Columbia Junior High School

Located at 2901 54th Avenue E, in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Junior High School is a medium-sized senior high that instructs 619 students (grades 8 through 9), part of Fife School District.

Across the 7 schools in Fife School District (3,983 students total), Columbia Junior High School accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Demographically, Columbia Junior High School records that the largest single group is White at 37%, but no single group is in the majority. The remainder consists of 23% Hispanic, 14% multiracial, 10% Black, 8% Asian. That is considerably less White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 64%.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, Columbia Junior High School has 30 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 20.8:1. The state averages around 21.6:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Around 57% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), Columbia Junior High School sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 42.2%; this one delivers 33.3%.

Zooming out to the county, Pierce County reports that median household earnings sit near $99,564, about 31% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Pierce County runs 287 public schools (combined enrollment of about 138,462 students), of which Columbia Junior High School is one.

Nearest neighbor: Fife Elementary School, around 0.5 miles off. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Among the 6 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Columbia Junior High School ranks 4th on composite proficiency, below the local average of 34.6%.

Geographically, the school is in a bedroom-community area.

Over the past 7-year window. Columbia Junior High School's enrollment has edged up 4% since 2018, when it stood at 595 (now 619). The White share of enrollment fell from 48% to 37% over that span.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Contributors range from current parents to recent graduates and teachers.