Federal Way High School

Summary:

Federal Way High School is a public high school serving 1,640 students in grades 9-12 in Federal Way, Washington, which is part of the Federal Way School District. The school stands out for its highly diverse student population, with over 75% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, but its academic performance lags behind nearby schools and the state average.

Federal Way High School's student body is 41.4% Hispanic, 18.6% African American, 10.37% Asian, and 6.16% Pacific Islander, making it significantly more diverse than neighboring schools like Decatur High School and Todd Beamer High School. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, lags behind the state and district averages, with only 54.55% of 10th-grade students proficient in English Language Arts and just 14.38% proficient in math.

Federal Way High School has also seen a decline in its four-year graduation rates, from 92.4% in 2019-2020 to 89.5% in 2022-2023, which is still higher than nearby Career Academy at Truman High School (79.4%) but lower than the state average. The school's dropout rate has also increased, from 5.1% in 2019-2020 to 8.4% in 2022-2023, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support programs to address the unique challenges faced by the diverse student population.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 30611 16th Av S
       Federal Way, WA  98003-4126


(253) 945-5400

District: Federal Way School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
371st of 437 Washington High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,973 Help


Feeder schools for Federal Way High School:

Elementary:    Lake Grove Elementary School
    Nautilus K-8 School
    Wildwood Elementary School
    Woodmont K-8 School
Middle:    Sacajawea Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  20.9 Help
Number of students:  1,640

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
41.4%
African American:
18.6%
White:
14.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  75.4% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Federal Way High School ranks worse than 84.9% of high schools in Washington. It also ranks 3rd among 6 ranked high schools in the Federal Way School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.02. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Federal Way High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Federal Way High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (41.4%), African American (18.6%), White (14.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 75.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Federal Way High School is 20.9, which is the 5th best among 6 high schools in the Federal Way School District. (See more...)
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Compare Federal Way High School employs 78.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Federal Way High School is $18,973. 6 high schools in the Federal Way School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Federal Way High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Federal Way High School 371st of 437 Washington public high schools. (See Federal Way High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Federal Way School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Federal Way School District 213th of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Federal Way High School

