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What is Special About Our School?

TAF Academy is a 6th-12th grade public school of choice with a mission to prepare every student for college and for life through a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) focused curriculum. Our goal is to enlist students as active participants in their education and help them cultivate a keen awareness of their important role in the world.

TAF Academy provides a rigorous and relevant learning environment designed for today's college-bound students. Our small, public school setting reflects what researchers know about small schools—that they tend to positively impact academic achievement, student behavior and attendance rates, among other factors.

TAF Academy was established in 2008 as the result of a unique public-private partnership between the FWPS district and TAF, a nonprofit organization (founded as Technology Access Foundation) that is a known leader in STEM education. Additional support from TAF ensures that TAF Academy has access to cutting-edge research, best classroom practices, and the latest technology learning tools. This one-of-a-kind partnership affords students unique educational experiences and produces excellent outcomes through the public school system.

TAF Academy strives to create reflective students and self-empowered agents who will work for local, national, and global change and equity. Teachers, administrators, parents, and community members work together to facilitate student learning and to meet our shared goal of success for each TAF Academy student.

2012 marks our inaugural TAF Academy High School Graduation. TAF Academy celebrates this exceptional group of seniors, who have served as pioneers and school leaders who have helped advance a culture of excellence in this community. Future data on student matriculation into college will be provided when available.

TAF Academy is a part of Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS). We are situated in Kent, Washington between the campuses of Totem Middle School and Star Lake Elementary School.

No Child Left Behind Report Card

The No Child Left Behind Act requires all schools and school districts in the United States to prepare annual reports for parents and the public detailing their academic achievement. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s web site makes this information available on-line at http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ Click on Federal Way in the “Summary” box, then choose your school from the list. You may also request a paper copy of the report card at your school’s office. For more information about the NCLB Act, go to http://www.nclb.gov/index.html.

Academic and Student Programs

Replace with the following:	Advanced Placement Courses (AP World History, AP Language Arts)
ASB	Chinese (Mandarin) Language Club
College Readiness	Digital Communications Group
Extended Learning Opportunities	FIRST Lego Robotics
Internships	Math Team
National Junior Arts Honor Society	Project-Based Learning
Speech Club	Speech Team
Teacher-Scientist Partnership

**Programs will grow based on student interest and need.

Student Characteristics

Distribution by Gender	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12
Male	57.70%	59%	54%
Female	42.30%	41%	46%
Distribution of Student Ethnicity	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12
African American	22.28	17.60%	15.70%
Asian American / Pacific Islander	13.99	13.20%	14.50%
Hispanic	20.73	22%	20.40%
Native American	0.52	0.50%	0.90%
White	37.31	37.10%	36.60%
Multi-Racial/Other	4.66	9.60%	11.90%
Other Student Characteristics	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12
Number of Students (as of Nov. 1)	187	205	235
Free/Reduced Meals	54.74%	50.70%	49.80%
ELL/Transitional Bilingual	1.60%	1.90%	2.50%
IEP	5.30%	9.00%	7.60%

How Are We Using Our Financial Resources?

Our District "Per Pupil" Expenditures for 2009-10 Total Expenditure $9,535.47 Supplies & Instructional Materials $485.87 Equipment $56.13

Our School Funding School Operating Budget $106,895.00 Resale  $4,713.00 Gifts & Donations -0- Loss of Planning -0- Total Building Expenditures $111,608.00 ASB (Associated Student Body) Expenditures $2,948.00

High School Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2008 and beyond

Because student learning is the critical product of education, the Federal Way Public Schools Board of Education has established grade level expectations for students to receive a high school diploma. 

With the Class of 2000 and beyond, students shall achieve 23.5 high school graduation credits to be eligible to receive a high school diploma.  The equivalent of 90 class periods of 50 minutes each equals 0.5 credits toward graduation.

To qualify for high school graduation in Federal Way Public Schools, students must receive at least a “C-“ grade in each of the required courses.  For information on specific course requirements, see the following web site: www.fwps.org/info/policies/2000/2410.htm

How Are Our Students Doing on Required Tests?

Measure of Student Progress (MSP)
Beginning in the spring of 2010, the state of Washington requires that the MSP be given in third through eighth grade.

High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE)
Beginning in the spring of 2010, the state of Washington requires the HSPE be given in tenth and eleventh grade.

The WASL has been replaced in 2010 with the HSPE and MSP.

Percentage Meeting Standard in:

Grade 6	WASL	WASL	WASL	MSP
Math	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	35.4	47.9
District	.0	.0	50.5	54.4
Reading	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	85.4	64.6
District	.0	.0	72.5	63.9

 

Grade 7	WASL	WASL	WASL	MSP
Math	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	45.2	49.0
District	54.0	52.0	51.0	55.0
Reading	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	62.0	62.7
District	72.4	67.0	60.0	62.4
Writing	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	54.8	68.6
District	70.7	73.0	69.0	71.4

 

Grade 8	WASL	WASL	WASL	MSP
Math	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	.0	38.3
District	50.0	53.0	55.0	55.0
Reading	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	.0	78.7
District	69.0	70.0	71.0	71.4
Science	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	.0	46.8
District	40.0	43.0	48.0	45.2

 

Grade 10	WASL	WASL	WASL	HSPE
Math	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	.0	29.6
District	53.0	51.0	49.0	43.1
Reading	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	.0	67.9
District	87.0	87.0	88.0	77.5
Writing	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	.0	96.4
District	87.0	92.0	91.0	84.4
Science	2007	2008	2009	2010
School	.0	.0	.0	18.5
District	38.0	45.0	39.0	39.9