students18:1Rate it →
Tumwater Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
665 students20:1Rate it →
Thurs Co Juv Det/Tumwater West E
High · Grades 6–12
5 students5:1Rate it →
Tumwater High School
High · Grades 9–12
1,117 students21:1Rate it →
A G West Black Hills High School
High · Grades 9–12
753 students23:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
New Market Skills Center
High · Grades 11–12
Career and Technical
86 studentsRate it →
Cascadia High School
High · Grades 8–12
Alternative Education
134 students23:1Rate it →
New Market High School
High · Grades 10–12
Alternative Education
61 students30:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Tumwaterrun by other districts or the state
ESD 113 Consortium Reengagement Program
High · Grades 11–12
Alternative Education
344 studentsRate it →
Online schools based in Tumwaternot counted as local schools
Washington Connections Academy - Mary M. Knight
Elementary · Grades K–8
Online
600 students24:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Tumwater Virtual Academy).

Questions about Tumwater’s schools

Are Tumwater’s schools good?

By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Tumwater children attend outscore 80% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #77 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 86%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Tumwater in?

Tumwater School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,350 students in 14 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Tumwater are served by Olympia.

Where do Tumwater kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Tumwater High School, A G West Black Hills High School and Thurs Co Juv Det/Tumwater West E.

What is Tumwater’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Tumwater School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Tumwater spend per student?

$18,249 in Tumwater School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Tumwater families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tumwater → 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.