The reported proficiency rate for Math is 33%.
Original Research by School Decision on Henderson Bay Alt High School
Henderson Bay Alt High School serves grades nine through twelve as an alternative school within the Peninsula School District, located in Gig Harbor, Washington. The school is one of three high schools in a district that also includes two larger comprehensive high schools. With a modest enrollment for a high school, it operates separately from the district’s main campuses.
Gig Harbor itself is a mix of residential and commercial development, historically a bedroom community for Tacoma workers. Its historic downtown waterfront, with boutiques and fine dining, draws tourists, while residential and retail growth has pushed the city west toward State Route 16. The city has seen substantial growth since the replacement of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge improved access from Tacoma. The Peninsula School District covers the broader Gig Harbor peninsula, and a 2022 voter-approved levy package provides funding for classroom programs, technology, and facility improvements through 2025.
The student body at Henderson Bay is predominantly white, with a Hispanic enrollment and a smaller share of students identifying as two or more races. A sizable share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available. Enrollment is concentrated in the upper grades, with the largest group in twelfth grade and the smallest in ninth grade.
State assessment data from the 2024-25 school year shows proficiency rates for students in both English language arts and science. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile among districts in Pierce County. This comparison should be read carefully, as it reflects the school’s status as an alternative setting where the student population often includes those who have struggled in a traditional high school environment. The math proficiency rate from the 2020-21 school year was based on a small number of test-takers and a lower participation rate, making it a less reliable snapshot. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its current math performance and how it supports students in that subject.
Graduation rate data was not available for this school. That gap is common for alternative high schools, which may measure completion differently or have smaller cohorts that do not meet state reporting thresholds. Chronic absenteeism data was also missing.
What the available data suggests is a school designed for students who need a different pathway through high school, one that is smaller and likely more individualized than a large comprehensive campus. The location in Gig Harbor places it in a community with relatively expensive housing and a tourism-oriented economy, but the school itself serves a mix of students, including a notable share from lower-income households. For a family trying to understand whether this school fits, the key question is not how its test scores compare to a traditional high school, but whether its alternative structure matches the student’s needs. The district operates two other high schools in the area, so there are other options for families exploring the Peninsula School District.
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