Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Ferris High School

Public | 9-12 | 1641 students

 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 1 rating

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

12 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted July 10, 2012

This school is the best you could hope to have. My parents hate it, but i think this school has amazing students, understanding teachers and there programs are phenomenal, if you want a high school just right for your kids, this is the perfect place


Posted April 23, 2012

Ferris features a plethora of extracurricular activities, and nearly everyone is doing at least one or two (or three, or four, or ten). The Wind Ensemble is one of the best in the state, as is the football team. The latter has won several state championships as well as academic state championships. The basketball team is also pretty good. The Canterbury Belles (an all-female, audition-only choir) are good on a national level. Unfortunately, rules are seldom if ever enforced, so the school is marred by extreme amounts of profanity, inappropriate attire, vandalism, smoking, and general lack of tact. This alone is what causes the school to be 3/5 rather than 5/5. Lots of AP programs are offered as well.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 8, 2010

Ferris is a wonderful school. Despite some reviews stating the teachers are difficult to communicate with, I find the opposite; Every request or concern I have stressed has been handled with the greatest concern for my child. I have not had much luck with the counselor as she doesn't seemed the least bit interested. So I prefer to go through the teachers. Music program is awesome!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 18, 2009

Excellent school, great classes, fun students, great sports, amazing music program. My child loves it here.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 25, 2009

The school is generally fine as far as public school education, but the teachers are difficult to communicate with, the counselors are too busy to really pay much attention to individual students, and the administrative staff consistently treats parents as if they are an inconvenience--the opposite of friendly customer service. There are some shining exceptions, but generally speaking we would give the school a low rating from a parent perspective. As alumns and the parents of three kids that have gone to Ferris, have a good deal of experience with the school. Our kids have been good students, many honors classes, involved in varsity sports, etc., but we are glad to be moving on.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 8, 2008

Everyone has commented on the music programs, which as have been stated, are amazing! The Wind Ensemble and Advanced Percussion groups put on great shows and recieves awards every year. But we also have a great ASB, and sports programs. Our Boys Football and Basketball teams are always at the top of the highly competitive GSL.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 23, 2007

As a former student now attending a public University in Washington, I can say that Ferris prepared me very well for the rigor of college academics. The honors and AP programs at Ferris were just as rigorous as my honors classes in college, and the high expectations of my former teachers are equal to the expectations of my professors now. Also, Ferris has an excellent music program that I was a part of for all four years. The program includes students of many skill levels and stresses having fun and learning to improve music skills rather than being competitive.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted March 28, 2006

Great school. Wonderful music program. Teachers really care.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted December 2, 2005

Most of the teachers are absolutely terrible and do not have even mediocre expectations for student performance. Many teachers do not respond to parent communications and when they do, the issue is not addressed. Students at this school are not prepared for the future as grammatical and analytical skills are not reinforced. The administration also does not repond to many parent communication and concerns and this frustrates the parent and escalates the concern to the superintendent and/or state level for resolution.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 7, 2005

Ferris offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities to supplement a very strong academic program. The music program has consistently been one of the top programs in the state over the past ten years. The staff stresses strong academic and athletic performance. In 2004-2005, Ferris won the prestigious WIAA scholastic cup, recognizing the succes academically and competitively of the extracurricular program. Ferris is a comprehensive high school, offering a wide variety of academic programs ranging from remedial to AP programs in all academic disciplines. Every spring, the Ferris PTG sponsors a variety show which raises over $50,000 annually to support both academic and extracurricular programs.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted September 2, 2005

Decent school. High expectations. Excellent honors programs.
—Submitted by Richard, a parent


Posted March 8, 2005

Ferris doesn't really have any extracurricular activites, and most of the ones they have are pretty expensive. They dont have much punishment, when i drop my kids off at school I see about 50 students outside smoking on school grounds.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 56% in 2012.

246 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
n/a
Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 81% in 2012.

119 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
98%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 91% in 2012.

124 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
100%
Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 45% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Integrated Math 2

The state average for Integrated Math 2 was 94% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 27% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
46%
Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 61% in 2012.

366 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 59% in 2012.

