Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2219 of 2,228 schools in WA

Discovery Middle School

Middle School · Vancouver School District

800 E 40TH ST, Vancouver, WA 98663

Enrollment

498

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

2.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,219 of 2,228

In Vancouver

#78 of 79

public schools

In district

#39 of 40

Vancouver School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Discovery Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Discovery Middle School

2.6/10

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

Lakeshore Montessori School

Nearby

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

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics

5.0/10

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

About Discovery Middle School

Discovery Middle School is a public middle school in Vancouver, WA, part of Vancouver School District. Discovery Middle School serves approximately 498 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,219 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery Middle School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

65% of students at Discovery Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.2% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.6% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-26.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.9 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-17.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,999
Chronic Absenteeism64.5%

Discovery Middle School — Students at Discovery Middle School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 37.7% (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
41%
ELA
60%
2010
Math
50%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
26%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
26%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
12.5%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
12%
ELA
20.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How Discovery Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.6/10
0th percentile in WA
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
64.5%

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

800 E 40TH ST, Vancouver, WA 98663

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Benjamin Franklin Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jim Tangeman Center (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Vancouver, see our Vancouver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
LAKESHORE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Vancouver 0.5 mi
Vancouver School of Arts and Academics Vancouver 0.6 mi 5.0
Lincoln Elementary School Vancouver 0.6 mi 7.8
OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Vancouver 0.6 mi 6.4
Washington Elementary Vancouver 0.8 mi 4.4
Benjamin Franklin Elementary Vancouver 0.9 mi 9.2
Hazel Dell Elementary School Vancouver 1.3 mi 6.9
Hough Elementary School Vancouver 1.2 mi 6.2
Minnehaha Elementary School Vancouver 1.2 mi 6.7
Hudson's Bay High School Vancouver 1.5 mi 2.5
LUPINE EXPERIENTIAL SCHOOL Vancouver 1.6 mi 5.9
Clark County Juvenile Detention School Vancouver 1.6 mi
Gate Work Study Program Vancouver 1.6 mi 6.5
Fruit Valley Elementary School Vancouver 1.5 mi 3.7
Jim Tangeman Center Vancouver 1.7 mi 7.1
SOUTH WEST WASHINGTON LEARNING CENTER Vancouver 2.3 mi 4.4
Washington State School for the Deaf Vancouver 2.2 mi 6.7
Jason Lee Middle School Vancouver 2.3 mi 5.6
Harry S Truman Elementary School Vancouver 1.8 mi 3.9
Roosevelt Elementary School Vancouver 1.8 mi 3.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98663 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,590

Median Home Value

$430,900

Median Rent

$1,538/mo

Population

15,645

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

59.3%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

38.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Marysville Middle School Marysville, WA 2.7
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood, WA 2.9
Oakland Bay Junior High School Shelton, WA 3.0
Totem Middle School Marysville, WA 3.1
Olympic Middle School Shelton, WA 3.3
Omak Middle School Omak, WA 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Middle School

What grades does Discovery Middle School serve?

Discovery Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Discovery Middle School?

Discovery Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 498 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Middle School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Middle School rank in WA?

Discovery Middle School ranks #2,219 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Discovery Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 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 Discovery Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Middle School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Discovery Middle School a charter school?

No, Discovery Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Discovery Middle School a Title I school?

No, Discovery Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Middle School?

69.1% of students at Discovery 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
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Clark County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
64.5%

District

Vancouver School District
District Enrollment
21,949
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,999
District Rank
#39 of 40

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.