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Excellent

#385 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 17% in state

Drum Intermediate

Middle School · University Place School District

4909 79TH AVENUE W, University Pla, WA 98467

Enrollment

633

Student-Teacher

18.6:1

Score

8.2

Grades

5th – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#385 of 2,228

In University Pla

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 8

University Place School District

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Drum Intermediate

8.2/10

Middle School in University Pla · grades 5th – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Narrows View Intermediate

8.6/10

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

Charles Wright Academy

7.7/10

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

About Drum Intermediate

Drum Intermediate is a public middle school in University Pla, WA, part of University Place School District. Drum Intermediate serves approximately 633 students, and covers grades 5th-7th, and has a 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Drum Intermediate has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #385 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Drum Intermediate show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.4
  • WA avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.8% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.4% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+11 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,994
Chronic Absenteeism7.9%

Drum Intermediate — Students at Drum Intermediate score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.0% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 76.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 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
68%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
65%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
69%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
78%
ELA
83%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
81%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
80%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
80%
2022
Math
50.1%
ELA
70%
2024
Math
53.8%
ELA
65.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Drum Intermediate Compares

See how Drum Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
83th percentile in WA
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.9%

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

4909 79TH AVENUE W, University Pla, WA 98467

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Drum Intermediate may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Narrows View Intermediate (rated 8.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Wainwright Intermediate School (rated 4.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hudtloff Middle School (rated 2.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Lakewood), a more accessible option. For more schools in University Pla, see our University Pla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Narrows View Intermediate University Pla 0.4 mi 8.6
CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY Tacoma 0.6 mi 7.7
Evergreen Primary University Place 0.6 mi 7.5
Curtis Senior High University Place 0.8 mi 7.4
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place 0.7 mi 6.0
Chambers Elementary University Pla 0.8 mi 7.7
Curtis Junior High University Place 1.0 mi 7.0
Sunset Primary University Place 1.1 mi 7.9
University Place Primary University Pla 1.6 mi 9.3
MONTESSORI IN MOTION University Place 1.7 mi
Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood 1.8 mi 5.9
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood 1.9 mi 2.9
Custer Elementary School Lakewood 2.2 mi 6.0
Dower Elementary School Lakewood 2.0 mi 5.7
Whittier Elementary School Tacoma 1.7 mi 5.8
Oakridge Group Home Lakewood 2.3 mi
Firwood Steilacoom 2.3 mi 7.1
Transition Day Students Lakewood 2.3 mi
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 2.3 mi 4.5
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 2.6 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98467 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,586

Median Home Value

$580,100

Median Rent

$1,566/mo

Population

15,241

College Educated

42.2%

Homeownership

61.3%

Avg Commute

30 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

41.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
John Sedgwick Middle School Port Orchard, WA 8.2
Maywood Middle School Renton, WA 8.2
Snoqualmie Middle School Snoqualmie, WA 8.2
McClure Middle School Seattle, WA 8.1
Woodland Middle School Woodland, WA 8.1
Beaver Lake Middle School Issaquah, WA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Drum Intermediate

What grades does Drum Intermediate serve?

Drum Intermediate serves students in grades 5th through 7th.

How many students attend Drum Intermediate?

Drum Intermediate has an enrollment of approximately 633 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Drum Intermediate?

The student-teacher ratio at Drum Intermediate is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Drum Intermediate rank in WA?

Drum Intermediate ranks #385 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Drum Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?

Drum Intermediate has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Drum Intermediate?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Drum Intermediate has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Drum Intermediate a charter school?

No, Drum Intermediate is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Drum Intermediate a Title I school?

No, Drum Intermediate is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Drum Intermediate?

45.5% of students at Drum Intermediate 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
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 7th
Enrollment
633
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.9%

District

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

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