Just enough parking around this high school, but beware for the staff parking spots if you are just here to tour. The football team was playing on the field while I was here, but it was really neat to see the waterfront view just there with the popularized cement stairs from the 10 Things I Hate About You movie. The high school is so rich in history on how the architectures came about, its original vision, and how it became a high school thereafter. Recommend that you read up on it online before you come by here because it is pretty interesting and not a long read at all. The high school is really beautiful outside, but I wish that we are able to enter inside like the high school in Utah where High School Musical was based would host for guests during after school hours, which are 0600 to 1500, or 6AM to 3PM. They had a scavenger hunt so you could go to all the film locations within that Utah high school, which I wish this high school could do for 10 Things I Hate About You. Nonetheless a pretty sight and the house of main characters', Kat and Bianca's, house is like a 1.6 mile drive away from here. read more

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The booster club hosts a viewing of 10 Things I Hate About You here and I LOVE it! The school looks just like in the movie, maybe even more magical. The water view and beautiful architecture are just amazing. We were in the stadium and the stairs killed us- these students must be in great shape! Lots of steps from street level down to the field. I was very happy to support the booster club and watch one of my favorite movies. They have a great parking garage with several entrances, and also some great street parking. Lots to do nearby- so much great food and wine. Excited to come to more events here someday! read more

If you've ever seen 10 Things I Hate About You, you'll instantly recognize this iconic high school! If you haven't, I highly recommend watching this fun take on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Stadium High School is a centerpiece of the film, with many scenes shot right on campus. Visiting in person felt like stepping onto a movie set! The drive from Seattle to Tacoma took about 45 minutes, and navigating the city was fairly simple. There's plenty of street parking around the school, but be mindful of your surroundings. I actually witnessed someone breaking into a car in broad daylight, so I opted to park around the corner on a busier street for peace of mind. The school itself is breathtaking--its grand, castle-like architecture makes for stunning photos. Around the side, you'll find the football field, which offers incredible views of the water and boats in the distance. The gates were open while people were exercising on the track, so we were able to walk right in. Just a heads-up: the stadium stairs are steep, and there's no alternate way back up, so take your time climbing! This spot is a must-visit for movie lovers, architecture admirers, or anyone looking to soak in a bit of cinematic history. Just remember--it's an active high school, so weekends are the best time to explore without disrupting students. read more

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Our Tacoma friends took us to see Stadium High School since it was near the brunch place we ate at, Art House Cafe. It was cool knowing that this was the set of the movie "10 Things I Hate About You." It was cool reading about the history behind it before they decided to use it as a school. We were also admiring the architecture of the building and how well-maintained it is. I don't think you're able to step foot on the property if you're not a student or staff member of the school, so we stayed on the sidewalk/pathway. We didn't take an actual tour of the school, but I remember seeing a sign that you're able to book a tour for after-hours (to be mindful of the safety of the students, teachers, and staff). Not too sure if it applies for post-pandemic. We didn't try since we weren't staying in Tacoma for that long. Parking is hard to find, but we found street parking. There seems to be a parking garage nearby, but it's probably for the students and teachers, and since it was summer break, the garage was closed. However, the staircase of the parking garage wasn't closed off or locked, so we walked to the top to see a better view of the stadium and school. read more

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Just stopped by after school hours for a few photos of the outside in acknowledgment of 10 Things I Hate about You. Can't imagine a nicer location to attend high school--beautiful building in a beautiful setting on the water. read more

Stadium High School was originally conceived as a luxury hotel - but through a series of fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on who you are) events - the city of Tacoma bought the shell of the building and completed it in 1906. The school looks just as it did on completion (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/stadium-high-school-tacoma?select=-yhbNFJ6nqVU7b8vYpOJzA#saQi6wwzkgKiz3Pf8wlMhw). The building and the bowl are the primary architectural jewels of Tacoma, which makes the addition of the new building that obscures the facade perplexing and a whispered disappointment to many residents. If you look to the right in this picture (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Tacoma_-_Stadium_High_School_pano_01.jpg) you will see the new building...if you come to visit, that's what you'll see from the street. You have to walk onto the grounds or go on a side street to get a proper view of "The Castle". Inside, it is a typical high school - stuffed to capacity with almost 2,000 students. The building's beauty does not make it impervious from rival schools referring to it as "Stay Dumb, Stay High". Yes, several things have been filmed here...point being, it IS a lovely building (if tough to see easily) and worth a stop if you visit Tacoma! read more

Stadium High School - The beautiful facade of Stadium HS - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I remember wondering what beautiful, sleepy New England town this school was located in when I saw that last scene in "10 Things I Hate About You" with the helicopter shot and Letters to Cleo playing on the roof. Click here to see Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYulwhgh1kU read more

Stadium High School - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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10 things I hate about you is is by far one of my favorite films of all time. So when it came to visiting Seattle this was a must see! Fortunately, I was able to get down to the field where Heath Ledger did his infamous dance. There have been some changes to the school since the movie was filmed. Where the parking lot was in the movie they tore that apart and built a parking garage. So you can easily go in there park your car even though it says authorized parking only. Just don't take too long lol. Super easy to walk right up to the front of the school. You cannot access the field from the outside entrance, when I went it was under construction or it just may actually be locked from creepy people like us trying to get inside. However, you can go inside the school take a left and go to the stairwell (that's where the flying paper scene was filmed) and go down three levels. Once you go out the doors, the door locks from the outside so you'll need to put something there to get back in. It's an ordinary school but with a Beautiful view out to the water, and defiantly and must see if you love the movie. read more

