Federal Way Public Academy

I have attended FWPA since 6th grade. and OMG yess i love it. Ok, so a lot of people say that the grades dropped as soon as they got into FWPA and they are blaming...what?..the school? Uhh whyy? It's a school that challenges students. If you didn't want a challenge then don't come in the first place . Our school is like no other it is so unique. ENJOY.

I am a student at FWPA and I've been there since 6th grade. Not once have I ever regretted staying because I absolutely love it there. Sure we have a lot of homework, but it's all preparation. You can't get to the best schools being coddled. There are a decent amount of after school activities and people can always start clubs with approval from the teachers. I think this is the one school with a true family atmosphere. The teachers genuinely care, and they're more like friends who can help you with their experience and knowlege. I've met a lot of friends from all grades, it's hard not to know somebody at FWPA. Some reviews complain that they're child's grades dropped but whose fault is it really? It's definitely not the school who is just trying to help their students be succesful in life. I totally recommend this school!

This school challenged me and was the best possible prep for college. I haven't found an academic environment as good in any other high school I've heard about or visited.

We love this school! My son attended FWPA from 6th through 9th before moving into the IB Program at Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Lauer and the staff there were incredible and the academic progress my son made in those years helped him get into a great university with solid skills. I'm stunned that there are students and parents complaining about FWPA concentrating on academics. Students actually have to choose to go to FWPA and there is a long waiting list every year. If you didn't understand what the FWPA charter was, you shouldn't have signed up and prevented other students from attending who actually wanted to succceed academically.
—Submitted by a parent

this school i believe is the most horrible excuse as a school. the teachers are always picking favorites. yes it's like family there ONLY if your asian. they (the teachers and students) are not accepting to other culture they are always biased and offending. i did not like it one bit and i encourage ppl NOT to go there.

As a school board director looking for quality programs. I was very impressed by this school. Student involvement appears to be one of respect for each other and their school. I observed students interacting in class rooms and hall ways without adult suprevision and respecting each other. Plants throughout the school which would never last in our district. Qualtity of education can be proven with factual statistics. Ron Morehouse

In this school the teacherss pick favorites and if any student isn't their favorite they smash them into the ground. I went to this school one month and hated it. This was the third school I had gone to in my entire life so I might not have much experience with recommending schools but this school givews way too much homework, your family is always going to be stressed out and your students always tired. I wouldn't want my worst enemy going here.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter and my son both attended this school after transfering from Sequoyah at semester last year. Immediately they were bullied. My daughters grades were usually always 4.0 but once she transfered to Sac. her gpa began to lower too much I am talking 2.8! My son remained a steady 3.56 but he as well alwaysed had 4.0. After 3 months of being there were transfered to Illahee. They love it there!
—Submitted by a parent

none yet, but interested in finding out more about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is superb. The friends you make here really last a life time. I attended this school for only one year (I wish I could have stayed longer), but that is the year that I made my closest friends. The atmosphere is really like a family, and you feel close to everyone. The teachers are great, too. I really learned a lot in this school. There are times that you can really hate your teachers for giving you so much homework or making you do things that seem dumb, but when you look back, you really appreciate them. I do. I've gained a really thorough knowledge of each subject. If you go here, you'll WANT to get up and go to school in the morning.
—Submitted by a student

I have had 2 students go through the Academy (last one is 9th) 2 completely different types of student. I find the school to be excellent in alot of ways, the teachers care about the students. Truly want to help them succeed
—Submitted by a parent

Great kids and excellent teachers! This is his 4th yr attending and my son loves the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a part of this school from 6th-9th. My name is Larry Chang and leaving this school for 10th grade was the biggest mistake I have made. This school provides a atmosphere where student can bond like family. According to the other students and parents, this schools only for nerds, brainiacs, and people who have no life other than to study. We'll no offense to them, but they really don't see what this school is really made for. Yes there is no PE course but it is a place where student can bond with one another with out the fear of being picked on. Overall it is a family like atmosphere. Yes, you are hearing this from a student, but I have the proof that this is really a great school. And besides all the staff there are considered family to me.
—Submitted by a student

I went to this school in 9th grade and I didn't like being there at all. The teachers have huge ego's and they never listen to anything students say. I didn't like a teachers and I didn't like the curriculum. The school prides it self on being a 'college prep' academy that challenges it students, but I don't feel like I was challenged at all I just felt pressure from the teachers to NOT fail! And trust me this it wasn't because they were worried or that they were trying to be supportive or anything; FWPA's principal and teachers are just overly concerned with the school's reputation. The principal is really noisy; he gets into everyone's business. They have a cross country team, but they don't compete and they have an adventure crew for PE credits.
—Submitted by a student

FWPA is a special kind of school. It is a place where the teachers, staff, students, and parents become a family. The teachers honestly care about the students and will do whatever it takes to help them succeed not only in school, but in life. The principal is a wonderful, caring man who makes sure that the kids are getting an excellent education. PE classes are not offered, but after school activities such as cross country, archery, tennis, bowling, soccer, are.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is mostly focused around academics. My children and I personally don;t like this school because they don't give students a chance to explore different things like sports or arts. My son was a phenomenal athlete but didn't kno until he went to illahee for his 8th grade year. The coaches at Illahee are great, especially Mr. Wood and Mr. Eilertson! If you want your child to learn about things other than academics, FWPA is not the school for you!
—Submitted by a parent

I was a part of the Federal Way Public Academy's first sixth grade class (in 2003-2004), and I am a tenth grader now and have been going here for 5 years. As of yet the best decision I ever made in my life was going to this school. I am an extremely bright student (I am actually skipping high school to go to the UW Honors Colege next year) and in my elementary years I was extremely underchallenged and often picked on by other students. However at the Academy, everything changed. Not only was the academic work rigorous, but the vast majority of the kids were very nice and hard working like me. Although the school does have its downsides, such as no in school PE and lots of homework, I would highly reccomend this school to any student who wants to make academics a priority in their lives.
—Submitted by a student

This school is great for people who want to be challenged in academics but, if you want to be challenged in physical education you need to get up and leave this school because FWPA is a college prep school. I am not a big fan on academics but I love the school, the teachers, and the students. Some teachers can be a pain in the butt but its because they care and they want you to succeed or your just on their bad side...just joking. I actually thought one of my teachers hated me but I learned that she didn't hate me she wanted me to succeed in school. So after all it is a great school.
—Submitted by a student

If you want your kids to have many all-around skills, this is NOT the school that you're looking for. This school only focuses on academics. There is no athletics program, and their arts program isn't very big. Students won't have a chance to know if they're talented in other categories. My son didn't know that he would be a super athlete until he went to Illahee! But for the brainiacs who need a challenge, this school is great!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that attend FWPA. We love the school, and because my children are small for their age, and very smart, I am sure they would have been the target for bullies at the regular middle school. The teachers are great and they care about the kids there. They make sure you know if you child is behind in homework, not just at report card time. It is definitely a place my children will flourish!
—Submitted by a parent