Fife High School

Summary:

Fife High School is a public high school located in Tacoma, Washington, serving grades 10-12 with a total enrollment of 879 students. The school is part of the Fife School District, which is ranked 146 out of 247 districts in Washington and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Fife High School consistently ranks in the top half of Washington high schools, with a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's performance on state assessments is generally above the state average, with 69.62% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 26.92% proficient or better in Math for the 2023-2024 school year. Fife High School's performance on the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) is also strong, with 57.71% of students proficient or better in 2023-2024. The school has maintained a high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 91.8% to 96.1% over the past five years, and a relatively low dropout rate, ranging from 1.9% to 4.4% during the same period.

Fife High School has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup that includes 42.55% White, 7.96% African American, 22.18% Hispanic, 11.38% Asian, and a mix of other racial groups. The school generally outperforms nearby schools, such as Summit Public School: Olympus, in academic metrics, but some nearby schools, like Puyallup High School, have higher performance in certain areas. Fife High School's performance on state assessments varies across different student subgroups, with African American and Hispanic students performing particularly well, while multi-racial and English Language Learner students have lower rankings and proficiency rates.


Detail:

Public 10-12

 5616 20th St E
       Tacoma, WA  98424-2026


(253) 517-1100

District: Fife School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
158th of 437 Washington High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,938 Help


Feeder schools for Fife High School:

Elementary:    Discovery Primary School
    Hedden Elementary School
Middle:    Surprise Lake Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  21.8 Help
Number of students:  879

Racial breakdown:

White:
42.5%
Hispanic:
22.2%
Asian:
11.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  47.8% Help


 See top rated Washington high schools

 Compare Fife High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Fife High School ranks better than 63.8% of high schools in Washington. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 58.93. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Fife High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (42.5%), Hispanic (22.2%), Asian (11.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 47.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Fife High School is 21.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Fife High School employs 40.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Fife High School is $16,938.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Fife High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Fife High School 158th of 437 Washington public high schools. (See Fife 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:


Fife School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Fife School District 146th of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Fife High School?

Rank History for Fife High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 63.30 149th 390 61.8%
2005 65.65 140th 394 64.5%
2006 68.98 120th 395 69.6%
2007 53.35 214th 399 46.4%
2008 48.10 248th 396 37.4%
2009 57.76 199th 402 50.5%
2010 60.33 192nd 423 54.6%
2011 54.62 189th 440 57.0%
2012 56.80 194th 450 56.9%
2013 59.54 191st 454 57.9%
2015 68.45 83rd 341 75.7%
2016 58.57 139th 306 54.6%
2017 55.13 154th 301 48.8%
2018 54.99 162nd 315 48.6%
2019 58.38 162nd 417 61.2%
2021 48.50 215th 455 52.7%
2022 60.72 154th 434 64.5%
2023 54.87 181st 442 59.0%
2024 58.93 158th 437 63.8%
See the entire list of Washington High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.89 54th 91 40.7%
2019 53.57 75th 163 54.0%
2021 53.22 81st 195 58.5%
2022 44.43 101st 179 43.6%
2023 28.33 121st 166 27.1%
2024 40.82 96th 161 40.4%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 42.40 43rd 102 57.8%
2022 49.74 29th 70 58.6%
2024 31.95 43rd 68 36.8%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.26 16th 139 88.5%
2019 53.26 51st 128 60.2%
2021 52.85 73rd 212 65.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.94 115th 227 49.3%
2019 60.26 113th 344 67.2%
2021 39.20 244th 392 37.8%
2022 53.36 153rd 370 58.6%
2023 48.16 187th 362 48.3%
2024 53.22 156th 356 56.2%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.97 123rd 243 49.4%
2019 50.84 182nd 358 49.2%
2021 53.43 150th 390 61.5%
2022 53.70 163rd 368 55.7%
2023 52.11 163rd 357 54.3%
2024 55.16 144th 347 58.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.19 143rd 254 43.7%
2019 63.24 122nd 355 65.6%
2021 39.98 232nd 395 41.3%
2022 62.94 126th 363 65.3%
2023 53.53 159th 358 55.6%
2024 56.57 146th 362 59.7%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.18 79th 87 9.2%
2019 26.66 98th 121 19.0%
2021 42.54 79th 136 41.9%
2022 52.07 62nd 124 50.0%
2023 50.08 54th 118 54.2%
2024 58.80 43rd 113 61.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 36.98 70th 111 36.9%
2023 62.27 26th 78 66.7%
2024 86.06 5th 70 92.9%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.59 47th 156 69.9%
2019 68.05 60th 241 75.1%
2021 42.55 150th 278 46.0%
2022 56.16 97th 261 62.8%
2023 65.91 68th 249 72.7%
2024 66.23 63rd 248 74.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.48 4th 6 33.3%
2019 41.98 12th 18 33.3%
2021 38.58 22nd 33 33.3%
2022 63.40 6th 17 64.7%
See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Fife High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.57 114th 222 48.6%
2019 61.88 130th 382 66.0%
2021 56.93 152nd 413 63.2%
2022 63.85 135th 390 65.4%
2023 53.30 168th 379 55.7%
2024 59.37 140th 374 62.6%
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.

