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Fife School District

Item: Fife School District
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

1720 Oak St
Milton, WA 98354

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (253) 517-1000

www.fifeschools.com

Top Rankings

Fife School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Washington for:

Overview

This School District

This State (WA)

# Schools

7 Schools

2,555 Schools

# Students

3,983 Students

1,096,728 Students

# Teachers

209 Teachers

60,938 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

19:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Fife School District	Washington
Pre-K	50	67
Kind	292	229
1	280	220
2	300	234
3	299	245
4	301	234
5	319	241
6	299	242
7	314	241
8	327	243
9	292	250
10	305	257
11	288	261
12	317	280

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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.

This School District

State Average (WA)

#179 out of 307 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Fife School District
2023	#179
2022	#187
2021	#153
2019	#153
2018	#122
2017	#134
2016	#120
2015	#106
2014	#152
2013	#140
2012	#201

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32%

41%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	32%	41%
2022	31%	40%
2019	44%	50%
2018	48%	51%
2017	46%	51%
2016	47%	51%
2015	44%	49%
2014	58%	65%
2013	57%	64%
2012	51%	63%
2011	51%	60%

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47%

53%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2022	47%	53%
2019	57%	61%
2018	48%	61%
2017	57%	61%
2016	60%	62%
2015	58%	56%
2014	71%	74%
2013	71%	73%
2012	65%	72%
2011	67%	70%
2010	65%	70%

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43%

49%

89%

84%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	89%	84%
2022	88%	84%
2019	94%	84%
2018	95%	88%
2017	88%	82%
2016	86%	81%
2015	77%	81%
2014	84%	80%
2013	78%	78%
2012	79%	78%
2011	75%	77%

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(2022-23)

32.3%

34.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	32.3%	34.7%
2022	18.6%	18.4%
2021	23%	24.3%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.78

0.69

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	0.77	0.68
2022	0.77	0.68
2021	0.75	0.67
2020	0.73	0.65
2019	0.73	0.65
2018	0.69	0.64
2017	0.69	0.64
2016	0.67	0.63
2015	0.66	0.62
2014	0.65	0.61
2013	0.65	0.61
2012	0.64	0.60
2011	0.62	0.58
2010	0.56	0.56
2009	0.56	0.55
2008	0.54	0.54
2007	0.52	0.51
2006	0.51	0.49
2005	0.47	0.49
2004	0.44	0.48
2003	0.41	0.47
2002	0.37	0.45
2001	0.37	0.44
2000	0.35	0.42
1999	0.34	0.40
1998	0.33	0.40
1997	0.31	0.39
1996	0.31	0.39
1995	0.29	0.36
1994	0.25	0.35
1993	0.25	0.34
1992	0.21	0.33
1991	0.22	0.32

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2021	1%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2015	1%	1%
2014	2%	1%
2013	2%	1%
2012	1%	2%
2011	1%	2%
2010	4%	4%
2009	5%	4%
2008	4%	4%
2007	5%	4%
2006	4%	3%
2005	5%	3%
2004	4%	3%
2003	4%	3%
2002	3%	3%
2001	4%	4%
2000	5%	3%
1999	4%	3%
1998	5%	3%
1997	5%	3%
1996	5%	3%
1995	5%	3%
1994	4%	3%
1993	5%	3%
1992	3%	3%
1991	4%	2%
1990	4%	3%

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% Asian

10%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	10%	9%
2022	9%	9%
2021	9%	8%
2020	8%	8%
2019	8%	8%
2018	8%	8%
2017	8%	8%
2016	9%	8%
2015	7%	8%
2014	8%	7%
2013	8%	8%
2012	8%	7%
2011	8%	7%
2010	13%	10%
2009	12%	10%
2008	13%	9%
2007	12%	8%
2006	11%	8%
2005	9%	8%
2004	8%	8%
2003	6%	8%
2002	6%	8%
2001	5%	7%
2000	5%	7%
1999	4%	7%
1998	4%	7%
1997	4%	7%
1996	4%	7%
1995	3%	6%
1994	3%	6%
1993	3%	6%
1992	2%	6%
1991	3%	6%

