Summary:
ZIP code 98576 contains three public schools serving students from prekindergarten through grade 12: Rainier Elementary School (PK–5), Rainier Middle School (6–8), and Rainier Senior High School (9–12). Together, they enroll 1,017 students and are part of the Rainier School District, which ranks at the 71st percentile among Washington districts.
School performance varies across the area. Rainier Senior High School is the strongest overall, ranking at the 76th percentile statewide. Its 2025–2026 proficiency rates were especially strong in English language arts (67.19%) and science (63.75%), although math was weaker at 36.36%. Rainier Elementary School ranked at the 60th percentile and had the area’s strongest math performance, with 50.69% of students proficient—above the state rate. Its science results were also above average. Historically, the high school reported a 95% graduation rate for 2022–2023, though more recent school-level graduation data were not provided.
Rainier Middle School is the main area of concern, ranking at the 44th percentile. Its 2025–2026 results were below the state in every subject: 45.13% in English language arts, 30.80% in math, and 43.75% in science. Math is the clearest districtwide challenge because performance drops sharply after elementary school and remains below the state average in high school. Fifth-grade math at the elementary school also fell to 39.73%, suggesting that the transition into middle school deserves attention. The middle school has the highest student–teacher ratio, at 20.9, compared with 16.5 at the elementary school and 18.1 at the high school. Parents may want to examine math support, class sizes, and transition programs, while also noting the district’s strong high-school literacy and science outcomes.
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