As the second-largest county in Washington State, Pierce County is home to 15 school districts ranging from preschool to high school. Each school district has its benefits and offers a variety of activities and sports. Many of the schools in this area are full of rich history, including the Dieringer school district, established in 1890, and Carbonado Historical School.
At Soundbuilt, we want to support you in understanding all of the factors that affect your house-hunting process. Join us in exploring each of the Pierce county school districts locations, highlights, and unique programs. We utilized the GreatSchools rating system from 1-5 stars to provide a well-rounded picture of how effectively each school serves its students.
Bethel School District
Located in southeast Pierce County, Bethel is the 13th largest district in the state spanning over 215 square miles. Bethel is home to two Soundbuilt communities, The Landing at Spanaway and Pacific Ridge.
There are 39 schools in Bethel School District which serves nearly 18,000 students from PreK-12th grade. The city of Spanaway is home to 5-star elementary schools like Centennial and Evergreen Elementary, according to GreatSchools.org.
- Bowling
- Fastpitch
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Track
Carbonado School District
Home to just one school, the Carbonado Historical School is located in the city of Carbonado, WA. Great Schools reports that scores at this school are far above the state average, suggesting that most students are performing at or above grade level. This school offers Volleyball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Softball.
Clover Park School District
Clover Park is the fourth largest school district of the 15 in Pierce County. Located immediately south of the city of Tacoma, there are 31 schools within this district. This area serves the Lakewood and Joint Base Lewis-McChord communities. The district also offers virtual and alternative learning options for its students. Clover Park school district has a vast athletic directory including:
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Cheer
- Swimming
- Wrestling
- Bowling
- Baseball
- Fastpitch
- Soccer
- Track & Field
Dieringer School District
The historic district of Dieringer was established in 1890 and surrounds the northern two-thirds of Lake Tapps. The district’s three schools; Lake Tapps Elementary School, Dieringer Heights Elementary School, and North Tapps Middle School, all provide K through 8th-grade education and serve as hubs for community activities. Dieringer School District is proud to offer before and after-school childcare right on campus!
The middle school athletic programs include:
- Football
- Fastpitch
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Wrestling
- Track
- Baseball
- Volleyball
Eatonville School District
A smaller district of approximately 2,000 students, Eatonville consists of five schools: Eatonville High School, Eatonville Middle School (grades 6-8), Eatonville Elementary School (grades K-5), Columbia Crest School (Grades K-6), and Weyerhaeuser Elementary School (grades K-5). The district boasts a 96% graduation rate and offers a variety of extracurriculars, including music programs, theater, and athletics. The athletic programs include:
- Football
- Fastpitch
- Cross Country
- Wrestling
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Track & Field
- Girls Volleyball
Fife School District
Fife School District is located East of Tacoma in the Puyallup Valley. The district includes three cities: Fife, Milton, and a portion of Edgewood, along with unincorporated communities such as Trout Lake, Jovita, and Fife Heights. It consists of one preschool, three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Fife school district offers an array of sports programs, including:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Wrestling
Franklin Pierce School District
Proclaimed as one of the most innovative districts in Pierce County, Franklin Pierce was instituted in 1949 and rooted in history. There are approximately 7900 students from preschool to grade 12 in various settings, including eight elementary schools, two middle schools, two traditional high schools, and three alternative middle through high schools. Their athletic programs include:
- Basketball
- Track
- Fastpitch
- Soccer
- Cross Country
- Football
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Orting School District
Located southeast of the City of Tacoma, Orting School District’s mission is to prepare all students for college, careers, and life, with a vision of developing knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be life-long learners and engaged citizens in a diverse, global society. There are two preschools, two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school with roughly 2,700 total students. Orting students can enjoy Anime Club, American Sign Language (ASL) Club, Band Club, Choir Club, Culture Club, E-Sports Club, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), FFA (Future Farmers of America), Knowledge Bowl Club, National Honor Society (NHS), Tabletop Gaming Club, Washington Career and Technical Sports Medicine Association, and Weightlifting Club. The Orting school district sports include:
- Football
- Cross Country
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Wrestling
- Girls Wrestling
- Baseball
- Golf
- Girls Soccer
- Fastpitch
- Golf (playoffs)
- Boys Soccer
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
- Boys Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Dance
Peninsula School District
With above-average school quality ratings, Peninsula School District spans grades PK-12, consisting of 15 schools and roughly 9,400 students. Most students report test scores far above the state average at top-rated schools like Discovery Elementary School and Gig Harbor High School. Peninsula school district offers a large variety of athletic and extracurricular activities including:
