Skip to main content

Average

#1394 of 2,228 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

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,394 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#52 of 88

public schools

In district

#39 of 62

Tacoma School District

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around First Creek 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.

First Creek Middle School

5.8/10

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

Lister Elementary School

7.0/10

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

Blix Elementary School

6.1/10

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

About First Creek Middle School

First Creek Middle School is a public middle school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. First Creek Middle School serves approximately 562 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. First Creek Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,394 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for First Creek Middle School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at First Creek Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

60% of students at First Creek 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 Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.1% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-26.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,679
Chronic Absenteeism60.3%

First Creek Middle School — Students at First Creek Middle School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 34.2% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
16%
ELA
34%
2010
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2011
Math
26%
ELA
41%
2012
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
33%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
12.1%
ELA
29.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.

How First Creek Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in WA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.3%

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

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. Lyon Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mann Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 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 7.0
Blix Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 6.1
Sheridan Elementary School Tacoma 0.7 mi 6.4
Boze Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 7.0
Waller Road Elementary Tacoma 1.0 mi 5.2
Roosevelt Elementary School Tacoma 1.3 mi 6.4
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 6.7
Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma 1.2 mi 6.1
Lyon Elementary School Tacoma 1.3 mi 8.8
Harvard Elementary Tacoma 2.0 mi 5.6
Stewart Middle School Tacoma 1.4 mi 5.6
Willard Early Learning Center Tacoma 2.1 mi 5.1
Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma 2.4 mi 6.6
Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma 1.9 mi 4.6
Lincoln High School Tacoma 2.0 mi 5.1
Summit Public School: Olympus Seattle 2.4 mi 6.2
Mann Elementary School Tacoma 2.0 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aylen Jr High Puyallup, WA 5.8
Denny Yasuhara Middle School Spokane, WA 5.8
Huntington Middle School Kelso, WA 5.8
Pleasant Valley Middle Battle Ground, WA 5.8
Ridgetop Middle School Silverdale, WA 5.8
Centennial Middle School Snohomish, WA 5.7

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 ranks #1,394 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is First Creek Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

First Creek Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 First Creek Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, First Creek Middle School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.3%

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#39 of 62

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.