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Average

#1059 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 48% in state

Baker Middle School

Middle School · Tacoma School District

8001 So J Street, Tacoma, WA 98408

Enrollment

647

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,059 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#34 of 88

public schools

In district

#24 of 62

Tacoma School District

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Baker Middle School

6.5/10

Middle School in Tacoma · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fern Hill Elementary School

6.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Birney Elementary School

5.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Baker Middle School

Baker Middle School is a public middle school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Baker Middle School serves approximately 647 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Baker Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,059 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Baker Middle School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

53% of students at Baker Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.8% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-17.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,679
Chronic Absenteeism52.9%

Baker Middle School — Students at Baker Middle School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 43.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
32%
ELA
48%
2010
Math
34%
ELA
46%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
18.6%
ELA
36%
2024
Math
21.3%
ELA
39.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.

How Baker Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in WA
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8001 So J Street, Tacoma, WA 98408

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Baker Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Stewart Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Angelo Giaudrone Middle School (rated 3.8/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma 0.3 mi 6.2
Birney Elementary School Tacoma 0.4 mi 5.1
Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 3.9
Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma 0.9 mi 4.6
Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.6
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma 1.1 mi 5.1
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 1.4 mi 4.4
SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 1.3 mi 6.7
Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 6.1
Mann Elementary School Tacoma 1.8 mi 8.2
Arlington Elementary School Tacoma 1.4 mi 6.1
CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 1.8 mi 7.1
CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 1.8 mi 5.6
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 2.0 mi 8.6
Stewart Middle School Tacoma 2.0 mi 5.6
Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma 2.0 mi 3.8
Edison Elementary School Tacoma 1.9 mi 7.7
Boze Elementary School Tacoma 1.8 mi 7.0
Lyon Elementary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 8.8
Sheridan Elementary School Tacoma 2.1 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98408 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,855

Median Home Value

$379,400

Median Rent

$1,610/mo

Population

20,469

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

67.4%

Avg Commute

28.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Franklin Middle School Yakima, WA 6.5
Greenacres Middle School Spokane Valley, WA 6.5
Ridgeline Middle School Yelm, WA 6.5
Thurgood Marshall Middle School Olympia, WA 6.5
Vera Risdon Middle School Newcastle, WA 6.5
Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham, WA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Baker Middle School

What grades does Baker Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Baker Middle School?

Baker Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 647 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Baker Middle School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Baker Middle School rank in WA?

Baker Middle School ranks #1,059 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Baker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Baker Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Baker Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Baker Middle School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Baker Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Baker Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

79.8% of students at Baker 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

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
647
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.9%

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#24 of 62

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