Pierce County Schools & Education
Pierce County, Washington
School Score
46/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
83.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
83.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,706
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
46/100
Higher = better
State avg 51/100
State School Rank
#29
of 39 counties (1 = best)
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Education Overview
About Schools in Pierce County, Washington
A Massive Urban and Suburban System
Pierce County operates a vast educational network of 282 schools across 19 districts, serving 136,629 students. The system is heavily weighted toward early education, with 153 elementary schools currently in operation.
Competitive Graduation in a Large System
The county achieves an 83.1% graduation rate, outperforming the state average of 81.4%. While per-pupil spending of $8,706 is lower than both state and national medians, the county maintains a solid composite school score of 53.6.
Tacoma and Bethel Lead the Way
Tacoma School District is the largest with 28,311 students, followed closely by Puyallup and Bethel. Charter schools represent a tiny fraction of the market, with only two schools serving less than 1% of the total student population.
Large Campuses and Suburban Life
Most students attend large suburban or city schools, with an average enrollment of 510 students per campus. Graham Kapowsin High is the county's largest with 2,011 students, illustrating the scale of these major educational hubs.
Find a Home in Top-Tier Districts
With 19 districts to choose from, Pierce County offers a wide variety of educational environments for every family. Contact a local agent to explore homes near high-performing schools in Puyallup, Tacoma, or Bethel.
School Overview
Total Schools
282
in Pierce County
Total Enrollment
136,629
students
School Districts
19
districts
Charter Schools
2
1% of total
School Type Breakdown
19 School Districts in Pierce County
Tacoma School District
Puyallup School District
Bethel School District
Clover Park School District
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
Peninsula School District
Franklin Pierce School District
University Place School District
White River School District
Fife School District
282 Public Schools in Pierce County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Kapowsin High School | Bethel School District | 9–12 | High | 2,011 |
| Spanaway Lake High School | Bethel School District | 9–12 | High | 1,817 |
| Bethel High School | Bethel School District | 9–12 | High | 1,739 |
| Gov John Rogers High School | Puyallup School District | 9–12 | High | 1,730 |
| Sumner High School | Sumner-Bonney Lake School District | 9–12 | High | 1,728 |
| Puyallup High School | Puyallup School District | 10–12 | High | 1,701 |
| Bonney Lake High School | Sumner-Bonney Lake School District | 9–12 | High | 1,636 |
| Lincoln High School | Tacoma School District | 9–12 | High | 1,578 |
| Stadium High School | Tacoma School District | 9–12 | High | 1,571 |
| Emerald Ridge High School | Puyallup School District | 10–12 | High | 1,537 |
| Gig Harbor High | Peninsula School District | 9–12 | High | 1,435 |
| Mount Tahoma High School | Tacoma School District | 9–12 | High | 1,430 |
| Peninsula High School | Peninsula School District | 9–12 | High | 1,372 |
| Curtis Senior High | University Place School District | 10–12 | High | 1,349 |
| Clover Park High School | Clover Park School District | 9–12 | High | 1,315 |
| Lakes High School | Clover Park School District | 9–12 | High | 1,286 |
| White River High School | White River School District | 9–12 | High | 1,263 |
| Franklin Pierce High School | Franklin Pierce School District | 9–12 | High | 1,141 |
| Dr. Dolores Silas High School | Tacoma School District | 9–12 | High | 1,114 |
| Washington High School | Franklin Pierce School District | 9–12 | High | 997 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,706
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pierce County, Washington — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pierce County, Washington?
Pierce County operates a vast educational network of 282 schools across 19 districts, serving 136,629 students. The system is heavily weighted toward early education, with 153 elementary schools currently in operation.
How do schools in Pierce County perform academically?
The county achieves an 83.1% graduation rate, outperforming the state average of 81.4%. While per-pupil spending of $8,706 is lower than both state and national medians, the county maintains a solid composite school score of 53.6.
What are the major school districts in Pierce County, Washington?
Tacoma School District is the largest with 28,311 students, followed closely by Puyallup and Bethel. Charter schools represent a tiny fraction of the market, with only two schools serving less than 1% of the total student population.
What is the school experience like in Pierce County?
Most students attend large suburban or city schools, with an average enrollment of 510 students per campus. Graham Kapowsin High is the county's largest with 2,011 students, illustrating the scale of these major educational hubs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Pierce County, Washington?
With 19 districts to choose from, Pierce County offers a wide variety of educational environments for every family. Contact a local agent to explore homes near high-performing schools in Puyallup, Tacoma, or Bethel.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.