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Decatur High School
School Profile

School Website: http://www.fwps.org/decatur/

 

2800 S.W. 320th St.
Federal Way, WA 98023
(253) 945-5200
Principal, Tom Leacy (Since 2003)
School Built: 1976
School last remodeled: 2002
Number of classrooms: 68
View the official 2008-09 School Profile (61K PDF)

Decatur High


School Information

 

What is Special About Our School?

The mission of Decatur High School is to create diverse learning opportunities that reflect the skills and attitudes required for self-directed life-long learning and career preparation.

Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-AP programs at Decatur are growing. The school’s largest numbers of AP students ever, are participating in Biology, Calculus AB, Chemistry, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, French Language, Physics B, Spanish Language, Statistics, United States Government and Politics, United States History, and World History during the year. The Pre-AP program for 9th and 10th graders includes English, History of the Pacific Region, Science 9, and Biology.

A comprehensive Career and Technical Education program includes courses in American Sign Language, Art, Automotive Technology, Business Education, Careers with Children, Commercial Photography, Design Technology, Engineering (Project Lead the Way), Family Psychology, Financial Literacy, Health, Horticulture, Leadership, Marketing, Nutrition and Wellness, Sports Medicine, and Yearbook.

The Decatur community has established a reputation for respect for all. With a diverse student population, the staff, students, and parents operate on two tracks:  the education of students and a safe environment.  The differences in hues in the fabric of the population make Decatur a bright and appealing place to be.

Decatur High School serves grades 9-12 with a student population of 1,423. Decatur is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

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

ADL Club DECA/Student Store Odyssey of the Mind
Advanced Placement/Pre-AP Diversity Club Orchestra
American Sign Language Drama Pacific Islander Club
AmeriCorps Driver’s Education Photography
Art ELL English Language Learners Project Lead the Way
Associated Student Body ASB ELO Extended Learning Opportunities PTSA
Athletics – SPSL League Fashion REACH Club
Automotive/VICA NATEF Cert. FBLA Future Business Leaders of America School Newspaper/Journalism
AVID (Advance Via Individual Determination) FCCLA Family Career Community Leaders of America Spanish
Badminton Club French Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Band (Concert, Wind Ensemble, Marching, Drum Line, Pep & Jazz) Gators Taking Action (World Affairs Club) Special Ed Inclusion
Cheer Squad/Team Horticulture Program Special Ed Resource Room
Chess Club Key Club Special Ed Self-contained
Choir (Treble, Concert & Jazz) Leadership Sports Medicine
Creative Writing Club Math Team Summer School/Classes
Dance/Drill Team National Honor Society Yearbook/Annual

Student Characteristics

Distribution of Student Ethnicity

2006 2007 2008
African American 13.49 15.40 16.78

Asian American

14.36 12.90 12.42

Hispanic

11.65 12.90 14.63

Native American

1.85 1.80 1.37

White

55.14 52.40 48.76
Pac Islander 2.83 3.30 4.29
Multi-Racial .49 .80 1.43

Other Student Characteristics

2006

2007 2008

Number of Students (Oct.)

1,600

1,529 1,498

Free/Reduced Meals

35.4%

36.7% 35.0%

How Are We Using Our Financial Resources?

Our District Our School
“Per Pupil” Expenditures for 2007-08 Funding

Total Expenditure

$8,902.00

Building Expenditures

$361,469.32

Supplies & Instructional Materials

$512.00

ASB (Associated Student Body)  Expenditures

$694,794.00

Equipment

$51.00    

Decatur High School used resources to support student learning and academic achievement. Costs include library reference materials, textbooks, printing, copying, capital replacement, and building repairs.

High School Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2008

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

Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL)

Percentage Meeting Standard in:

Grade 10

 

 

   

Math

2005

2006

2007 2008

School

52.0

51.0

54.0 48.0

District

51.0

54.0

53.0 51.0

 

 

 

   

Reading

2005

2006

2007 2008

School

83.0

88.0

82.0 83.0

District

79.0

87.0

87.0 87.0

 

 

 

   

Writing

2005

2006

2007 2008

School

74.0

87.0

82.0 90.0

District

75.0

84.0

87.0 92.0

 

 

 

   

Science

2005

2006

2007 2008

School

31.0

37.0

34.0 35.0

District

33.0

36.0

38.0 45.0