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% Hispanic

24%

27%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	24%	26%
2022	24%	25%
2021	22%	25%
2020	21%	24%
2019	21%	24%
2018	20%	23%
2017	20%	23%
2016	20%	22%
2015	20%	22%
2014	19%	21%
2013	18%	20%
2012	18%	20%
2011	17%	18%
2010	15%	16%
2009	15%	16%
2008	14%	15%
2007	12%	14%
2006	12%	14%
2005	10%	13%
2004	10%	12%
2003	10%	12%
2002	8%	11%
2001	8%	10%
2000	7%	10%
1999	7%	9%
1998	7%	9%
1997	7%	8%
1996	6%	8%
1995	5%	7%
1994	4%	7%
1993	4%	6%
1992	4%	6%
1991	3%	6%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	8%	5%
2022	6%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2020	5%	5%
2019	5%	5%
2018	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	3%	4%
2014	3%	5%
2013	3%	5%
2012	4%	5%
2011	4%	5%
2010	5%	6%
2009	5%	5%
2008	5%	6%
2007	4%	6%
2006	5%	6%
2005	5%	6%
2004	5%	6%
2003	4%	6%
2002	4%	5%
2001	4%	5%
2000	3%	5%
1999	4%	5%
1998	3%	5%
1997	2%	5%
1996	3%	4%
1995	3%	5%
1994	3%	4%
1993	2%	4%
1992	2%	4%
1991	2%	4%

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% White

37%

47%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	39%	49%
2022	37%	50%
2021	41%	51%
2020	45%	53%
2019	45%	53%
2018	50%	55%
2017	50%	55%
2016	51%	56%
2015	53%	57%
2014	54%	58%
2013	55%	59%
2012	56%	60%
2011	58%	63%
2010	63%	64%
2009	63%	65%
2008	64%	66%
2007	67%	68%
2006	68%	69%
2005	71%	70%
2004	73%	71%
2003	76%	71%
2002	79%	73%
2001	79%	74%
2000	80%	75%
1999	81%	76%
1998	81%	76%
1997	82%	77%
1996	82%	78%
1995	84%	79%
1994	86%	80%
1993	86%	81%
1992	89%	81%
1991	88%	82%

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% Hawaiian

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	8%	1%
2022	8%	1%
2021	7%	1%
2020	6%	1%
2019	6%	1%
2018	4%	1%
2017	4%	1%
2016	4%	1%
2015	3%	1%
2014	3%	1%
2013	3%	1%

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% Two or more races

13%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	10%	9%
2022	15%	9%
2021	15%	9%
2020	14%	8%
2019	14%	8%
2018	14%	8%
2017	14%	8%
2016	13%	7%
2015	13%	7%
2014	11%	7%
2013	11%	6%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $20,578 is higher than the state median of $18,888. The school district revenue/student has grown by 13% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $31,219 is higher than the state median of $19,341. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (WA)

Total Revenue

$82 MM

$20,715 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	$82 MM	$18 MM
2022	$71 MM	$18 MM
2021	$82 MM	$18 MM
2020	$71 MM	$18 MM
2019	$65 MM	$16 MM
2018	$53 MM	$13 MM
2017	$47 MM	$13 MM
2016	$45 MM	$14 MM
2015	$36 MM	$12 MM
2014	$40 MM	$12 MM
2012	$37 MM	$12 MM
2011	$36 MM	$12 MM
2010	$36 MM	$12 MM
2009	$36 MM	$12 MM
2008	$36 MM	$11 MM
2007	$36 MM	$10 MM
2006	$35 MM	$10 MM
2005	$31 MM	$9 MM
2004	$29 MM	$9 MM
2003	$28 MM	$9 MM
2002	$28 MM	$9 MM
2001	$25 MM	$9 MM
2000	$21 MM	$8 MM
1999	$20 MM	$8 MM
1998	$19 MM	$7 MM
1997	$18 MM	$7 MM
1996	$17 MM	$7 MM
1995	$16 MM	$6 MM

