The reported proficiency rate for Science is 33%.
Original Research by School Decision on Oakland High School
Oakland High School is an alternative high school in the Tacoma School District, serving grades nine through twelve. Its classification as an alternative school is central to understanding what it is and who it serves. The school’s enrollment is small, and a substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that a high proportion of families have low household incomes. The student body is diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group forming a majority. White students and Black students each make up roughly a quarter of the population, followed by students who are Hispanic, those who identify as two or more races, and smaller shares of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and American Indian or Alaska Native students.
Because Oakland High is an alternative school, the standard academic metrics need to be read with that context. For the one school year where state science testing results were reported, the share of students scoring proficient was low. Participation in that science test was also low. Math and English language arts test results for the same period were suppressed in the data, so no proficiency rate is available. For a more recent school year, a single point of English language arts data reported a proficiency rate in a similar range. There is no multi-year trend available. A parent looking at these numbers should understand that alternative schools often serve students who have struggled in traditional settings, and standard state test participation and performance can reflect that mission rather than a straightforward measure of instructional quality. The school’s overall proficiency, based on the limited testing data available, sits in the bottom quartile when compared to other districts in Pierce County.
No graduation rate was reported for this school. No data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, course access, or staffing was available. Without these pieces, it is difficult to get a complete picture of student support, safety, or academic momentum. A parent considering this school would want to discuss graduation requirements, credit recovery options, and post-graduation planning directly with the school.
Oakland High sits within Tacoma, a mid-sized port city and the county seat of Pierce County. Tacoma blends a working waterfront and industrial port with distinct neighborhoods like Hilltop, Proctor, and the Stadium District. Healthcare and social assistance lead the local economy, followed by retail trade and educational services. The Port of Tacoma is a major center of international trade. Joint Base Lewis-McChord lies just south of the city. Tacoma is growing steadily, and housing costs in the school’s ZIP code are below the statewide median but still substantial. Rents have risen recently. The school is part of the Tacoma School District, which operates schools across Tacoma’s neighborhoods rather than from a single civic center.
For a family evaluating Oakland High, the key question is fit. This is not a comprehensive traditional high school. It is an alternative setting, and the data available suggests a student body with high economic need and a school where state test participation was low. A parent would want to learn directly from the school about the specific programs, support structures, and pathways it offers to help students earn a diploma and move on to work or further education.
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