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Average

#1084 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 49% in state

Desert Hills Middle School

Middle School · Kennewick School District

1701 S Clodfelter Rd, Kennewick, WA 99338

Enrollment

897

Student-Teacher

21.9:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,084 of 2,228

In Kennewick

#10 of 31

public schools

In district

#11 of 29

Kennewick School District

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Desert Hills Middle School

6.4/10

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

Amon Creek Elementary

7.2/10

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

Cottonwood Elementary

6.9/10

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

About Desert Hills Middle School

Desert Hills Middle School is a public middle school in Kennewick, WA, part of Kennewick School District. Desert Hills Middle School serves approximately 897 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Hills Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,084 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Desert Hills Middle School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Desert Hills Middle School runs 21.9:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.3% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.2% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.7 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,202
Chronic Absenteeism23.3%

Desert Hills Middle School — Students at Desert Hills Middle School score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 68.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
60%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
56%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
66%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
70%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
41.5%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
45.1%
ELA
60.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.

How Desert Hills Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in WA
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

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

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. Chinook Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Highlands Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 3.7 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 6.9
Sunset View Elementary School Kennewick 1.8 mi 5.9
Ridge View Elementary School Kennewick 1.7 mi 8.0
Badger Mountain Elementary Richland 2.9 mi 6.4
Fuerza Elementary Kennewick 2.2 mi 7.5
Vista Elementary School Kennewick 2.8 mi 8.5
Mid-Columbia Parent Partnership Kennewick 2.3 mi 4.5
Sage Crest Elementary Kennewick 2.5 mi 7.0
Orchard Elementary Richland 3.3 mi 8.7
Southridge High School Kennewick 2.9 mi 4.1
Edison Elementary School Kennewick 3.1 mi 5.0
Benton/Franklin Juvenile Justice Center Kennewick 3.4 mi
Lincoln Elementary School Kennewick 3.1 mi 7.6
Chinook Middle School Kennewick 3.3 mi 5.7
Kamiakin High School Kennewick 3.4 mi 6.0
Legacy High School Kennewick 3.3 mi 3.0
Endeavor High School Kennewick 3.3 mi
KINGSPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pasco 4.3 mi 7.8
Highlands Middle School Kennewick 3.7 mi 5.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cougar Mountain Middle School Issaquah, WA 6.4
David T. Denny International Middle School Seattle, WA 6.4
Komachin Middle School Lacey, WA 6.4
Lynden Middle School Lynden, WA 6.4
Marcus Whitman Middle School Port Orchard, WA 6.4
Pioneer Middle School Walla Walla, WA 6.4

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 ranks #1,084 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Desert Hills Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Hills Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Desert Hills Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Hills Middle School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

District

Kennewick School District
District Enrollment
18,805
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,202
District Rank
#11 of 29

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