Best Public Schools in Puyallup, WA

The Puyallup, Washington area is home to a diverse set of 37 schools, including 22 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 6 high schools, and 3 alternative schools. These schools serve students across a range of socioeconomic backgrounds and academic abilities, with some standout performers and others struggling to meet state averages.

Among the top-performing schools in the area are Puyallup High School, which ranks 105th out of 442 high schools in Washington and has a 4-star rating, as well as Shaw Road Elementary and Fruitland Elementary, both of which rank in the top 255 and 181 elementary schools in the state, respectively, and also hold 4-star ratings. These schools demonstrate exceptional academic performance, with 70-80% of students proficient in core subjects like English Language Arts, Math, and Science.

In contrast, some schools in the Puyallup School District and the Chief Leschi School district struggle to meet state averages, with lower test scores and higher rates of free/reduced lunch eligibility, which can be an indicator of socioeconomic challenges. The data also reveals significant disparities in per-student spending, ranging from $10,393 at Puyallup Online Academy to $28,442 at Puyallup Open Doors, suggesting potential funding inequities that may impact educational opportunities across the region.