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
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
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
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First Creek Middle School
Middle School in Tacoma · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lister Elementary School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Blix Elementary School
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).
- 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 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: 26%).
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 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
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.
Neighborhood Context
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%
- Phone
- (253) 571-2700
Resources & Links
District
Tacoma School District- District Enrollment
- 28,272
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,679
- District Rank
- #39 of 62
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