Average
#1001 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 45% 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
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
647
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#37 of 83
public schools
Washington middle schools
#97 of 374
In district
#28 of 62
Tacoma School District
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Baker Middle School
Baker Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 647 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers. While Baker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating is relatively low at 4.9 out of 10, indicating room for improvement in academic performance, the school continues to focus on providing a supportive learning environment.
Academically, about 40% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while proficiency rates stand at 23% in Math and 26% in Science. These scores suggest that there is significant potential for academic growth among the student body. Baker Middle School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Pierce County.
Despite the lack of specific neighborhood data, the school community works to engage students and provide them with the resources needed to succeed academically and personally.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Baker Middle School — Students at Baker Middle School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How Baker Middle School Compares
See how Baker Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 21.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 39.8% (2024).
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. Angelo Giaudrone Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Stewart Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 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 | 7.6 |
| Birney Elementary School Tacoma | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Christensen Elementary Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Arlington Elementary School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| 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 | 8.7 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Edison Elementary School Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Boze Elementary School Tacoma | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Lyon Elementary School Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Sheridan Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Baker Middle School has a median household income of $78,855. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $379,400, with a median rent of $1,610/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| North Whidbey Middle School Oak Harbor, WA | 6.6 |
| Olympic View Middle School Mukilteo, WA | 6.6 |
| Orting Middle School Orting, WA | 6.6 |
| Westwood Middle School Spokane, WA | 6.6 |
| Canyon Park Middle School Bothell, WA | 6.5 |
| Chief Umtuch Middle Battle Ground, WA | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #1001 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Baker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Baker 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 Baker Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Baker Middle School has 22.8% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (6,715/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 571-5000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #28 of 62
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 methodologyRelated reading
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