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Average

#978 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 44% in state

Cougar Mountain Middle School

Middle School · Bethel School District

5108 260th St E, Graham, WA 98338

Enrollment

605

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#978 of 2,228

In Graham

#7 of 9

public schools

In district

#18 of 33

Bethel School District

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Cougar Mountain Middle School

6.6/10

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

Rocky Ridge Elementary

8.0/10

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

Centennial Elementary

7.3/10

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

About Cougar Mountain Middle School

Cougar Mountain Middle School is a public middle school in Graham, WA, part of Bethel School District. Cougar Mountain Middle School serves approximately 605 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Cougar Mountain Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #978 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Cougar Mountain Middle School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Cougar Mountain 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.

45% of students at Cougar Mountain 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 Progress8.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.1% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,370
Chronic Absenteeism45.3%

Cougar Mountain Middle School — Students at Cougar Mountain Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 56.6% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
42%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
43%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
28.6%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Cougar Mountain Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in WA
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.3%

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

5108 260th St E, Graham, WA 98338

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cougar Mountain Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Liberty Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), with a comparable rating. Another option is Frontier Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 4.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bethel Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), a more accessible option. For more schools in Graham, see our Graham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Rocky Ridge Elementary Graham 0.8 mi 8.0
Centennial Elementary Graham 1.2 mi 7.3
Bethel High School Spanaway 2.5 mi 4.3
Bethel Middle School Spanaway 2.8 mi 5.3
Shining Mountain Elementary Spanaway 2.9 mi 6.2
North Star Elementary Graham 2.9 mi 8.4
Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway 3.1 mi 6.9
Liberty Middle School Spanaway 3.8 mi 5.6
Bethel Virtual Academy Spanaway 3.8 mi 2.5
Pioneer Valley Elementary Spanaway 3.9 mi 8.5
Kapowsin Elementary Graham 3.3 mi 6.8
CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma 5.5 mi 5.0
Frontier Middle School Graham 4.3 mi 5.5
Graham Elementary Graham 4.7 mi 7.6
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway 5.1 mi 4.1
Nelson Elementary School Graham 4.4 mi 6.9
Graham Kapowsin High School Graham 4.4 mi 3.9
Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma 5.8 mi 8.1
Frederickson Elementary Puyallup 5.7 mi 5.4
Emma L Carson Elementary Puyallup 5.5 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98338 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$112,788

Median Home Value

$471,800

Median Rent

$1,889/mo

Population

32,726

College Educated

18.9%

Homeownership

83.7%

Avg Commute

41.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.9%

Median Age

37

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Foothills Middle School Wenatchee, WA 6.6
Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor, WA 6.6
Horizon Middle School Spokane Valley, WA 6.6
Issaquah Middle School Issaquah, WA 6.6
Lake Stevens Middle School Lake Stevens, WA 6.6
Mt. Solo Middle School Longview, WA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cougar Mountain Middle School

What grades does Cougar Mountain Middle School serve?

Cougar Mountain Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Cougar Mountain Middle School?

Cougar Mountain Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 605 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cougar Mountain Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cougar Mountain 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 Cougar Mountain Middle School rank in WA?

Cougar Mountain Middle School ranks #978 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Cougar Mountain Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cougar Mountain Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Cougar Mountain Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cougar Mountain Middle School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Cougar Mountain Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Cougar Mountain Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

52.4% of students at Cougar Mountain 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.3%

District

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

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