Top Rankings
Fife School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 1,269 students in Fife School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Washington.
Public Middle Schools in Fife School District have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Washington public middle school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public middle school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (WA)
# Schools
7 Schools
800 Schools
# Students
3,916 Students
302,560 Students
# Teachers
215 Teachers
16,189 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Fife School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 306 school districts in Washington (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has increased from 88% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#179 out of 307 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
53%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
49%
Graduation Rate
89%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.78
0.68
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
10%
8%
% Hispanic
23%
25%
% Black
7%
5%
% White
38%
50%
% Hawaiian
8%
1%
% Two or more races
13%
9%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,930 is higher than the state median of $18,796. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $31,753 is higher than the state median of $19,246. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$82 MM
$20,715 MM
Spending
$124 MM
$21,212 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,930
$18,796
Spending / Student
$31,753
$19,246
Best Fife School District Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Columbia Junior High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2901 54th Avenue E
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1600
Tacoma, WA 98424
(253) 517-1600
Grades: 8-9
| 602 students
Rank: #22.
Surprise Lake Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2001 Milton Way
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1300
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 517-1300
Grades: 6-7
| 667 students
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.