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Below Average

#2033 of 2,225 schools in WA

Chinook Middle School

Middle School · Highline School District

18650 42nd Ave S, Seatac, WA 98188

Enrollment

603

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Seatac

#6 of 8

public schools

Washington middle schools

#326 of 374

In district

#27 of 34

Highline School District

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Chinook Middle School

Chinook Middle School is a regular public middle school located in SeaTac, Washington, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 603 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.3:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention despite its size. The school boasts 37 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational needs.

Academically, Chinook Middle School currently has room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranking at the 14th percentile among Washington state schools. In terms of subject proficiency, only about one-third of students are proficient in English Language Arts/Reading (33%), while fewer than one-fifth meet proficiency standards in math (17%) and science (26%). The school is focusing on developing strategies to enhance academic performance and support student growth.

Chinook Middle School is situated in a large suburban area, providing its students with access to various community resources and amenities. Despite the current challenges, the school remains dedicated to fostering an environment where all students can thrive and succeed.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.6%
Math vs. State Avg-24.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.9 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,077

Chinook Middle School — Students at Chinook Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.1%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 32.5%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
29%
ELA
55%
2022
ELA
34%
2024
Math
14.2%
ELA
26.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Chinook Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in WA
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

18650 42nd Ave S, Seatac, WA 98188

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chinook Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Showalter Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Tukwila), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pacific Middle School (rated 3.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Seatac, see our Seatac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Tyee High School Seatac 0.1 mi 3.7
Bow Lake Elementary Seatac 0.3 mi 4.1
SEATTLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Seatac 0.4 mi 6.6
Valley View Early Childhood Center Seatac 0.7 mi 5.2
McMicken Heights Elementary Seatac 1.3 mi 6.0
Madrona Elementary Seatac 1.2 mi 6.6
Thorndyke Elementary Tukwila 2.3 mi 5.7
River Ridge Elementary Seatac 2.4 mi 5.4
Impact Public Schools Tukwila 2.5 mi 5.9
Impact | Salish Sea Elementary Tukwila 2.5 mi 8.3
Cascade Public Schools Des Moines 2.5 mi
Foster Senior High School Tukwila 2.7 mi 5.9
Tukwila Elementary Tukwila 2.5 mi 6.2
Showalter Middle School Tukwila 2.8 mi 5.5
Midway Elementary Des Moines 2.7 mi 3.3
ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Des Moines 2.6 mi 6.4
Pacific Middle School Des Moines 2.8 mi 3.3
Mount Rainier High School Des Moines 2.8 mi 6.0
CHOICE Academy Seattle 2.1 mi 6.8
Highline Home School Center Burien 2.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98188 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,559

Median Home Value

$452,900

Median Rent

$1,641/mo

Population

26,769

College Educated

26.5%

Homeownership

41.6%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

36.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chinook Middle School has a median household income of $76,559. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,900, with a median rent of $1,641/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Frontier Middle School Moses Lake, WA 4.2
Lynden Middle School Lynden, WA 4.2
Mount Baker Middle School Mount Vernon, WA 4.2
Mountain View Middle School Bremerton, WA 4.2
Twin Falls Middle School North Bend, WA 4.2
Cascade Middle School Vancouver, WA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chinook Middle School

What grades does Chinook Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Chinook Middle School?

Chinook Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 603 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Chinook Middle School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chinook Middle School rank in WA?

Chinook Middle School is ranked #2033 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Chinook Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chinook Middle School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Chinook Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chinook Middle School has 17.1% math proficiency and 32.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chinook Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Chinook Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

76.8% of students at Chinook 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

City Safety
High (4,376/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seatac). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
603
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Highline School District
District Enrollment
17,823
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,594
District Rank
#27 of 34

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 methodology

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