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District Overview

Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) is a leader in continual innovation among public schools in the state and nation.  Bold words, indeed. But Seattle Pacific University and Standard and Poor’s, as well as educational experts across the state, back up that claim.

FWPS was included in a list of the ten highest-performing districts in the state, based on WASL scores and other factors, by the Washington School Research Center at Seattle Pacific University in 2004.

Less than two years later, in June 2006, Standard and Poor’s announced that three of the district’s high schools -- Federal Way, Thomas Jefferson and Todd Beamer High Schools -- were among 51 schools in the state recognized for narrowing the achievement gap. In fact, not only was Federal Way the only district in the state to have more than one high school on the Standard and Poor’s list, two of them – Federal Way High School and Thomas Jefferson High School – achieved the greatest reductions in the achievement gap of all the South Sound schools.

These achievements are not by pure chance. Since 1996, FWPS have been implementing bold new programs (275K PDF) and policies to help all students achieve their academic best.  We’ve raised the bar and applied targeted attention in key areas. Our multi-year focus on literacy has produced substantial gains in the district’s reading WASL scores. The district has turned a similar focus on math, with additional math curriculum and staff training.

We are also working to align curriculum, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, with the state standards. A 2004 OSPI report on school districts that have achieved exceptional academic improvement notes that those districts have aligned curriculum with state standards, assessment and policies. 

At the same time, the district is focusing attention on professional development and coaching for our instructional staff. This work is based on broad and authoritative research that indicates, “Quality instruction is the single most significant factor that affects student achievement.” (McKinsey & Company, 2007)

Our goal is to provide quality instruction every day, every moment, for every child.

The district has 23 elementary schools, seven middle schools and five high schools. In addition, the district has several programs geared to providing students with alternative learning experiences. FWPS partners with the Technology Access Foundation to offer the TAF Academy on the campus of Totem Middle School. TAF Academy provides a Science, Technology, Math and Science focused curriculum for students in grades 6-12.  For the past 12 years, the district has provided Internet-based instruction to students across the state through the Internet Academy.  Now in its 11th year, the Federal Way Public Academy, provides an intensive academic program for students in grades 6-10 and boasts some of the highest WASL scores in the state.  Our small high school, Truman, offers an innovative, real-world experience-based program.

All comprehensive high schools in the district offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes; Decatur offers both the College Board-Spring Board Program and the AP-based Pre-Engineering Project Lead the Way Program. Thomas Jefferson also offers the International Baccalaureate Program and Federal Way High School serves as the only West-coast site of the Cambridge Program. Lakota and Sacajawea Middle Schools offer the Cambridge Checkpoint Program for high-achieving sixth through eighth grade students.

With the support of the Communities in Schools Foundation of Federal Way, the district offers a free summer school program for any child who is not achieving grade level expectations.

Our community is stronger, healthier, and more vibrant because businesses and residents support our schools.  By building better schools, we’re building a stronger community for today and tomorrow.