Average
#1641 of 2,225 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
5.3
Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
863
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Puyallup
#20 of 32
public schools
Washington middle schools
#229 of 374
In district
#23 of 36
Puyallup School District
About Ballou JR High
Ballou Jr High is a public middle school serving grades 7–9 in Puyallup, a large suburban community in Pierce County. The school enrolls 863 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1, supported by 38 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Ballou is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.
In English language arts, 58% of students score proficient or above, showing relative strength in reading and writing. Mathematics and science present areas for growth, with 35% and 41% of students respectively meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and state ranking of 1164 out of 2261 Washington schools reflect the school's position at the 49th percentile, indicating room for academic improvement.
For families considering Ballou Jr High, these performance metrics suggest a school focused on student development with clear opportunities to build stronger academic outcomes. The suburban setting provides a community-oriented environment for middle-grade learners in the Puyallup area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ballou JR High is 22.7:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ballou JR High — Students at Ballou JR High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 11 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: 5.7/10.
How Ballou JR High Compares
See how Ballou JR High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 32.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 56.5% (2024).
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 5.7/10, 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 | 5.1 |
| Edward Zeiger Elem Puyallup | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Gov John Rogers High School Puyallup | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Dessie F Evans Elementary Puyallup | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Puyallup Online Academy/POA Puyallup | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Puyallup Open Doors/POD Puyalllup | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Puyallup Parent Partnership Program Puyallup | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Doris Stahl Junior High Puyallup | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Pope Elementary Puyallup | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Frank Brouillet Elem Puyallup | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Woodland Elementary Puyallup | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Ferrucci Jr High Puyallup | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Ridgecrest Elementary Puyallup | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Warren Hunt Elem Puyallup | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Sunrise Elementary Puyallup | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Wildwood Elementary Puyallup | 2.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| G W Edgerton Elementary Puyallup | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Frederickson Elementary Puyallup | 2.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Fruitland Elementary Puyallup | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ballou JR High has a median household income of $102,791. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $517,600, with a median rent of $1,823/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedarcrest School Marysville, WA | 5.3 |
| Centralia Middle School Centralia, WA | 5.3 |
| Ellen Ochoa Middle School Pasco, WA | 5.3 |
| Mattson Middle School Covington, WA | 5.3 |
| Stevens Middle School Pasco, WA | 5.3 |
| Tumwater Middle School Tumwater, WA | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #1641 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Ballou JR High's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballou JR High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Ballou JR High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballou JR High has 35.4% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,272/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Puyallup). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 841-8725
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Puyallup School District- District Enrollment
- 22,905
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,882
- District Rank
- #23 of 36
Other Schools in This District
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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