Average
#1260 of 2,225 schools in WA
First Creek Middle School
Middle School · Tacoma School District
1801 E. 56th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tacoma
#55 of 83
public schools
Washington middle schools
#147 of 374
In district
#43 of 62
Tacoma School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About First Creek Middle School
First Creek Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 562 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a mid-size city, First Creek Middle School offers a supportive learning environment for young adolescents.
Academically, First Creek Middle School is rated at the 24th percentile among Washington state schools, ranking #1708 out of 2261 schools. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating reflects ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes; currently, 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while proficiency rates stand at 13% for Math and 26% for Science. Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to fostering student development and growth.
First Creek Middle School is part of a diverse community in Tacoma, contributing to the educational landscape of Pierce County. The setting offers students access to city resources and activities while providing a stable learning environment focused on academic improvement and student well-being.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at First Creek Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
First Creek Middle School — Students at First Creek Middle School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.2%
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: 8.0/10.
How First Creek Middle School Compares
See how First Creek Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 29.1% (2024).
Location
1801 E. 56th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering First Creek Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Impact Public Schools (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Larchmont Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lister Elementary School Tacoma | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Blix Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Sheridan Elementary School Tacoma | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Boze Elementary School Tacoma | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Waller Road Elementary Tacoma | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Impact Public Schools Tacoma | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Lyon Elementary School Tacoma | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Harvard Elementary Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Stewart Middle School Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Willard Early Learning Center Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma | 2.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln High School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Summit Public School: Olympus Seattle | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Mann Elementary School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98404 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,562
Median Home Value
$387,300
Median Rent
$1,440/mo
Population
35,829
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
68.4%
Avg Commute
33.3 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding First Creek Middle School has a median household income of $79,562. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $387,300, with a median rent of $1,440/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Daybreak Middle Battle Ground, WA | 6.1 |
| Glover Middle School Spokane, WA | 6.1 |
| Hockinson Middle School Brush Prairie, WA | 6.1 |
| Marcus Whitman Middle School Port Orchard, WA | 6.1 |
| McClure Middle School Seattle, WA | 6.1 |
| Mt. Solo Middle School Longview, WA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about First Creek Middle School
What grades does First Creek Middle School serve?
First Creek Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend First Creek Middle School?
First Creek Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at First Creek Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at First Creek Middle School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does First Creek Middle School rank in WA?
First Creek Middle School is ranked #1260 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is First Creek Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
First Creek Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 First Creek Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, First Creek Middle School has 13.0% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is First Creek Middle School a charter school?
No, First Creek Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is First Creek Middle School a Title I school?
No, First Creek Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for First Creek Middle School?
82.2% of students at First Creek 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (6,715/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tacoma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 562
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 571-2700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #43 of 62
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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