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Rank History for all students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 55.76 191st 390 51.0%
2005 57.44 189th 394 52.0%
2006 46.12 252nd 395 36.2%
2007 54.96 204th 399 48.9%
2008 68.87 117th 396 70.5%
2009 59.37 191st 402 52.5%
2010 42.62 270th 423 36.2%
2011 32.54 309th 440 29.8%
2012 31.15 332nd 450 26.2%
2013 36.05 330th 454 27.3%
2015 19.03 300th 341 12.0%
2016 32.84 233rd 306 23.9%
2017 29.44 230th 301 23.6%
2018 23.21 264th 315 16.2%
2019 20.54 350th 417 16.1%
2021 16.61 397th 455 12.7%
2022 22.62 344th 434 20.7%
2023 19.11 377th 442 14.7%
2024 18.02 371st 437 15.1%
See the entire list of Washington High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.04 76th 91 16.5%
2019 26.76 131st 163 19.6%
2021 18.52 174th 195 10.8%
2022 13.25 167th 179 6.7%
2023 15.79 151st 166 9.0%
2024 9.50 154th 161 4.3%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.85 52nd 65 20.0%
2021 31.24 73rd 102 28.4%
2024 46.28 30th 68 55.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 21.01 187th 212 11.8%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.87 213th 227 6.2%
2019 18.10 311th 344 9.6%
2021 16.50 365th 392 6.9%
2022 23.17 309th 370 16.5%
2023 21.15 309th 362 14.6%
2024 21.09 301st 356 15.4%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 14.96 42nd 45 6.7%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.78 216th 243 11.1%
2019 21.20 299th 358 16.5%
2021 12.99 358th 390 8.2%
2022 23.03 301st 368 18.2%
2023 26.48 272nd 357 23.8%
2024 16.44 306th 347 11.8%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.15 217th 254 14.6%
2019 17.39 311th 355 12.4%
2021 19.12 336th 395 14.9%
2022 17.87 310th 363 14.6%
2023 11.10 336th 358 6.1%
2024 16.02 322nd 362 11.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.53 77th 87 11.5%
2019 6.11 117th 121 3.3%
2021 21.49 111th 136 18.4%
2022 17.36 113th 124 8.9%
2023 15.24 104th 118 11.9%
2024 24.58 88th 113 22.1%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.57 45th 54 16.7%
2019 24.86 72nd 86 16.3%
2021 19.77 98th 111 11.7%
2022 23.27 72nd 89 19.1%
2023 27.15 61st 78 21.8%
2024 17.63 60th 70 14.3%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.65 141st 156 9.6%
2019 20.15 209th 241 13.3%
2021 25.84 221st 278 20.5%
2022 32.90 180th 261 31.0%
2023 22.01 207th 249 16.9%
2024 23.45 208th 248 16.1%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 25.08 27th 33 18.2%
2022 55.62 7th 17 58.8%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Federal Way High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.69 127th 222 42.8%
2019 40.29 245th 382 35.9%
2021 34.20 278th 413 32.7%
2022 28.58 304th 390 22.1%
2023 31.63 278th 379 26.6%
2024 24.10 306th 374 18.2%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Federal Way High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Federal Way High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1023 48 139 23 6 n/a n/a 0 1239
1989 964 47 146 21 7 n/a n/a 0 1185
1990 928 42 157 27 3 n/a n/a 0 1157
1991 915 58 153 34 8 n/a n/a 0 1168
1992 952 70 156 38 12 n/a n/a 0 1228
1993 971 83 168 41 11 n/a n/a 0 1274
1994 921 87 199 38 16 n/a n/a 0 1261
1995 894 126 221 46 17 n/a n/a 0 1304
1996 894 126 221 46 17 n/a n/a 0 1304
1997 919 121 221 44 14 n/a n/a 0 1319
1998 943 95 252 49 12 n/a n/a 0 1351
1999 960 109 244 47 17 n/a n/a 0 1377
2000 986 120 238 65 11 n/a n/a 0 1420
2001 1023 130 270 78 13 n/a n/a 0 1514
2002 983 189 298 93 15 n/a n/a 0 1578
2003 983 189 298 93 15 n/a n/a 0 1578
2004 944 253 311 157 21 n/a n/a 0 1686
2005 841 248 304 207 18 n/a n/a 2 1620
2006 744 271 306 253 13 n/a n/a 19 1606
2007 692 303 280 302 17 n/a n/a 40 1634
2008 639 263 278 266 18 n/a n/a 40 1504
2009 588 277 284 313 17 n/a n/a 49 1528
2010 542 263 278 349 11 n/a n/a 54 1497
2011 482 247 199 387 7 89 114 0 1525
2012 467 229 182 405 5 120 130 0 1538
2013 445 254 188 425 8 123 144 0 1587
2014 438 244 173 426 17 113 147 0 1558
2015 444 240 167 472 19 134 158 0 1634
2016 405 255 161 473 14 127 177 0 1612
2017 348 223 171 520 7 123 176 0 1568
2018 304 250 173 524 5 151 173 0 1580
2019 298 257 161 574 7 136 158 0 1591
2020 271 266 180 632 6 129 176 1 1661
2021 264 291 156 655 10 109 144 3 1632
2022 248 297 156 624 6 100 155 2 1588
2023 237 305 170 679 4 101 139 5 1640

