Best Public Schools in Zip Code 98003

The Federal Way, Washington zip code 98003 contains 16 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 5 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. This diverse set of educational institutions serves a community with significant economic challenges, as evidenced by the high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch across the district.

Among the standout schools in the area is Federal Way Public Academy, a middle school that ranks 42nd out of 535 Washington middle schools and boasts exceptional test scores, with over 80% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 61% in Math. Another high-performing school is Nautilus K-8 School, which ranks 794th out of 1,168 Washington elementary schools and has strong proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Math, and Science. In contrast, some schools in the district, such as Wildwood Elementary School and Rainier View Elementary School, struggle with very low test scores and other performance metrics.

The data reveals a clear correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with the schools serving the highest percentages of students from low-income families generally performing the poorest. This trend is particularly evident in the alternative and reengagement schools, such as Open Doors Youth Reengagement, which face significant challenges with low graduation rates and high dropout rates. Despite these challenges, the Federal Way School District has the potential to improve, as demonstrated by the success of its top-performing schools, which could serve as models for the rest of the district.