Best Public Schools in Zip Code 98424

This analysis covers four public schools within the Fife School District in the Tacoma, WA area (zip code 98424), serving a total of about 2,400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade across one elementary, one alternative junior high, and two high schools.

Among these schools, Fife High School stands out as the strongest overall performer, with the highest graduation rate and particularly strong English Language Arts scores that exceed both district and state averages. Fife Elementary School shows encouraging improvement in its statewide ranking and leads the group in math proficiency. In contrast, the alternative Fife Open Doors high school has very low graduation and high dropout rates, serving a small population of 25 students with significant economic needs.

All schools in the area serve a substantial number of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, yet Fife High School achieves above-average results. The district faces a common challenge in science, where all schools perform below the state average. Parents should note the significant performance differences between the traditional and alternative school pathways, with the traditional high school and improving elementary school showing the most academic strength.