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Federal Way High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1239 58.0 21.3 0
1989 1185 56.0 21.1 n/a
1990 1157 55.9 20.6 0
1991 1168 54.5 21.4 n/a
1992 1228 54.5 22.5 n/a
1993 1274 56.3 22.6 n/a
1994 1261 56.2 22.4 n/a
1995 1304 54.4 24.0 n/a
1996 1304 54.4 24.0 n/a
1997 1319 58.1 22.7 n/a
1998 1351 59.1 22.9 n/a
1999 1377 62.3 22.1 n/a
2000 1420 67.5 21.0 n/a
2001 1514 64.4 23.5 n/a
2002 1578 69.2 22.8 23.5
2003 1578 69.2 22.8 23.5
2004 1686 72.0 23.4 34.3
2005 1620 72.2 22.4 37.5
2006 1606 76.8 20.9 44.1
2007 1634 77.9 21.0 54.6
2008 1504 80.3 18.7 51.7
2009 1528 81.1 18.8 50.6
2010 1497 78.7 19.0 58.3
2011 1525 78.3 19.4 36.3
2012 1538 73.8 20.8 60.9
2013 1587 72.8 21.7 61.8
2014 1558 n/a n/a 61.4
2015 1634 77.0 21.2 66.2
2016 1612 79.0 20.4 64.9
2017 1568 73.6 21.2 63.8
2018 1580 76.5 20.6 62.8
2019 1591 79.8 19.9 61.3
2020 1661 77.4 21.4 64.5
2021 1632 79.8 20.4 65.9
2022 1588 77.7 20.4 70.3
2023 1640 78.1 20.9 75.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Federal Way High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1239 58.0 21.3 0
1989 1185 56.0 21.1 n/a
1990 1157 55.9 20.6 0
1991 1168 54.5 21.4 n/a
1992 1228 54.5 22.5 n/a
1993 1274 56.3 22.6 n/a
1994 1261 56.2 22.4 n/a
1995 1304 54.4 24.0 n/a
1996 1304 54.4 24.0 n/a
1997 1319 58.1 22.7 n/a
1998 1351 59.1 22.9 n/a
1999 1377 62.3 22.1 n/a
2000 1420 67.5 21.0 n/a
2001 1514 64.4 23.5 n/a
2002 1578 69.2 22.8 23.5
2003 1578 69.2 22.8 23.5
2004 1686 72.0 23.4 34.3
2005 1620 72.2 22.4 37.5
2006 1606 76.8 20.9 44.1
2007 1634 77.9 21.0 54.6
2008 1504 80.3 18.7 51.7
2009 1528 81.1 18.8 50.6
2010 1497 78.7 19.0 58.3
2011 1525 78.3 19.4 36.3
2012 1538 73.8 20.8 60.9
2013 1587 72.8 21.7 61.8
2014 1558 n/a n/a 61.4
2015 1634 77.0 21.2 66.2
2016 1612 79.0 20.4 64.9
2017 1568 73.6 21.2 63.8
2018 1580 76.5 20.6 62.8
2019 1591 79.8 19.9 61.3
2020 1661 77.4 21.4 64.5
2021 1632 79.8 20.4 65.9
2022 1588 77.7 20.4 70.3
2023 1640 78.1 20.9 75.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Immunization Rates

Federal Way High School

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201989.4%0.1%0.1%0.9%99.1%99.3%99.4%99.2%99.4%99.3%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Federal Way High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,016 (7.0%) $13,424 (93.0%) $14,440
2020 $798 (8.1%) $9,048 (91.9%) $9,846
2021 $1,602 (9.2%) $15,839 (90.8%) $17,441
2022 $2,151 (11.3%) $16,821 (88.7%) $18,972

Data source: Washington Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Federal Way High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 350th of 417 High schoolsRanks 377th of 442 High schools
 1.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Federal Way High School)62.555.1
 7.4%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Federal Way School District)62.951.6
 11.2%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)72.865.9
 6.9%
10th Grade Math (Federal Way High School)22.317
 5.4%
   10th Grade Math (Federal Way School District)26.919.1
 7.8%
   10th Grade Math (Washington)42.433.3
 9.1%
11th Grade Science (Federal Way High School)18.214.9
 3.3%
   11th Grade Science (Federal Way School District)3230.3
 1.7%
   11th Grade Science (Washington)5050.5
 0.5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Federal Way High School)62.555.1
 7.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Federal Way School District)47.436.7
 10.7%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Federal Way High School)22.317
 5.4%
   All Grades Math (Federal Way School District)34.624
 10.6%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Federal Way High School)18.214.9
 3.3%
   All Grades Science (Federal Way School District)35.829.7
 6.1%
   All Grades Science (Washington)52.748.8
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students15911640
 3.1%
African American257305
 18.7%
American Indian74
 42.9%
Asian161170
 5.6%
Hispanic574679
 18.3%
Pacific Islander136101
 25.7%
White298237
 20.5%
Two or More Races158139
 12%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients61.3%75.4%
 14%


Schools Near Federal Way High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Federal Way High School

Federal Way High School ranks in the bottom 15.1% of Washington high schools.

Students at Federal Way High School are 41% Hispanic, 19% African American, 14% White, 10% Asian, 8% Two or more races, 6% Pacific Islander.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,640 students attended Federal Way High School.

Federal Way High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Lake Grove Elementary School
Elementary : Nautilus K-8 School
Elementary : Wildwood Elementary School
Elementary : Woodmont K-8 School
Middle : Sacajawea Middle School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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