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Beautiful must see architecture. This is the school from the famous movie "10 Things I Hate About You" but it is also a functioning school that teaches some pretty lucky kids. We were in Tacoma on our way back to Sacramento from Seattle and we made it a point to stop here. Parking is terrible they don't make it easy for tourists but it is defiantly worth it. read more

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I couldn't figure out what this place was but I detour by here almost every day on my way home because I love the Harry Potter movies. Is that so wrong of me? I didn't go to school here but really wish I had because i've always wanted to meet Prof. Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Luna Lovegood. :o) Such a cool place. I wonder if they do tours? read more

I saw the same scene Maria L is talking about in 10 Things I Hate About You and it actually inspired me to spend part of my honeymoon in Tacoma just so I could see Stadium High School. Go ahead, call me a loser, I can take it. Seriously, though - the architecture of this place is incredible. And besides the beauty of the school, how about playing on a football field that overlooks the sound! It was definitely worth the little detour to see this place. And yes, I have the greatest husband in the world to agree to plan our honeymoon around something I saw in a movie. read more

I graduated from The Castle in 1981. If you think the facilities are lacking, you should have seen it in the 1980's! This is the most spectacular high school campus in the United States, and the City of Tacoma supported this by renovating this landmark in spite of the extraordinary expense to do so. Today's Stadium is up to date. I can't speak to today's sports teams. When I was a student, we only won 1 football game in 2+ seasons. But I was blessed to be watching my team play in the Stadium Bowl. Win or Lose, I enjoyed a fantastic experience by virtue of our locale. Tacoma's Stadium High School is not about today's sports "success" ... It is about History, Pride, Spirit, Community Support, and the Students who study in our Castle today. Stadium stands alone in its value and history, we are truly blessed. read more

So I might be a bit biased being a student, but this is just about the prettiest building in all of Tacoma. Stadium is that kind of picaresque place where people dream of going to school and I'm just that fortunate. read more

10 Things I Hate About You is one of my favorite movies and this is the school they used in the movie. It's more breathtaking in real life and I still can't believe I was able to see it in person. I might of had the urge to go down and reenact a certain dance number from the movie. But the football team was there and I prefer not to embarrass myself. I dislike driving and traffics but this destination made it all worth it. read more

Stadium High School - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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You've seen this place in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You with Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. We went there on a school day so kids were in classes though some of them were milling about outside the school. It's a great place to stop and take a few pix. Grab a coffee at Tully's and stop by. It's well worth the detour. read more

You're just too good to be true Can't take my eyes off of you You'd be like heaven to touch I wanna hold you so much At long last love has arrived And I thank God I'm alive You're just too good to be true Can't take my eyes off of you... Remember when Heath Ledger sang this serenade in "10 things I Hate About You?" If you were a teenage girl at that time, you must admit you and your girlfriends swooned at that scene. Getting more on topic... I love-love-love jogging at the stadium at Stadium High School. The stadium is not a full size track BUT water view in combination with jogging next to a building that looks like a castle more than makes up for it. You'll see the hard-core athletes practice running up and down the many steps here as well. read more

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful school. Great architecture, great view, just beautiful. I love the movie, "Ten things I hate about you". It was filmed there. If you get a chance to drive by and see it, you'll be amazed. Definitely worth the time. read more

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Stopped by while weekending in Tacoma and was blown away by the architecture - it is a grand beauty (originally built as a luxury resort overlooking the bay) and definitely worth a visit. read more

Stadium High School - Front entrance - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

The most gorgeous location in the 253. Obviously, this was the setting for the major motion picture, 10 Things I Hate About You, but that's old news. Just park in the parking garage off 3rd after hours, and come walk around the campus at sunset. Totally worth the time and light exercise. So beautiful. read more

It's been a long time since I've gone to one of the most beautiful high schools in the state! I first came here when I was in middle school for a state competition, and of course was then in love with the place having been a huge fan of 10 Things I Hate About You. Since I was there for a competition, I was able to go into the school, which was really cool, to see where certain movie scenes were filmed such as the cafeteria and hallways. And of course the best scene in the film is when Patrick Verona is wooing Kat from the bleachers at the stadium, and you can see the stadium on the left side of the school through the gate. (I love how the film kept the school colors of the high school of blue and yellow.) Since I was already in Tacoma I decided to revisit and it's as beautiful as ever. It's a historic building that was built for a chateau-like hotel, but was purchased by the City to serve as a public high school. I love that its location is on a hill that overlooks the water, and is walking distance to the Stadium Historic District neighborhood. read more

Don't know how the school itself is, but when I finally visited Stadium High School during my last visit to Tacoma, I was pretty impressed with how nice it really was. It's a gorgeous building with a stadium that overlooks the water. The field was in disrepair but it looks like they were prepping to resurface it at some point. Definitely a neat stop to check-out if you have any 10 Things I Hate About You fans in your midst. read more

Beautiful school. Lucky kids who go here!! We managed to seek inside through the back door. The inside has these never ending stairs and standard classrooms. I believe I saw a stage that was pretty--below the stairs. That black and white check board tile is what makes it feel luxurious. Next time, I am going to explore more. read more

As a graduate I can't sing this places praises enough. Fantastic view and great atmosphere. Watching football and soccer in the bowl was awesome. I just hope the kids there these days are showing this place some respect (especially after the huge renovation they get to enjoy). read more