Puyallup Online Academy/POA is a small, alternative public virtual school serving grades K-12 in the Puyallup School District. The school has seen a decline in its white student population in recent years, with increases in Hispanic and multiracial students.
Puyallup Online Academy/POA has made significant progress in improving its four-year graduation rate, which increased from 36.8% in 2018-2019 to 76.7% in 2022-2023. However, the school's dropout rate remains higher than the district and state averages, and its test scores, particularly in English Language Arts, are generally lower than nearby traditional public schools like PSD Special Services. The school serves a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch compared to the district overall.
While Puyallup Online Academy/POA's performance lags behind nearby traditional public schools, it outperforms the virtual Internet Academy in the Federal Way School District in several areas, including graduation rates and test scores. The school also has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, such as the 100% Native American student population at Chief Leschi School. Continued focus on supporting the unique needs of its students and exploring best practices for virtual learning may help Puyallup Online Academy/POA achieve greater success.
Puyallup School District
Puyallup Online Academy/POA ranks 313th of 535 Washington alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.
Students at Puyallup Online Academy/POA are 43% White, 24% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 6% African American, 5% Asian, 3% American Indian, 3% Pacific Islander, 3% Not Specified.
In the 2023-24 school year, 180 students attended Puyallup Online Academy/POA.