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Curtis Junior High

Q: Is Curtis Junior High a good school?

Curtis Junior High ranks 92 nd of 534 Washington alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades 8-9

92^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 534 Washington Alternative Schools

Better than 83% of Washington alternative schools

Summary

Curtis Junior High is a high-performing school serving 904 students in grades 8-9 within the highly-rated University Place School District.

Academically, Curtis consistently outperforms state averages, with nearly 70% of students proficient in English Language Arts and over 54% proficient in Math and Science. While labeled an "alternative" school, it functions more like a strong traditional junior high, achieving these results with moderate per-student spending and a student-teacher ratio of 22-to-1. Its success is supported by its placement in a top-tier district, which ranks in the 96th percentile statewide, a significant advantage over the lower-rated districts that surround it.

Comparisons with nearby schools highlight Curtis's strengths. It dramatically outperforms other local alternative and online schools like Internet Academy and Puyallup Online Academy/POA in academic proficiency. Even the closest school, Firwood, shows much lower achievement despite having a much smaller class size. This demonstrates that geographic proximity doesn't guarantee similar school performance, and Curtis stands out as a consistently improving and effective educational option in the region.

904

Students ?

22.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,088

Per pupil spending ?

39.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3725 Grandview Drive West
University Place, WA 98466

(253) 566-5670

District: University Place School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

44.2%

Hispanic:

17.0%

Two or more races:

15.0%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Curtis Junior High to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 76th percentile in 2013 → 83rd in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Washington average (60% vs 48% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 17% of Washington alternative schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 7 percentile points since 2013

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 22 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school60%

District avg65%

Washington avg48%

92^nd of 534

Washington public middle schools ?

Top 17%▲ up 4 pts since 2015

From top 21% (2015) to top 17% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 247University Place School District among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	80.3	92 of 534	82.8%	★★★★☆
2024	77.8	100 of 535	81.3%	★★★★☆
2023	73.6	125 of 539	76.8%	★★★★☆
2022	70.3	135 of 541	75.0%	★★★★☆
2019	87.1	55 of 512	89.3%	★★★★☆
2018	87.2	50 of 437	88.6%	★★★★☆
2017	78.5	85 of 435	80.5%	★★★★☆
2016	77.7	82 of 443	81.5%	★★★★☆
2015	74.0	93 of 445	79.1%	★★★★☆
2013	71.1	122 of 498	75.5%	★★★★☆
2012	76.8	83 of 497	83.3%	★★★★☆
2011	57.0	207 of 492	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	57.0	204 of 483	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	58.7	185 of 476	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	65.8	134 of 466	71.2%	★★★★☆
2007	66.7	123 of 463	73.4%	★★★★☆
2006	60.2	162 of 449	63.9%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	70.6	26 of 101	74.3%	★★★★☆
2024	48.6	41 of 90	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	75.3	22 of 96	77.1%	★★★★☆
2022	76.9	15 of 104	85.6%	★★★★☆
2019	81.8	10 of 111	91.0%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	80.9	30 of 147	79.6%	★★★★☆
2024	62.6	52 of 148	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.0	51 of 145	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	85.9	17 of 161	89.4%	★★★★★
2019	88.4	14 of 152	90.8%	★★★★★
2018	75.4	31 of 123	74.8%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2019	57.7	25 of 100	75.0%	★★★★☆
2018	64.4	15 of 135	88.9%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	82.7	72 of 471	84.7%	★★★★☆
2024	78.5	90 of 464	80.6%	★★★★☆
2023	70.3	122 of 464	73.7%	★★★★☆
2022	66.0	135 of 479	71.8%	★★★★☆
2019	84.7	53 of 452	88.3%	★★★★☆
2018	87.6	39 of 376	89.6%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	89.9	27 of 347	92.2%	★★★★★
2024	81.3	43 of 344	87.5%	★★★★☆
2023	72.4	73 of 336	78.3%	★★★★☆
2022	75.4	58 of 360	83.9%	★★★★☆
2019	89.5	23 of 344	93.3%	★★★★★
2018	94.2	8 of 259	96.9%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	76.4	66 of 457	85.6%	★★★★☆
2024	82.3	46 of 455	89.9%	★★★★★
2023	79.8	43 of 463	90.7%	★★★★★
2022	86.8	28 of 475	94.1%	★★★★★
2019	90.6	11 of 448	97.5%	★★★★★
2018	95.7	9 of 349	97.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	77.5	94 of 472	80.1%	★★★★☆
2024	77.7	88 of 466	81.1%	★★★★☆
2023	74.8	105 of 470	77.7%	★★★★☆
2022	74.6	106 of 480	77.9%	★★★★☆
2019	87.6	48 of 453	89.4%	★★★★☆
2018	85.0	54 of 371	85.4%	★★★★☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	93.6	1 of 46	97.8%	★★★★★
2023	72.5	5 of 40	87.5%	★★★★☆
2022	75.1	8 of 51	84.3%	★★★★☆
2019	93.2	2 of 50	96.0%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	53.8	102 of 246	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.2	75 of 243	69.1%	★★★★☆
2023	65.4	75 of 244	69.3%	★★★★☆
2022	68.8	68 of 257	73.5%	★★★★☆
2019	84.7	30 of 246	87.8%	★★★★☆
2018	76.3	40 of 166	75.9%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	60.4	58 of 179	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.5	86 of 199	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	43.0	94 of 231	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.0	77 of 268	71.3%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	83.1	73 of 488	85.0%	★★★★☆
2024	85.8	58 of 486	88.1%	★★★★☆
2023	76.0	99 of 488	79.7%	★★★★☆
2022	61.9	157 of 488	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	89.2	33 of 470	93.0%	★★★★★
2018	87.8	34 of 325	89.5%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Military Connected (2024)98th percentile+17 vs school