- Football
- Volleyball
- Girls Swim & Dive
- Cross Country
- Girls Soccer
- Boys Tennis
- Boys Water Polo
- Girls Bowling
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Wrestling
- Boys Swim & Dive
- Girls Lacrosse
- Boys Soccer
- Track & Field
- Fastpitch
- Baseball
- Girls Tennis
- Girls Water Polo
- Girls Golf
- Boys Golf
Puyallup School District
The ninth-largest district in Washington State, Puyallup School District serves roughly 119,000 residents. Located six miles east of Tacoma and 30 miles south of Seattle, 38 schools ranging from grades PK-12 serve nearly 23,200 students. With a mission of partnering with their diverse communities, they seek to educate and inspire students to reach their full potential. Puyallup boasts a 90% graduation rate and an award-winning music program, and a theater program. Puyallup’s athletic programs include:
- Football
- Boys Swim & Dive
- Boys Soccer
- Cross Country
- Boys Basketball
- Baseball
- Boys Golf
- Girls Basketball
- Fastpitch
- Girls Golf
- Wrestling
- Track & Field
- Soccer
- Gymnastics
- Water Polo
- Swim & Dive
- Bowling
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Cheer
Steilacoom Historical School District
As the oldest school district in Pierce County established in 1855, Steilacoom Historical District spans the communities of Steilacoom, DuPont, Anderson Island, and portions of Lakewood and unincorporated Pierce County. There are ten schools ranging from PK-12 that serve roughly 3,200 students with above-average school quality ratings. Steilacoom’s athletic programs include:
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Golf
- Swim & Dive
- Tennis
- Football
- Cross Country
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Wrestling
- Softball
- Fastpitch
- Track & Feild
Sumner School District
With some of the highest-rated schools in Pierce County, Sumner School District serves roughly 10,000 students with 15 schools ranging from grades PK-12. Situated southeast of Tacoma, the district serves the cities of Bonney Lake, Edgewood, Sumner, and various unincorporated areas of east Pierce County. Athletic programs include:
- Golf
- Tennis
- Football
- Cross Country
- Basketball
Tacoma School District
Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) is the 3rd-largest district in Washington State, serving more than 28,000 students in 62 schools spanning from grades K-12. The district consists of 35 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, 5 comprehensive high schools, and 14 alternative learning sites. Our community Norpoint Place is situated within the Tacoma school district.
- Our Vision: We will be an outstanding school district in which all students exhibit high standards of achievement and critical thinking skills, and are socially responsible, contributing members of our society.
- Our Mission: In partnership with parents and the community, we will provide a comprehensive educational experience that is rigorous, individualized, and enables students to contribute to a changing and diverse world.
This district also offers remote and alternative learning plans. Tacoma School district has a wide variety of extracurricular activities and sports for students to participate in.
- Football
- Girls Soccer
- Volleyball
- Cross Country
- Girls Swimming
- Boys Tennis
- Golf
- Boys Water Polo
- Basketball
- Boys Swimming
- Wrestling
- Girls Bowling
- Baseball
- Fastpitch
- Girls Tennis
- Track
- Boys Soccer
- Girls Water Polo
University Place School District
Located in the city of University Place, there are 10 schools in this district spanning grades PK-12 and serving roughly 5,800 students. Rated above average in school quality, Narrows View Intermediate and Curtis Senior High School report high levels of academic progress and college preparedness. Athletic programs at University Place include:
- Baseball
- Tennis
- Swim
- Softball
- Track & field
- Soccer
- Lacrosse
- Water Polo
White River School District
Located in Buckley, WA, home to our community Elk Run at Chinook Meadows, White River School District is home to nine schools and about 4,000 students grades PreK-12. Mountain Meadow Elementary School placed in the top 5% of all schools in Washington for overall test schools in recent years. Wachusett Regional High School is recognized as having one of the best music education programs in recent years. White River district is also known for its great drama program and its array of sports including:
- Soccer
- Football
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Dance
- Baseball
- Wrestling
- Volleyball
- Lacrosse
- Cross Country
Pierce County Schools & Soundbuilt's Developments
As a homebuyer, you are likely relocating your family to an unfamiliar area. Whether you are from out of state, are a member of the military, or are trying to get a feel for the Pierce County area, understanding the various school districts in Pierce County is an important step in your house-hunting process.
At Soundbuilt, we are currently developing four communities situated within Pierce County. Elk Run at Chinook Meadows is situated within the White River School District, offering top-rated elementary schools and a high school recognized for its renowned music program. The Landing at Spanaway Lake and Pacific Ridge offers affordable options in Spanaway, WA, which feeds into the Bethel School District with five-star elementary schools like Centennial and Evergreen. Norpoint Place, located in Tacoma, WA, pulls into the Tacoma School District, offering several sports and extracurricular activities and job opportunities.
Finding a new community consists of many elements that impact your house-buying decision, ranging from schools to location. We hope that this guide will help you and your family navigate the area of Pierce County and understand where the housing opportunities are for you to discover.
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