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Average

#1603 of 2,228 schools in WA

Chief Joseph Middle School

Middle School · Richland School District

504 Wilson, Richland, WA 99352

Enrollment

671

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,603 of 2,228

In Richland

#13 of 16

public schools

In district

#16 of 21

Richland School District

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Chief Joseph Middle School

5.3/10

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

Jefferson Elementary

7.9/10

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

Richland School District Early Learning Center

5.9/10

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

About Chief Joseph Middle School

Chief Joseph Middle School is a public middle school in Richland, WA, part of Richland School District. Chief Joseph Middle School serves approximately 671 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Chief Joseph Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,603 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Chief Joseph Middle School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% 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

43% of students at Chief Joseph 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 Progress6.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.1% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.4 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,042
Chronic Absenteeism42.9%

Chief Joseph Middle School — Students at Chief Joseph Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 51.0% (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
38%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
41%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
46%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
36%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
26.2%
ELA
38.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.

How Chief Joseph Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
28th percentile in WA
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
35 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

504 Wilson, Richland, WA 99352

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chief Joseph Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Carmichael Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SAGEBRUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 4.0/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Richland, see our Richland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Elementary Richland 0.5 mi 7.9
Richland School District Early Learning Center Richland 0.5 mi 5.9
Jason Lee Elementary School Richland 0.6 mi 6.8
Three Rivers Home Link Richland 0.6 mi 5.3
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Richland 0.9 mi 5.6
Sacajawea Elementary Richland 0.9 mi 5.7
Richland High School Richland 1.2 mi 6.2
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Richland 1.1 mi 5.6
Carmichael Middle School Richland 1.6 mi 4.8
CHILDREN'S GARDEN MONTESSORI Richland 1.6 mi 3.8
Rivers Edge High School Richland 1.7 mi 3.6
Pacific Crest Online Academy West Richland 1.6 mi 3.4
Marcus Whitman Elementary Richland 1.7 mi 8.6
Lewis & Clark Elementary School Richland 1.8 mi 6.5
SAGEBRUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richland 1.8 mi 4.0
SAGEBRUSH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Richland 2.0 mi
Hanford High School Richland 2.2 mi 6.1
Orchard Elementary Richland 4.3 mi 8.7
Badger Mountain Elementary Richland 4.4 mi 6.4
White Bluffs Elementary School Richland 3.9 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99352 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,875

Median Home Value

$442,100

Median Rent

$1,457/mo

Population

36,641

College Educated

48.4%

Homeownership

67.6%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bethel Middle School Spanaway, WA 5.3
Cascade Middle School Auburn, 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 Chief Joseph Middle School

What grades does Chief Joseph Middle School serve?

Chief Joseph Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Chief Joseph Middle School?

Chief Joseph Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 671 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chief Joseph Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chief Joseph Middle School is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chief Joseph Middle School rank in WA?

Chief Joseph Middle School ranks #1,603 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Chief Joseph Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chief Joseph 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 Chief Joseph Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chief Joseph Middle School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Chief Joseph Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Chief Joseph Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

59.8% of students at Chief Joseph 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Benton County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

District

Richland School District
District Enrollment
14,305
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,042
District Rank
#16 of 21

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