Top Rankings
Fife School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 3,916 students in Fife School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Washington.
Public Schools in Fife School District have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 53% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public school average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (WA)
# Schools
7 Schools
2,565 Schools
# Students
3,916 Students
1,102,128 Students
# Teachers
215 Teachers
62,276 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Fife School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 306 school districts in Washington (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has increased from 88% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#179 out of 307 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
53%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
49%
Graduation Rate
89%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.78
0.69
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
10%
9%
% Hispanic
23%
26%
% Black
7%
5%
% White
38%
48%
% Hawaiian
8%
2%
% Two or more races
13%
9%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,930 is higher than the state median of $18,796. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $31,753 is higher than the state median of $19,246. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$82 MM
$20,715 MM
Spending
$124 MM
$21,212 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,930
$18,796
Spending / Student
$31,753
$19,246
Best Fife School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Hedden Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
11313 8th St E
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 517-1500
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 517-1500
Gr: 3-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #22.
Fife High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5616 20th St E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1100
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1100
Gr: 10-12 | 864 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #33.
Fife Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5804 20th Street E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1400
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1400
Gr: K-5 | 816 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
Columbia Junior High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2901 54th Avenue E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1600
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1600
Gr: 8-9 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #55.
Surprise Lake Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2001 Milton Way
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1300
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1300
Gr: 6-7 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: n/an/a
1205 19th Avenue
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1200
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1200
Gr: PK-2 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: n/an/a
Fife Open Doors
Alternative School
5802 20th Street East
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1000
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1000
Gr: 10-12 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 79%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Fife School District?
Fife School District manages 7 public schools serving 3,916 students.
What is the rank of Fife School District?
Fife School District is ranked #194 out of 306 school districts in Washington (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Washington school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Fife School District?
38% of Fife School District students are White, 23% of students are Hispanic, 13% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Asian, 8% of students are Hawaiian, 7% of students are Black, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Fife School District?
Fife School District has a student/teacher ratio of 18:1, which is equal to the Washington state average of 18:1.
What is Fife School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $31,753 is higher than the state median of $19,246. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.