The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in English language arts. The lowest is 42% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Doris Stahl Junior High
Doris Stahl Junior High sits within the Puyallup School District, a large system that serves a broad swath of Pierce County including the city of Puyallup itself, the suburban South Hill area, and parts of Edgewood. The city has a historic downtown anchored by the Washington State Fairgrounds and a walkable core along Pioneer Avenue with a large farmers’ market, while South Hill is newer and more auto-oriented with a growing commercial district. The school’s own location on a street address in the South Hill area places it in that suburban residential setting.
Though the school’s listed grade span is sixth through tenth, the actual enrollment is concentrated in seventh through ninth grades, with only a handful of students in other grades. That makes it effectively a junior high serving the middle grades and the start of high school. Enrollment is around the size of a mid-sized junior high for this grade band. About half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a substantial share. The student body is racially and ethnically diverse: the largest group is white, followed by students who identify as two or more races, then Hispanic, Black, Asian, and smaller shares of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and American Indian or Alaska Native students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
Academic performance reflects a mixed picture. On the state’s Smarter Balanced assessments, English language arts proficiency is solid across both tested grades, with the seventh grade showing a notably higher rate than the eighth. Math proficiency is lower, with both grades below half, and the eighth-grade rate is weaker than the seventh. Science proficiency for eighth graders, tested on the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science, falls in a similar range to math. When compared against all other districts in Pierce County, the school’s combined proficiency index sits above the midpoint, indicating that its overall academic results are stronger than many neighboring districts. But the gap between ELA and math is wide enough that a parent may want to ask the school what math interventions and supports are in place. No multi-year trend data is available because only a single year of results was reported, so it is not possible to see whether performance is improving or declining.
Because the school does not serve seniors, there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, and staffing was also absent from the available records. No program offerings such as career and technical education or advanced coursework were listed, so families looking for those details would need to consult the school directly.
The district context matters for families considering this school. In 2024, voters approved a major bond to build a new elementary school and replace two older elementaries, along with system-wide safety, HVAC, and roofing upgrades. That bond adds to property taxes, a long-term cost for homeowners. Two levies approved in 2022—an Educational Programs and Operations levy and a Technology levy—also add to the tax burden through 2026. At the same time, the district has implemented budget reductions for the 2023-2024 school year, cutting staffing and programs due to declining enrollment and the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds. Elementary boundary changes were approved in 2023 to balance enrollment and prepare for the new school, meaning that assigned attendance areas may shift for incoming families.
Housing in the Puyallup area is expensive relative to national averages. Home values are high, and monthly mortgage costs are above the typical rent, making ownership a stretch for many households. Rents also take a significant share of income. The area continues to grow, especially on South Hill, with new residential and commercial development, which keeps pressure on school enrollment and infrastructure.
Doris Stahl Junior High serves as a central option for families in the South Hill part of Puyallup who want a regular public school with above-average proficiency for the county but with a clear need for stronger math outcomes. The absence of program listings and student support data means that a parent choosing this school will want to visit and ask about course offerings, special education services, and how the school supports students who are below grade level in math.
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