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Spending

$124 MM

$21,212 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	$124 MM	$15 MM
2022	$122 MM	$17 MM
2021	$124 MM	$15 MM
2020	$122 MM	$17 MM
2019	$65 MM	$16 MM
2018	$48 MM	$14 MM
2017	$43 MM	$13 MM
2016	$41 MM	$13 MM
2015	$34 MM	$10 MM
2014	$37 MM	$11 MM
2012	$34 MM	$12 MM
2011	$35 MM	$11 MM
2010	$34 MM	$10 MM
2009	$33 MM	$11 MM
2008	$33 MM	$11 MM
2007	$34 MM	$10 MM
2006	$29 MM	$9 MM
2005	$28 MM	$9 MM
2004	$30 MM	$9 MM
2003	$39 MM	$8 MM
2002	$30 MM	$9 MM
2001	$32 MM	$9 MM
2000	$21 MM	$8 MM
1999	$19 MM	$8 MM
1998	$18 MM	$7 MM
1997	$18 MM	$7 MM
1996	$16 MM	$7 MM
1995	$16 MM	$6 MM

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Revenue / Student

$20,578

$18,888

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	$21,054	$20,861
2022	$18,097	$20,595
2021	$21,689	$22,261
2020	$18,097	$20,595
2018	$13,688	$17,034
2017	$12,751	$16,266
2016	$12,266	$16,359
2015	$9,775	$11,994
2014	$11,262	$12,940
2012	$10,354	$12,445
2011	$10,275	$12,577
2010	$10,059	$11,994
2009	$10,230	$12,260
2008	$10,273	$11,273
2007	$10,729	$10,323
2006	$10,523	$9,385
2005	$9,524	$8,889
2004	$8,976	$9,060
2003	$8,919	$8,698
2002	$8,987	$7,902
2001	$8,497	$8,010
2000	$7,573	$7,416
1999	$7,204	$7,257
1998	$7,211	$6,806
1997	$6,961	$6,273
1995	$6,378	$5,897
1992	$5,868	$5,711
1990	$4,197	$4,869

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Spending / Student

$31,219

$19,341

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Fife School District	Washington
2023	$31,941	$17,883
2022	$31,314	$19,584
2021	$32,904	$19,082
2020	$31,314	$19,584
2018	$12,538	$17,238
2017	$11,530	$16,506
2016	$11,017	$15,517
2015	$9,330	$10,499
2014	$10,454	$12,404
2012	$9,626	$11,905
2011	$9,933	$11,693
2010	$9,601	$10,499
2009	$9,344	$11,231
2008	$9,523	$11,125
2007	$10,265	$9,967
2006	$8,921	$8,893
2005	$8,776	$8,879
2004	$9,312	$8,617
2003	$12,389	$8,253
2002	$9,513	$7,974
2001	$10,999	$8,055
2000	$7,408	$7,278
1999	$6,599	$7,029
1998	$6,774	$6,800
1997	$6,774	$6,422
1995	$6,435	$6,024
1992	$12,199	$6,438
1990	$4,163	$4,978

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Best Fife School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Hedden Elementary School

(Math: 54% | Reading: 47%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

11313 8th St E
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253) 517-1500

Gr: 3-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%

Rank: #22.

Fife High School

(Math: 26% | Reading: 76%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

5616 20th St E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1100

Gr: 10-12 | 885 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 61%

Rank: #33.

Fife Elementary School

(Math: 34% | Reading: 37%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

5804 20th Street E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1400

Gr: K-5 | 866 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 71%

Rank: #44.

Columbia Junior High School

(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

2901 54th Avenue E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1600

Gr: 8-9 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 63%

Rank: #55.

Surprise Lake Middle School

(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

2001 Milton Way
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1300

Gr: 6-7 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 62%

Rank: n/an/a

Discovery Primary School

Add to Compare

1205 19th Avenue
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1200

Gr: PK-2 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%

Rank: n/an/a

Fife Open Doors

Alternative School

Add to Compare

5802 20th Street East
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1000

Gr: 10-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 80%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Fife School District?

Fife School District manages 7 public schools serving 3,983 students.

What is the rank of Fife School District?

Fife School District is ranked #196 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?

37% of Fife School District students are White, 24% of students are Hispanic, 13% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Asian, 8% of students are Black, 7% of students are Hawaiian, 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 19:1, which is higher than the Washington state average of 18:1.

What is Fife School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $31,219 is higher than the state median of $19,341. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 7 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 3,983 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Minority Enrollment: 63%
: 89% (Top 20% in WA)
: Bottom 50%
: 32% (Btm 50%)
: 47% (Btm 50%)
: 43% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WA Dept. of Education