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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.2%
Math vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.7 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,867

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 47.1%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 63.2%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 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
55%
ELA
71%
2022
ELA
65%
2024
Math
45.1%
ELA
60.8%

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.

Overall Score
5.6/10
33th percentile in WA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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