Photo: Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0University Place’s public schools outscore 92% of Washington districts
On the state math tests, 56% of University Place’s students scored proficient, above the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving University Place, 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 96% 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.
University Place’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 271 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of University Place’s, its schools beat 97%, higher than their 92% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 70% and math 56% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,417 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Charles Wright Academy (private), Heritage Christian School (private) and Montessori in Motion (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.
What’s behind University Place’s grade
A: better than 92% of Washington school districts, #24 of 285 Washington towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Washington average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve University Place, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in University Place · depends on your address
Sunset Primary
Grades PK–4 · 548 students · 17:1 students per teacher
University Place Primary
Grades PK–4 · 522 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in University Pla
Evergreen Primary
Grades PK–4 · 516 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in University Place · depends on your address
Narrows View Intermediate
Grades 5–7 · 692 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in University Pla
Drum Intermediate
Grades 5–7 · 639 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in University Pla
6th grade in University Place · depends on your address
Narrows View Intermediate
Grades 5–7 · 692 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in University Pla
Drum Intermediate
Grades 5–7 · 639 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in University Pla
7th grade in University Place · depends on your address
Narrows View Intermediate
Grades 5–7 · 692 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in University Pla
Drum Intermediate
Grades 5–7 · 639 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in University Pla
8th grade in University Place
Curtis Junior High
Grades 8–9 · 904 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in University Place
Curtis Junior High
Grades 8–9 · 904 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in University Place
Curtis Senior High
Grades 10–12 · 1,321 students · 25:1 students per teacher
11th grade in University Place
Curtis Senior High
Grades 10–12 · 1,321 students · 25:1 students per teacher
12th grade in University Place
Curtis Senior High
Grades 10–12 · 1,321 students · 25:1 students per teacher
University Place’s public schools are run by University Place School District. Parts of University Place (12% and 5% of its land) are served by Tacoma and Steilacoom Historical 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.
Well above the state in reading
University Place vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share University Place’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| University Place | A | University Place |
| Lakewood | C | Clover Park |
| Tacoma | C+ | Tacoma |
| Fircrest | C+ | Tacoma |
| Steilacoom | A− | Steilacoom Historical |
Every school in University Place
11 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 University Place’s schools
Are University Place’s schools good?
By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools University Place children attend outscore 92% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #24 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 97%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is University Place in?
University Place School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,635 students in 8 schools (2024–25). Small parts of University Place are served by Tacoma and Steilacoom Historical.
Where do University Place kids go to high school?
Curtis Senior High, with 1,321 students.
What is University Place’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in University Place School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does University Place spend per student?
$16,417 in University Place School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in University Place?
Yes: Charles Wright Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 566 students), Heritage Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 204 students) and Montessori in Motion (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 112 students).
Parents talk
What University Place families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near University Place → 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.