Best Public Schools in Puyallup, WA

The city of Puyallup, Washington is home to 37 schools that serve students from elementary through high school, all part of the Puyallup School District. While the district is ranked 88 out of 247 in the state, the data reveals a wide range of performance across the schools, with some standouts and others struggling to meet benchmarks.

At the top of the pack are Puyallup High School and Emerald Ridge High School, both earning 4-star ratings from SchoolDigger and ranking in the top 25% of high schools statewide. These schools boast strong test scores, with over 70% of 10th graders proficient in English Language Arts. On the elementary level, Fruitland Elementary, Shaw Road Elementary, and Ridgecrest Elementary also stand out with 4-star ratings and impressive proficiency rates exceeding 60% in both English and Math.

In contrast, the district's alternative schools, such as Puyallup Open Doors/POD and E B Walker High School, struggle with much lower graduation rates, higher dropout rates, and weaker test scores. Additionally, there appear to be disparities in performance along racial lines, with some of the higher-performing schools having lower percentages of minority students. The district will need to further investigate these equity issues and ensure all students have access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background.