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Average

#983 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 44% in state

Aspire Middle School

Middle School · North Thurston Public Schools

5900 54th Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98513

Enrollment

306

Student-Teacher

20.4:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lacey

#6 of 24

public schools

Washington middle schools

#92 of 374

In district

#6 of 24

North Thurston Public Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Aspire Middle School

Aspire Middle School serves 306 students in grades 6-8 in Lacey, Washington, earning recognition as a strong academic performer in the state. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking 390th out of 2,261 Washington schools, the school places in the 83rd percentile statewide. The academic program demonstrates notable success, with 71% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Math across all grade levels.

The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.4 to 1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers providing instruction. This staffing structure supports the school's solid academic performance, reflected in its impressive 8.7 out of 10 academic score. Aspire Middle School draws families from the surrounding 98513 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $99,787 and the median home value is $391,800.

The community shows strong educational values, with 33% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 9.3%. Located on 54th Avenue SE in this small city setting within Thurston County, Aspire Middle School serves a stable, economically diverse community that values educational achievement.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Aspire Middle School is 20.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66%
Math vs. State Avg+21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.5 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,854

Aspire Middle School — Students at Aspire Middle School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.5%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
71%
ELA
74%
2022
ELA
68%
2024
Math
60.4%
ELA
65.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.

How Aspire Middle School Compares

See how Aspire Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in WA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

5900 54th Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98513

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Aspire Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakes Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lacey, see our Lacey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Lakes Elementary School Lacey 0.4 mi 7.7
Timberline High School Lacey 0.5 mi 7.0
Chambers Prairie Elementary School Lacey 0.7 mi 6.4
TEMPLE BAPTIST ACADEMY Lacey 1.2 mi 6.9
Komachin Middle School Lacey 1.3 mi 5.8
Horizons Elementary Lacey 1.3 mi 4.6
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Lacey 1.7 mi 8.2
Woodland Elementary Lacey 1.3 mi 6.5
Lacey Elementary Lacey 2.0 mi 4.7
Mountain View Elementary Lacey 2.1 mi 5.3
POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL Lacey 2.5 mi 7.5
PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey 2.8 mi 8.0
THE PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL Lacey 2.8 mi 7.6
Seven Oaks Elementary Lacey 2.5 mi 6.6
OLYMPIA WALDORF SCHOOL Olympia 2.7 mi 6.4
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lacey 2.9 mi 7.2
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lacey 2.9 mi 6.0
East Olympia Elementary Olympia 3.0 mi 6.5
Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey 2.5 mi 6.5
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Lacey 3.5 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98513 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,270

Median Home Value

$443,300

Median Rent

$1,897/mo

Population

37,953

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

78.9%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

38.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Aspire Middle School has a median household income of $108,270. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $443,300, with a median rent of $1,897/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Riverside Middle School Chattaroy, WA 6.6
Royal Middle School Royal City, WA 6.6
Lincoln Middle School Clarkston, WA 6.5
Pleasant Valley Middle Battle Ground, WA 6.5
Kettle Falls Middle School Kettle Falls, WA 6.7
Okanogan Middle School Okanogan, WA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Aspire Middle School

What grades does Aspire Middle School serve?

Aspire Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Aspire Middle School?

Aspire Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Aspire Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Aspire Middle School is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Aspire Middle School rank in WA?

Aspire Middle School is ranked #983 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Aspire Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Aspire Middle School has a composite rating of 6.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Aspire Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Aspire Middle School has 62.5% math proficiency and 67.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Aspire Middle School a charter school?

No, Aspire Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Aspire Middle School a Title I school?

No, Aspire Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Aspire Middle School?

35.0% of students at Aspire Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,662/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lacey). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Thurston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Thurston Public Schools
District Enrollment
15,197
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,096
District Rank
#6 of 24

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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