Average
#1331 of 2,225 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
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
668
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spanaway
#4 of 14
public schools
Washington middle schools
#159 of 374
In district
#13 of 33
Bethel School District
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Bethel Middle School
Bethel Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Spanaway, Washington, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 668 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student's learning needs. Bethel Middle School has 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse academic community.
According to MySchoolScout’s metrics, the school holds a rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks at #1344 among Washington state schools, placing it in the 41st percentile statewide. Academically, students achieve proficiency rates of 45% in ELA/Reading, 29% in Math, and 33% in Science. These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight ongoing efforts to enhance student performance.
Bethel Middle School is situated in a large suburban area, offering a blend of residential neighborhoods and nearby amenities that support the local community. The school’s setting provides a supportive environment for students as they navigate middle school challenges and prepare for high school.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Bethel Middle School is 20.9:1, 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
Bethel Middle School — Students at Bethel Middle School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
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: 7.9/10.
How Bethel Middle School Compares
See how Bethel Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 50% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 25% (2024).
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 6.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Graham), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Liberty Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cedarcrest Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.0 |
| Bethel High School Spanaway | 0.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Centennial Elementary Graham | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma | 2.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham | 2.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma | 3.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Liberty Middle School Spanaway | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway | 2.4 mi | 2.6 |
| North Star Elementary Graham | 2.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham | 3.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 3.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Pierce County Skills Center Puyallup | 3.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Learning Academy Puyallup | 3.7 mi | — |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 4.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway | 3.5 mi | 9.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bethel Middle School has a median household income of $101,141. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $424,100, with a median rent of $1,837/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cascade Middle School Longview, WA | 5.9 |
| Centennial Middle School Spokane, WA | 5.9 |
| George Bush Middle School Tumwater, WA | 5.9 |
| Kenmore Middle School Kenmore, WA | 5.9 |
| Kirkland Middle School Kirkland, WA | 5.9 |
| Northwood Middle School Renton, WA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1331 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Bethel Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethel Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Bethel Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethel Middle School has 36.8% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (763/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 800-7200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #13 of 33
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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