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Average

#1476 of 2,228 schools in WA

Blue Heron Middle School

Middle School · Port Townsend School District

3939 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend, WA 98368

Enrollment

222

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,476 of 2,228

In Port Townsend

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Port Townsend School District

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Blue Heron Middle School

5.6/10

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

Ocean

4.7/10

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

Swan School

5.7/10

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

About Blue Heron Middle School

Blue Heron Middle School is a public middle school in Port Townsend, WA, part of Port Townsend School District. Blue Heron Middle School serves approximately 222 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Blue Heron Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,476 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Blue Heron Middle School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below WA schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

66% of students at Blue Heron 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 Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.91 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.6% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.1 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,800
Chronic Absenteeism66.2%

Blue Heron Middle School — Students at Blue Heron Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 63.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 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
55%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
66%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
31.7%
ELA
46%
2024
Math
29.9%
ELA
51.2%

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

How Blue Heron Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
34th percentile in WA
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
66.2%

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

3939 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend, WA 98368

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blue Heron Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Oak Harbor Intermediate School (rated 6.6/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Oak Harbor), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Coupeville Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Coupeville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Port Townsend, see our Port Townsend schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.0 mi
School Distance Rating
OCEAN Port Townsend 0.0 mi 4.7
SWAN SCHOOL Port Townsend 0.8 mi 5.7
Port Townsend High School Port Townsend 0.9 mi 4.7
Salish Coast Elementary Port Townsend 1.3 mi 8.0
CEDARBROOK ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN Port Hadlock 6.5 mi
Chimacum Creek Primary School Chimacum 6.6 mi 7.8
SUNFIELD WALDORF SCHOOL Port Hadlock 6.7 mi 6.2
Chimacum Elementary School Chimacum 8.1 mi 7.7
Chimacum Junior/Senior High School Chimacum 8.1 mi 3.9
PI Program Chimacum 8.1 mi 2.7
Coupeville High School Coupeville 6.9 mi 6.1
Coupeville Middle School Coupeville 6.9 mi 6.5
Open Den Coupeville 6.9 mi
Coupeville Elementary School Coupeville 7.1 mi 7.9
BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Oak Harbor 9.4 mi
Broad View Elementary Oak Harbor 12.6 mi 7.1
Hillcrest Elementary Oak Harbor 12.8 mi 8.8
Oak Harbor Intermediate School Oak Harbor 12.7 mi 6.6
Oak Harbor High School Oak Harbor 13.0 mi 4.7
iGrad Academy Oak Harbor 13.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98368 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,061

Median Home Value

$511,900

Median Rent

$1,349/mo

Population

17,401

College Educated

50.8%

Homeownership

75.6%

Avg Commute

17.9 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

59.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Walter Strom Middle School Cle Elum, WA 5.6
Winlock Middle School Winlock, WA 5.5
Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport, WA 5.7
Endeavor Middle School Moses Lake, WA 5.7
Freeman Middle School Rockford, WA 5.4
Friday Harbor Middle School Friday Harbor, WA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blue Heron Middle School

What grades does Blue Heron Middle School serve?

Blue Heron Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Blue Heron Middle School?

Blue Heron Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 222 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Heron Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Blue Heron Middle School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blue Heron Middle School rank in WA?

Blue Heron Middle School ranks #1,476 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Blue Heron Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Heron Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Blue Heron Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Blue Heron Middle School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Blue Heron Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Blue Heron Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

52.7% of students at Blue Heron 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
222
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
66.2%

District

Port Townsend School District
District Enrollment
1,170
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,800
District Rank
#2 of 4

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