Hispanic (2025)92nd percentile+9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)86th percentile+3 vs school

White (2025)85th percentile~ school

Female (2025)85th percentile~ school

Male (2025)80th percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2025)80th percentile-3 vs school

English Language Learner (2019)75th percentile-14 vs school

African American (2025)74th percentile-9 vs school

Special Education (2024)68th percentile-14 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)59th percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts70%+17 vs state

Science55%+5 vs state

Math54%+12 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a student
Monday, May 25, 2015

Curtis Junior High School has a great and highly supported performing arts program. I am always entertained when I see productions and/or concerts. In 2014 the Algebra I scores were 92% proficient and the Geometry scores were 93% proficient. CJH embraces student creativity with a perfect balance of discipline and fun factor. School has a variety of after school activities and sports to choose from. As a 9th grader you have the opportunity to be apart of the CJH and the CHS environment. The principal's are very involved in making the school a positive learning environment. There is many opportunities to give back working through builders club. The teachers are concerned with students well being and are continually striving to preform better than before. Their honors courses are perfect ways to prepare your student with a Pre- AP (Advanced Placement) course. Overall I love my school! It is fun, the dances are great, no a lot of drama, and a stable learning environment with the newest learning technologies. At Curtis I know i'm being cared for and respected for being an individual. I know it may sound SUPER cliche but I really do love my school and wouldn't want to go anywhere else (Except maybe Sumner cause of the cute boys) but Curtis is for me. Thank you to Ben Zielke (Asst. Principal), Mailie Carr (Asst. Principal), Patricia Bieber (Best Geology, Physics, and Chemistry teacher ever), Shelly Reed (for the great library resources and Builders Club), Erik Evan (excellence in U.S. History and World History), and finally Mrs.Sylvie Hillsberg for always making me feel like i'm wanted and that my talent is appreciated and for never giving up and ALWAYS giving second chances. Mrs.Hillsberg is definitely the best Choir teacher/ Musical Theater Director/ Talent Show adviser I've ever had! Thank you CJH and go Cougs!! Close Quote