162 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
84%
Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 23% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Integrated Math 2

The state average for Integrated Math 2 was 36% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 27% in 2012.

14 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
21%

2011

 
 
n/a
Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 44% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 37% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
64%
Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 15% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Integrated Math 2

The state average for Integrated Math 2 was 21% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 20% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 36% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 27% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Integrated Math 1

The state average for Integrated Math 1 was 29% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Students70%
Female65%
Male74%
Black36%
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanic53%
Multiracial67%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White74%
Low income61%
Not low income79%
Special education50%
Not special education72%
Limited English50%
Migrantn/a

Biology I

All Students98%
Female100%
Male97%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracial100%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White99%
Low income95%
Not low income99%
Special educationn/a
Not special education98%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Geometry

All Students100%
Female100%
Male100%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracial100%
Pacific Islandern/a
White100%
Low income100%
Not low income100%
Not special education100%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Integrated Math 1

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special educationn/a
Limited Englishn/a

Integrated Math 2

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Not special educationn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low income24%
Not low incomen/a
Special education24%
Not special educationn/a
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Biology I

All Students83%
Female82%
Male84%
Black79%
Asian39%
Asian/Pacific Islander36%
Hispanic60%
Multiracial65%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White88%
Low income69%
Not low income91%
Special education68%
Not special education85%
Limited English14%
Migrantn/a

Geometry

All Students78%
Female82%
Male75%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White79%
Low income72%
Not low income83%
Special education87%
Not special education77%
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Integrated Math 1

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Not special educationn/a

Integrated Math 2

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special educationn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Students21%
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special education21%
Limited English18%
Migrantn/a

Biology I

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special educationn/a
Limited Englishn/a

Geometry

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Male46%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
Whiten/a
Low income56%
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special educationn/a
Limited Englishn/a
Migrantn/a

Integrated Math 1

All Studentsn/a

Integrated Math 2

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special educationn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Algebra I

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Special educationn/a
Not special educationn/a
Limited Englishn/a

Biology I

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Not special educationn/a

Geometry

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Asian/Pacific Islandern/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low incomen/a
Not low incomen/a
Not special educationn/a
Limited Englishn/a

Integrated Math 1

All Studentsn/a
Whiten/a
Not special educationn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used End-of-Course (EOC) examinations to assess students in Algebra I, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, and Biology. The EOC tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Math

The state average for Math was 42% in 2010.

351 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
54%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 81% in 2012.

372 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
89%
Science

The state average for Science was 50% in 2011.

376 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
66%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 85% in 2012.

363 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
92%
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) to test students in reading and writing in grade 10. Math skills are tested by the End-of-Course (EOC) exams. The HSPE is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Reading

All Students85%
Female89%
Male82%
Black57%
Asian54%
Asian/Pacific Islander57%
Hispanic73%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White89%
Low income72%
Not low income93%
Special education66%
Not special education87%
Limited English13%
Migrantn/a

Writing

All Students85%
Female90%
Male81%
Black79%
Asian62%
Asian/Pacific Islander64%
Hispanic67%
Native Americann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White88%
Low income74%
Not low income92%
Special education81%
Not special education86%
Limited English21%
Migrantn/a
Scale: % basic, level 3, or level 4

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Washington used the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) to test students in reading and writing in grade 10. Math skills are tested by the End-of-Course (EOC) exams. The HSPE is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Washington. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Washington's state standards

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 83% 63%
Asian 5% 7%
Black 4% 5%
Two or more races 4% 5%
Hispanic 2% 18%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 2%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 135%N/A40%
Special education 29%N/A13%
Transitional bilingual 24%N/A8%
Source: 1 NCES, 2010-2011
Source: 2 WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per classroom teacher 14N/A17
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Average years educational experience 14N/A12
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Master's degree or higher 81%N/A66%
Source: WA OSPI, 2009-2010

This school has not yet provided programming information.

Schools, join today to tell families more about what you offer.

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events found for this school
Searching for school events...
Date
Title
  • {{date}}
    {{title}}
Export calendar
Microsoft Outlook
iCal Format
Google Calendar
POWERED BY
Tandem
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

3020 East 37th Ave
Spokane, WA 99223
Phone: (509) 354-6000

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT