Best Public Schools in Federal Way, WA

The Federal Way School District in Washington state encompasses 29 schools, including 15 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. The district serves a diverse student population and faces a range of academic challenges, with significant performance gaps between the highest and lowest performing schools.

Among the standout schools in the district, Federal Way Public Academy, a middle school, ranks 5 out of 5 stars on the SchoolDigger scale and boasts exceptional test scores, with 91.67% of 10th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, far exceeding the district and state averages. Another high-performing school is Nautilus K-8 School, which ranks 3 out of 5 stars and has strong proficiency rates across grade levels. In contrast, Career Academy at Truman High School struggles, with only 25% of 10th graders proficient in ELA.

The Federal Way School District as a whole faces significant challenges, with district-level metrics consistently lower than state averages across a range of measures, including graduation rates, dropout rates, and test scores. The data suggests a correlation between socioeconomic status and academic outcomes, with many schools having high percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Addressing these disparities and implementing targeted interventions will be crucial for improving educational outcomes for all students in the district.