Schools Near Curtis Junior High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				WCAS Science (2025)			SBAC English Language Arts (2025)				SBAC Math (2025)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 8th Grade	WCAS Science 11th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 10th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 7th Grade	SBAC Math 8th Grade	SBAC Math 10th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Curtis Junior High	Public, Alternative	8-9	3725 Grandview Drive West	University Place	98466	Pierce County	University Place School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 566-5670	904	40	22.4	39.4%	400 (44.2%)	98 (10.8%)	154 (17.0%)	95 (10.5%)	3 (0.3%)	16 (1.8%)	136 (15.0%)								(n/a)	54.8		54.8		69.7		69.7		54.3		54.3	$15,088	$220	$14,869
Firwood	Public, Alternative	4-12	8805 Steilacoom Blvd SW	Steilacoom	98498	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 756-2522	45	7	6.9	31.1%	29 (64.4%)	3 (6.7%)	9 (20.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (8.9%)								(n/a)		57.1	33.3				13.6				13.6
Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	5504 112th St SW	Lakewood	98499	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(253) 583-5545	162	3	54.0	74.1%	55 (34.0%)	11 (6.8%)	56 (34.6%)	5 (3.1%)	1 (0.6%)	10 (6.2%)	17 (10.5%)								(n/a)					41.7	40.0	31.5					$15,658	$1,295	$14,362
Special Services	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	601 S. 8th Street	Tacoma	98405	Pierce County	Tacoma School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 571-1224	9	0		33.3%	5 (55.6%)	3 (33.3%)	1 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Special Education Services/relife	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	14721 Murray ST	Lakewood	98439	Pierce County	Clover Park School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 583-5170	4	0			1 (25.0%)	1 (25.0%)	2 (50.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)												$8,051	$1,295	$6,756
Columbia Junior High School	Public, Alternative	8-9	2901 54th Avenue E	Tacoma	98424	Pierce County	Fife School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 517-1600	619	30	20.7	56.7%	227 (36.7%)	63 (10.2%)	140 (22.6%)	49 (7.9%)	3 (0.5%)	42 (6.8%)	87 (14.1%)								(n/a)	36.3		36.3		47.7		47.7		29.6		29.6	$16,097	$363	$15,734
Chief Leschi School	Public, Alternative	K-12	5625 52nd Street East	Puyallup	98371	Pierce County	Chief Leschi School	(n/a)	No	No	Yes	(253) 445-6000	633	88	7.1	99.5%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	633 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Support School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	33330 8th Ave S	Federal Way	98003	King County	Federal Way School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 945-2000	55	0		47.3%	18 (32.7%)	9 (16.4%)	14 (25.5%)	7 (12.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.6%)	5 (9.1%)								(n/a)												$6,267	$469	$5,798
Puyallup Online Academy/POA	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	1501 39th Ave SW	Puyallup	98373	Pierce County	Puyallup School District	No	No	Yes	No	(253) 864-5700	199	6	34.3	56.3%	104 (52.3%)	7 (3.5%)	40 (20.1%)	9 (4.5%)	5 (2.5%)	11 (5.5%)	19 (9.5%)								(n/a)	44.4	47.1	46.2	29.4	37.5	42.1	38.0	25.0		11.8	15.2	$15,659	$170	$15,489
PSD Special Services	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	Puyallup School District Speci	Puyallup	98371	Pierce County	Puyallup School District	No	No	No	No	(253) 841-8700	52	0	17.8	44.2%	14 (26.9%)	4 (7.7%)	19 (36.5%)	4 (7.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.9%)	10 (19.2%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Curtis Junior High

What district is Curtis Junior High in?

University Place School District

Is Curtis Junior High a good school?

Curtis Junior High ranks 92^nd of 534 Washington alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Curtis Junior High?

Students at Curtis Junior High are 44% White, 17% Hispanic, 15% Two or more races, 11% African American, 11% Asian, 2% Pacific Islander.

How many students attend Curtis Junior High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 904 students attended Curtis Junior High.

Rate Curtis Junior High!

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Schools in University Place, WA

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.