Summary:
This analysis covers 10 public schools within the Clover Park School District in the Lakewood, WA area (zip code 98499), serving about 4,600 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in a community with high economic need.
Academic performance across the district is generally low, with most schools ranking in the bottom third of the state, but there is one clear standout: General William H. Harrison Preparatory School. This 6-12 school performs near or above state averages in core subjects, making it the top choice for families. In stark contrast, Lochburn Middle School is the lowest-ranked middle school in the state, indicating a major academic challenge in the middle grades. The district's comprehensive high school, Clover Park High School, presents a paradox with an excellent 95% graduation rate but very low standardized test scores.
Overall, families should know that while the district invests significant funds per student, this has not translated to broad academic success, with nine of the ten schools performing well below state averages. The alternative schools, like CPSD Open Doors Program and Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy, serve specific, at-risk populations with very different models and results. For parents, the key takeaway is the significant performance variation between schools, with Harrison Prep being the notable exception in a district otherwise struggling to meet state academic benchmarks.
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