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





Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Open Quote I passed every section of the WASL, and I owe it to my teachers from Fife. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Fife High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 572 3 19 12 9 n/a n/a 0 615
1989 550 2 18 16 17 n/a n/a 0 603
1990 523 6 20 14 24 n/a n/a 0 587
1991 542 6 20 24 18 n/a n/a 0 610
1992 538 15 19 28 22 n/a n/a 0 622
1993 565 12 20 27 30 n/a n/a 0 654
1994 610 16 25 30 29 n/a n/a 0 710
1995 629 9 28 43 38 n/a n/a 0 747
1996 629 9 28 43 38 n/a n/a 0 747
1997 667 17 33 45 36 n/a n/a 0 798
1998 688 17 28 47 35 n/a n/a 0 815
1999 704 31 29 45 43 n/a n/a 0 852
2000 661 17 37 47 39 n/a n/a 0 801
2001 733 28 35 41 41 n/a n/a 0 878
2002 770 40 42 74 44 n/a n/a 0 970
2003 770 40 42 74 44 n/a n/a 0 970
2004 609 31 41 63 33 n/a n/a 0 777
2005 598 29 51 63 39 n/a n/a 1 781
2006 602 30 73 64 39 n/a n/a 1 809
2007 581 36 84 75 34 n/a n/a 12 822
2008 609 36 77 82 33 n/a n/a 19 856
2009 591 40 81 91 19 n/a n/a 31 853
2010 593 46 92 100 22 n/a n/a 1 854
2011 489 31 62 106 12 13 77 0 790
2012 476 28 61 126 1 20 71 0 783
2013 454 32 48 124 5 28 70 0 761
2014 453 32 61 156 7 26 92 0 827
2015 411 33 58 144 9 28 95 0 778
2016 436 30 69 154 11 35 100 0 835
2017 435 25 73 150 7 33 100 0 823
2018 454 37 77 146 6 42 100 0 862
2019 446 41 77 164 3 53 93 0 877
2020 415 42 84 172 5 50 100 0 868
2021 379 45 91 174 8 65 89 1 852
2022 356 41 100 193 10 63 105 2 870
2023 374 70 100 195 11 68 60 1 879

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 Fife High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 615 29.0 21.2 0
1989 603 29.0 20.7 n/a
1990 587 27.1 21.6 0
1991 610 27.4 22.2 n/a
1992 622 29.0 21.4 n/a
1993 654 30.2 21.7 n/a
1994 710 33.4 21.3 n/a
1995 747 31.8 23.5 n/a
1996 747 31.8 23.5 n/a
1997 798 33.3 24.0 n/a
1998 815 35.6 22.9 n/a
1999 852 38.0 22.4 n/a
2000 801 41.5 19.3 n/a
2001 878 42.5 20.7 n/a
2002 970 46.4 20.9 18.8
2003 970 46.4 20.9 18.8
2004 777 38.0 20.4 23.6
2005 781 37.8 20.7 20.8
2006 809 37.0 21.9 21.3
2007 822 38.4 21.4 22
2008 856 39.5 21.7 23.9
2009 853 39.2 21.8 27.1
2010 854 34.7 24.6 32.4
2011 790 34.7 22.7 39.5
2012 783 33.7 23.2 37.8
2013 761 33.7 22.5 40.5
2014 827 n/a n/a 42.1
2015 778 35.0 22.2 44.7
2016 835 37.0 22.5 41.8
2017 823 37.2 22.1 34.9
2018 862 38.4 22.4 35.5
2019 877 38.8 22.5 42.8
2020 868 40.3 21.5 41.1
2021 852 40.3 21.1 43.4
2022 870 40.8 21.3 41.7
2023 879 40.2 21.8 47.8

