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Average

#1741 of 2,228 schools in WA

Ballou JR High

Middle School · Puyallup School District

9916 136th St E, Puyallup, WA 98373

Enrollment

863

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

7th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,741 of 2,228

In Puyallup

#28 of 33

public schools

In district

#32 of 36

Puyallup School District

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Ballou JR High

5.0/10

Middle School in Puyallup · grades 7th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Firgrove Elementary

4.9/10

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

Edward Zeiger Elem

5.2/10

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

About Ballou JR High

Ballou JR High is a public middle school in Puyallup, WA, part of Puyallup School District. Ballou JR High serves approximately 863 students, and covers grades 7th-9th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballou JR High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,741 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Ballou JR High show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Ballou JR High runs 22.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

43% of students at Ballou JR High 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 Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.2% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,882
Chronic Absenteeism42.9%

Ballou JR High — Students at Ballou JR High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.7% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 66.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.5% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
58%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
50%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
53%
ELA
68%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
70%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
70%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
56%
2024
Math
32.2%
ELA
56.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.

How Ballou JR High Compares

See how Ballou JR High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
22th percentile in WA
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

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

9916 136th St E, Puyallup, WA 98373

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballou JR High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Doris Stahl Junior High (rated 5.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ferrucci Jr High (rated 5.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Puyallup, see our Puyallup schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Firgrove Elementary Puyallup 0.2 mi 4.9
Edward Zeiger Elem Puyallup 0.6 mi 5.2
Gov John Rogers High School Puyallup 0.8 mi 5.6
Dessie F Evans Elementary Puyallup 1.3 mi 4.5
Puyallup Online Academy/POA Puyallup 1.8 mi 6.0
Puyallup Open Doors/POD Puyalllup 1.8 mi 7.0
Puyallup Parent Partnership Program Puyallup 1.8 mi 5.8
Doris Stahl Junior High Puyallup 2.1 mi 5.9
Pope Elementary Puyallup 1.6 mi 7.3
Frank Brouillet Elem Puyallup 2.3 mi 7.7
Woodland Elementary Puyallup 2.1 mi 8.2
Ferrucci Jr High Puyallup 2.3 mi 5.7
Ridgecrest Elementary Puyallup 1.9 mi 8.0
Warren Hunt Elem Puyallup 1.9 mi 5.8
Sunrise Elementary Puyallup 2.3 mi 5.9
Wildwood Elementary Puyallup 2.6 mi 6.2
Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup 3.0 mi 5.9
G W Edgerton Elementary Puyallup 2.5 mi 6.5
Frederickson Elementary Puyallup 2.8 mi 5.4
Fruitland Elementary Puyallup 3.3 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98373 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,791

Median Home Value

$517,600

Median Rent

$1,823/mo

Population

29,062

College Educated

26.5%

Homeownership

56.3%

Avg Commute

31.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chinook Middle School Seatac, WA 5.0
Highlands Middle School Kennewick, WA 5.0
Cedar Heights Middle School Covington, WA 4.9
Edgemont Jr High Edgewood, WA 5.1
Highland Middle School Bellevue, WA 5.1
Mt Baker Middle School Auburn, WA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballou JR High

What grades does Ballou JR High serve?

Ballou JR High serves students in grades 7th through 9th.

How many students attend Ballou JR High?

Ballou JR High has an enrollment of approximately 863 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballou JR High?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballou JR High is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballou JR High rank in WA?

Ballou JR High ranks #1,741 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Ballou JR High's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballou JR High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Ballou JR High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballou JR High has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Ballou JR High a charter school?

No, Ballou JR High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ballou JR High a Title I school?

No, Ballou JR High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballou JR High?

51.2% of students at Ballou JR High 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
863
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

District

Puyallup School District
District Enrollment
22,905
Schools in District
37
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,882
District Rank
#32 of 36

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