Average
#1492 of 2,225 schools in WA
Desert Hills Middle School
Middle School · Kennewick School District
1701 S Clodfelter Rd, Kennewick, WA 99338
Enrollment
897
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
897
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kennewick
#15 of 25
public schools
Washington middle schools
#196 of 374
In district
#19 of 29
Kennewick School District
Equity
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Desert Hills Middle School
Desert Hills Middle School serves 897 students in grades 6 through 8 in Kennewick, Washington. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.9 to 1, providing a structured learning environment for middle school students navigating this important transitional period. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #806 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 64th percentile among Washington middle schools.
Academically, Desert Hills demonstrates solid performance with a 7.5 out of 10 academic score and 65% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. Located on South Clodfelter Road, Desert Hills Middle School sits within a well-established neighborhood where families demonstrate strong educational values. The surrounding ZIP code 99338 reflects an affluent community with a median household income of $120,020 and median home values of $457,300.
With 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 6.8%, the area provides a supportive environment for student achievement. Desert Hills Middle School operates within Kennewick's small city setting, serving families who value educational opportunity in a close-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills Middle School is 21.9:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Hills Middle School — Students at Desert Hills Middle School score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.
How Desert Hills Middle School Compares
See how Desert Hills Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 45.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 61.2% (2024).
Location
1701 S Clodfelter Rd, Kennewick, WA 99338
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Hills Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Highlands Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chinook Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kennewick, see our Kennewick schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Amon Creek Elementary Richland | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Cottonwood Elementary Kennewick | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Sunset View Elementary School Kennewick | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Ridge View Elementary School Kennewick | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Badger Mountain Elementary Richland | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Fuerza Elementary Kennewick | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Vista Elementary School Kennewick | 2.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Mid-Columbia Parent Partnership Kennewick | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Sage Crest Elementary Kennewick | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Orchard Elementary Richland | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Southridge High School Kennewick | 2.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Edison Elementary School Kennewick | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Benton/Franklin Juvenile Justice Center Kennewick | 3.4 mi | — |
| Lincoln Elementary School Kennewick | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Chinook Middle School Kennewick | 3.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Kamiakin High School Kennewick | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Legacy High School Kennewick | 3.3 mi | 2.5 |
| Endeavor High School Kennewick | 3.3 mi | — |
| KINGSPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pasco | 4.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Highlands Middle School Kennewick | 3.7 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99338 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$116,002
Median Home Value
$526,700
Median Rent
$1,474/mo
Population
19,235
College Educated
42.4%
Homeownership
83.7%
Avg Commute
21.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Hills Middle School has a median household income of $116,002. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $526,700, with a median rent of $1,474/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Drum Intermediate University Pla, WA | 5.6 |
| Illahee Middle School Federal Way, WA | 5.6 |
| Liberty Middle School Spanaway, WA | 5.6 |
| Mason Middle School Tacoma, WA | 5.6 |
| McKnight Middle School Renton, WA | 5.6 |
| Park Middle School Kennewick, WA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Hills Middle School
What grades does Desert Hills Middle School serve?
Desert Hills Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Hills Middle School?
Desert Hills Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 897 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills Middle School is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Hills Middle School rank in WA?
Desert Hills Middle School is ranked #1492 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Desert Hills Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Hills Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Desert Hills Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Hills Middle School has 47.1% math proficiency and 63.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Hills Middle School a charter school?
No, Desert Hills Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Hills Middle School a Title I school?
No, Desert Hills Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Hills Middle School?
27.3% of students at Desert Hills 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,832/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kennewick). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 897
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Benton County
- Phone
- (509) 222-6600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kennewick School District- District Enrollment
- 18,805
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #19 of 29
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 methodologyRelated reading
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