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 Fife High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 615 29.0 21.2 0
1989 603 29.0 20.7 n/a
1990 587 27.1 21.6 0
1991 610 27.4 22.2 n/a
1992 622 29.0 21.4 n/a
1993 654 30.2 21.7 n/a
1994 710 33.4 21.3 n/a
1995 747 31.8 23.5 n/a
1996 747 31.8 23.5 n/a
1997 798 33.3 24.0 n/a
1998 815 35.6 22.9 n/a
1999 852 38.0 22.4 n/a
2000 801 41.5 19.3 n/a
2001 878 42.5 20.7 n/a
2002 970 46.4 20.9 18.8
2003 970 46.4 20.9 18.8
2004 777 38.0 20.4 23.6
2005 781 37.8 20.7 20.8
2006 809 37.0 21.9 21.3
2007 822 38.4 21.4 22
2008 856 39.5 21.7 23.9
2009 853 39.2 21.8 27.1
2010 854 34.7 24.6 32.4
2011 790 34.7 22.7 39.5
2012 783 33.7 23.2 37.8
2013 761 33.7 22.5 40.5
2014 827 n/a n/a 42.1
2015 778 35.0 22.2 44.7
2016 835 37.0 22.5 41.8
2017 823 37.2 22.1 34.9
2018 862 38.4 22.4 35.5
2019 877 38.8 22.5 42.8
2020 868 40.3 21.5 41.1
2021 852 40.3 21.1 43.4
2022 870 40.8 21.3 41.7
2023 879 40.2 21.8 47.8

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

Fife High School

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201985.6%0.2%0.5%3.3%98.9%97.6%98.9%97.7%99.0%97.8%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Fife High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $442 (3.3%) $13,068 (96.7%) $13,510
2020 $221 (2.1%) $10,354 (97.9%) $10,574
2021 $764 (4.9%) $14,959 (95.1%) $15,723
2022 $1,070 (6.3%) $15,868 (93.7%) $16,938

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Fife 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 162nd of 417 High schoolsRanks 181st of 442 High schools
 2.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Fife High School)83.268.1
 15.1%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Fife School District)83.268.1
 15.1%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)72.865.9
 6.9%
10th Grade Math (Fife High School)4126.6
 14.4%
   10th Grade Math (Fife School District)4126.6
 14.4%
   10th Grade Math (Washington)42.433.3
 9.1%
11th Grade Science (Fife High School)45.354.7
 9.4%
   11th Grade Science (Fife School District)45.354.7
 9.4%
   11th Grade Science (Washington)5050.5
 0.5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Fife High School)83.268.1
 15.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Fife School District)5745.3
 11.7%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Fife High School)4126.6
 14.4%
   All Grades Math (Fife School District)43.932
 11.9%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Fife High School)45.354.7
 9.4%
   All Grades Science (Fife School District)4345.2
 2.2%
   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 Students877879
 0.2%
African American4170
 70.7%
American Indian311
 266.7%
Asian77100
 29.9%
Hispanic164195
 18.9%
Pacific Islander5368
 28.3%
White446374
 16.1%
Two or More Races9360
 35.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients42.8%47.8%
 5%


Schools Near Fife High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Fife High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 879 students attended Fife High School.

Fife High School ranks 158th of 437 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Fife High School are 43% White, 22% Hispanic, 11% Asian, 8% African American, 8% Pacific Islander, 7% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

Fife High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Discovery Primary School
Elementary : Hedden Elementary School
Middle : Surprise Lake 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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