Best Public Schools in Federal Way, WA

The Federal Way School District in Washington state encompasses 30 schools, including 16 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 2 alternative schools, serving a diverse student population. While the district as a whole is ranked 203 out of 249 school districts in the state and rated 1 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger, a few standout schools within the district are worth highlighting.

Federal Way Public Academy, a middle school, ranks 23rd out of 539 middle schools in Washington and is rated 5 out of 5 stars. It boasts exceptional test scores, with 85.71% of 10th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 55.1% proficient or better in Math, far exceeding the district and state averages. Another high-performing school is Nautilus K-8 School, which ranks 582nd out of 1,169 elementary schools in the state and is rated 3 out of 5 stars. It has strong academic performance, with 60.87% of 6th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 52.17% proficient or better in Math.

However, the district also faces significant challenges, with low graduation rates at some high schools, such as Federal Way High School (89.5%) and Decatur High School (86.9%), and much lower rates at the alternative schools. Additionally, the district and state test score averages are low, with only 51.63% of 10th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 19.11% proficient or better in Math, compared to state averages of 65.89% and 33.27%, respectively. The Federal Way School District must work to address these disparities and ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.