North Thurston High School, located in the North Thurston Public Schools District in Lacey, Washington, United States, is a comprehensive high school which opened in 1955. North Thurston serves a portion of Lacey and northeast Thurston County.
Serving 1,378 students in grades 9-12, North Thurston High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Washington for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 33% (which is lower than the Washington state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 74% (which is higher than the Washington state average of 53%).
The student-teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Washington state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Washington state average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,378 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 86% (Top 50% in WA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 33% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 74% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 62% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
North Thurston High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
North Thurston High School's student population of 1,378 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 64 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,378 students
Total Classroom Teachers
64 teachers
Year Founded
1955
Colors
Blue and Gold
School Rankings
North Thurston High School ranks within the top 50% of all 2,088 schools in Washington (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of North Thurston High School is 0.73, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#712 out of 2088 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
74%
53%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
49%
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
9%
9%
Hispanic
27%
27%
Black
4%
5%
White
42%
47%
Hawaiian
4%
2%
Two or more races
13%
9%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
86%
84%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)20.2%
34.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
39%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
11%
9%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Rams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North Thurston High School's ranking?
North Thurston High School is ranked #712 out of 2,088 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Washington.
What schools are North Thurston High School often compared to?
North Thurston High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like River Ridge High School, Timberline High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
33% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 41% WA state average), while 74% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 53% WA state average).
What is the graduation rate of North Thurston High School?
The graduation rate of North Thurston High School is 86%, which is higher than the Washington state average of 84%.
How many students attend North Thurston High School?
1,378 students attend North Thurston High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
42% of North Thurston High School students are White, 27% of students are Hispanic, 13% of students are Two or more races, 9% of students are Asian, 4% of students are Black, 4% of students are Hawaiian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of North Thurston High School?
North Thurston High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Washington state average of 17:1.
What grades does North Thurston High School offer ?
North Thurston High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is North Thurston High School part of?
North Thurston High School is part of North Thurston School District.
School Reviews
Review North Thurston High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
