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Average

#1598 of 2,225 schools in WA

Curtis Junior High

School · University Place School District

3725 Grandview Drive West, University Place, WA 98466

Enrollment

891

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

8th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In University Place

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#8 of 8

University Place School District

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Curtis Junior High

Curtis Junior High serves 891 eighth and ninth grade students in University Place, Washington, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 23.4:1 and 38 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school ranks #952 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 58th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with an academic score of 7.3 out of 10.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 63% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, indicating steady progress in literacy skills during these crucial transitional years between middle and high school. Curtis Junior High is situated in the 98466 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $89,047 and median home values of $491,600. The community shows strong educational investment, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 7.4% among the area's 30,405 residents.

The school serves students in a large suburban setting along Grandview Drive West, providing education during the important bridge years when students prepare for high school academic challenges. Curtis Junior High operates within a well-established University Place community that values educational achievement and family stability.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Curtis Junior High is 23.4:1, 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 · 4/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.3%
Math vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.5 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,594

Curtis Junior High — Students at Curtis Junior High score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.1%
School
State
37.3%
ELA Proficiency 68.4%
School
State
49.2%

Based on 9 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
65%
ELA
78%
2022
ELA
63%
2024
Math
41.2%
ELA
66.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.

How Curtis Junior High Compares

See how Curtis Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in WA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

3725 Grandview Drive West, University Place, WA 98466

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Curtis Junior High may also want to explore other schools in the area. University Place Primary (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby University Pla), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chambers Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby University Pla), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whittier Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores notably higher. For more schools in University Place, see our University Place schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Curtis Senior High University Place 0.2 mi 7.6
University Place Primary University Pla 0.7 mi 8.9
Sunset Primary University Place 0.8 mi 7.3
Narrows View Intermediate University Pla 0.7 mi 7.3
Chambers Elementary University Pla 1.1 mi 8.8
Drum Intermediate University Pla 1.0 mi 5.6
Evergreen Primary University Place 1.0 mi 6.5
MONTESSORI IN MOTION University Place 1.3 mi
CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY Tacoma 1.5 mi 7.7
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place 1.6 mi 6.0
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 2.0 mi 5.4
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 2.3 mi 7.9
Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood 2.6 mi 6.1
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 2.1 mi 5.5
Whittier Elementary School Tacoma 1.9 mi 8.8
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood 2.8 mi 3.6
Firwood Steilacoom 2.9 mi 6.9
Transition Day Students Lakewood 2.9 mi
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 2.5 mi 7.6
Oakridge Group Home Lakewood 3.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98466 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,598

Median Home Value

$564,400

Median Rent

$1,724/mo

Population

30,622

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

53%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Curtis Junior High has a median household income of $94,598. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $564,400, with a median rent of $1,724/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Curtis Junior High

What grades does Curtis Junior High serve?

Curtis Junior High serves students in grades 8th through 9th.

How many students attend Curtis Junior High?

Curtis Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 891 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Curtis Junior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Curtis Junior High is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Curtis Junior High rank in WA?

Curtis Junior High is ranked #1598 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Curtis Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Curtis Junior High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Curtis Junior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Curtis Junior High has 49.1% math proficiency and 68.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Curtis Junior High a charter school?

No, Curtis Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Curtis Junior High a Title I school?

No, Curtis Junior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Curtis Junior High?

42.8% of students at Curtis Junior High 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 (2,165/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 9th
Enrollment
891
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

University Place School District
District Enrollment
5,606
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,994
District Rank
#8 of 8

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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