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Public School0
Tacoma School District

Tacoma School of the Arts

#2 in Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington
  • B
    Overall Grade
  • Public
  • 9-12
  • Tacoma, WA
  • 198 reviews
    B
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      B-
    2. Diversity
      A
    3. Teachers
      B+
    4. College Prep
      B-
    5. Clubs & Activities
      C
    6. Health & Safety
      C
    7. Administration
      C+
    8. Sports
      NG
    9. Food
      B+
    10. Resources & Facilities
      C+
    View Full Report Card
    Tacoma School of the Arts is an above average, public school located in Tacoma, WA. It has 629 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1. According to state test scores, 22% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading.

    Tacoma School of the Arts Rankings

    Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

    Academics

    Percent Proficient - Reading
    77%
    Percent Proficient - Math
    22%
    Average Graduation Rate
    92%
    Average SAT
    1120
    110 responses
    Average ACT
    27
    11 responses
    AP Enrollment
    —
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    Living in the Area
    A-
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Cost of Living
      C
    2. Good for Families
      B+
    3. Housing
      C-
    Median Household Income
    $47,735
    National
    $55,322
    Median Rent
    $979
    National
    $949
    Median Home Value
    $226,630
    National
    $184,700

    Culture & Safety

    Health & Safety
    C
    Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
    Poll
    84%
    of students agree that they feel safe at their school.19 responses
    Poll
    84%
    of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.19 responses
    Poll
    What are your favorite school events or traditions?
    Based on 68 responses
    Report
    • Showcase every month for students to perform
      21%
    • Thanksgiving feast for all the home rooms
      21%
    • Day In The Park
      18%
    • 3 day camp at Black Lake with whole school
      16%
    • The senior breakfast and showcase
      10%
    • Mpg every Friday
      6%
    • Senior Assassin
      6%

    Students

    Diversity
    A
    Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
    Students
    629
    Free or Reduced Lunch
    40%
    48%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.23 responses
    100%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.23 responses
    9%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.23 responses

    Teachers

    Student-Teacher Ratio
    20:1
    National
    17:1
    Average Teacher Salary
    $69,740
    Teachers in First/Second Year
    12.8%
    96%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.28 responses
    93%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.28 responses
    82%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.28 responses

    Clubs & Activities

    Clubs & Activities
    C
    Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
    Girls Athletic Participation
    Very Low
    Boys Athletic Participation
    Very Low
    Expenses Per Student
    $13,555/ year
    National
    $12,239
    77%
    of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.30 responses
    53%
    of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.30 responses
    43%
    of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.30 responses
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    Tacoma School of the Arts Reviews

    198 reviews
    All Categories
    If you’re passionate for art and nothing more then this place is great for you. But academics and college preparation are very weak. The only AP class they have is humanities and you cant take it til junior year. They have no sports and like four clubs. Its located downtown which can come with a lot of dangers. I’ll try to go into the school but cant because a man is peeing on the sidewalk of the entrance, so A+ for cultural experience. This school doesnt even have a counselor and theres a nurse about two days a week. They say they care about individuals until this school makes you want to kill yourself and the district won’t let you transfer out. Harassment gets reported and nothing gets done. Its cliquey and many people just go here so they dont have to take school seriously. There is so much smoking and admin know it but they dont do anything. Unless youre a carbon copy vans wearing juul inhaler or broadway musical loving furry look elsewhere
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    Tacoma School of the Arts enables students to learn freely. What I mean by this, is that students choose what they learn. They build their own schedules for each semester and register for them themselves, they have the entire month of January to study one subject that they are interested in all day, every day that month. These are merely a couple examples of how Tacoma School of the Arts respects their students and prepares them for life after high school. Not to mention the twenty minute passing periods and open campus, so that students really do learn the independence that adulthood requires.
    Tacoma School of the Arts provided an alternative to more traditional schools and gave me the independence AND the guidance I needed to thrive and learn about myself and the world around me. Humanities classes are focused on educating about real world issues and teach students how to apply their knowledge to their own situations. Arts classes are expansive and help students to discover their creativity while honing the more technical skills they need to succeed in their art form. Internships are available through the Next Move and give students workplace experience. Many features of SOTA contribute to the building of a solid community: Day in the Park, Day of Caring, the monthly school showcase, Art City shows, the Friday Mentor Project Group session. The school is community based and has a small enough student population to be tight knit. I've loved my time at this school and will miss the students and faculty who made it so special.