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Very Good

#826 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 37% in state

Curtis Junior High

School · University Place School District

3725 Grandview Drive West, University Place, WA 98466

Enrollment

891

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

7.0

Grades

8th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#826 of 2,228

In University Place

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#8 of 8

University Place School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Curtis Junior High

7.0/10

School in University Place · grades 8th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Curtis Senior High

7.4/10

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

University Place Primary

9.3/10

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

About Curtis Junior High

Curtis Junior High is a public school in University Place, WA, part of University Place School District. Curtis Junior High serves approximately 891 students, and covers grades 8th-9th, and has a 23.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Curtis Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #826 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Curtis Junior High show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.0
  • WA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Curtis Junior High runs 23.4:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.2% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.3% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.5 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College Readiness6.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,994
Chronic Absenteeism13.2%

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 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.3% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 73.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 30 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
45%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
42%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
63%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
63%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
63%
ELA
71%
2017
Math
70%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
78%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
63%
2024
Math
41.2%
ELA
66.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How Curtis Junior High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in WA
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Sports
13
6 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics13sports offered
6 boys'·7 girls'·24 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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 9.3/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby University Pla), which scores notably higher. Another option is Narrows View Intermediate (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby University Pla), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Geiger Montessori School (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 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 7.4
University Place Primary University Pla 0.7 mi 9.3
Sunset Primary University Place 0.8 mi 7.9
Narrows View Intermediate University Pla 0.7 mi 8.6
Chambers Elementary University Pla 1.1 mi 7.7
Drum Intermediate University Pla 1.0 mi 8.2
Evergreen Primary University Place 1.0 mi 7.5
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 5.3
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 2.3 mi 8.4
Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood 2.6 mi 5.9
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 2.1 mi 4.5
Whittier Elementary School Tacoma 1.9 mi 5.8
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood 2.8 mi 2.9
Firwood Steilacoom 2.9 mi 7.1
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

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 ranks #826 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Curtis Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Curtis Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Curtis Junior High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Curtis Junior High has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

District

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

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