Welcome to North Thurston Public Schools!
Secondary students are given Chromebooks through our 1:1 program.
We have a proud tradition of excellence in education and community support. Our more than 2,000 high-quality, dedicated staff prepare all students for rewarding careers, fulfilling lives, and compassionate global citizenship. Together with our community, we support our student's physical, social/emotional, and academic needs to help them become college- and career-ready upon graduation.
NTPS includes 24 schools:
- 13 elementary schools (Pre-K through 5th grade)
- 4 middle schools (6th through 8th grade)
- 3 comprehensive high schools (9th through 12th grade)
- 4 choice schools (a virtual school, a home-based instruction support school, a performing arts middle school, and a CTE-centered high school)
We believe all students can learn and grow; therefore, we embrace the responsibility to ensure the success of every student. Our strong partnership with families begins at an early age. We offer several early learning opportunities for our community’s youngest learners, including our preschool program (offered at four elementary schools) and our full-day kindergarten program, now available in each elementary school. We offer Future Ready Kindergarten at several elementary schools to support eligible children who will be entering kindergarten the following year. In addition, our Family Partnership Center houses the Capitol Forest Cooperative Preschool Program, which provides quality preschool programming for children 2–5 years of age.
We are proud of our students' success. Thanks to community support, we are able to offer a wide range of academic, enrichment, intervention, and support programs for all our students. We provide highly capable programming in middle school and offer more than 100 dual high school/college credit options through Career and Technical Education, College in the High School, and Advanced Placement courses. Our on-time graduation rates are higher than the state average, and we have maintained that distinction for more than five years!
Our special education program ensures all students receive a quality education.
Of course, we could not do all we do for students without the support of our community. In 2020, our community overwhelmingly approved a record $275 million bond package to modernize several schools, including renovations at River Ridge High School and Komachin Middle School, safety and technology upgrades, and reinvestment in community-shared playgrounds and athletic fields! In 2024, our voters approved a replacement education programs and operations levy and a capital levy for safety, technology, and facilities improvement. Our levy dollars currently make up about 17.35 percent of our operating budget, providing for wonderful access to activities and athletics; teachers in the areas of art, music, and P.E.; and additional staff to provide physical and mental health services; and professional development for our staff. We also enjoy strong relationships with dozens of local businesses and nonprofit organizations through our Partners in Education (P.I.E.) and Helping Hands programs. Further, our students benefit from local youth services and childcare options, including the Boys & Girls Club of Lacey, the South Sound YMCA, Together! and the City of Lacey.