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Average

#1578 of 2,228 schools in WA

Bethel Middle School

Middle School · Bethel School District

22201 38th Avenue East, Spanaway, WA 98387

Enrollment

668

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,578 of 2,228

In Spanaway

#8 of 15

public schools

In district

#23 of 33

Bethel School District

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Bethel Middle School

5.3/10

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

Shining Mountain Elementary

6.2/10

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

Bethel High School

4.3/10

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

About Bethel Middle School

Bethel Middle School is a public middle school in Spanaway, WA, part of Bethel School District. Bethel Middle School serves approximately 668 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bethel Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,578 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Bethel Middle School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Bethel Middle School runs 20.9:1 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.

50% of students at Bethel 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 Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.9% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.8% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,370
Chronic Absenteeism50.4%

Bethel Middle School — Students at Bethel Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 49.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (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
43%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
39%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
36%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
20.4%
ELA
40%
2024
Math
27.9%
ELA
43.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.

How Bethel Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in WA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.4%

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

22201 38th Avenue East, Spanaway, WA 98387

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bethel Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cougar Mountain Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Graham), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cedarcrest Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 2.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Spanaway, see our Spanaway schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Shining Mountain Elementary Spanaway 0.1 mi 6.2
Bethel High School Spanaway 0.3 mi 4.3
Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway 1.0 mi 6.9
Centennial Elementary Graham 1.9 mi 7.3
CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma 2.7 mi 5.0
Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham 2.8 mi 6.6
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway 2.5 mi 4.1
Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma 3.1 mi 8.1
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma 3.3 mi 8.6
Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway 2.4 mi 8.5
Liberty Middle School Spanaway 2.4 mi 5.6
Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway 2.4 mi 2.5
North Star Elementary Graham 2.4 mi 8.4
Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham 3.1 mi 8.0
Evergreen Elementary Spanaway 3.4 mi 7.1
Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup 3.7 mi 4.9
Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup 3.7 mi
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 3.6 mi 3.7
Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma 4.0 mi 7.3
Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway 3.5 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,141

Median Home Value

$424,100

Median Rent

$1,837/mo

Population

49,940

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

37.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

34.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cascade Middle School Auburn, WA 5.3
Chief Joseph Middle School Richland, WA 5.3
Explorer Middle School Everett, WA 5.3
Hawkins Middle School Belfair, WA 5.3
Nisqually Middle School Lacey, WA 5.3
Showalter Middle School Tukwila, WA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bethel Middle School

What grades does Bethel Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Bethel Middle School?

Bethel Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 668 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Bethel Middle School is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bethel Middle School rank in WA?

Bethel Middle School ranks #1,578 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Bethel Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethel Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Bethel Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bethel Middle School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Bethel Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Bethel Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

57.5% of students at Bethel 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
668
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.4%

District

Bethel School District
District Enrollment
21,539
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,370
District Rank
#23 of 33

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