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Very Good

#763 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 34% in state

Glacier Middle School

Middle School · White River School District

PO Box 1683, Buckley, WA 98321

Enrollment

960

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buckley

#4 of 6

public schools

Washington middle schools

#53 of 374

In district

#4 of 7

White River School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Glacier Middle School

Glacier Middle School serves 960 students in grades 6-8 in Buckley, Washington, operating as a regular public school within Pierce County. With 46 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1, providing a substantial middle school experience for families in this large suburban community. The school currently ranks in the 50th percentile among Washington middle schools, holding position #1135 out of 2261 schools statewide.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 56% of students perform at proficient levels or above across all grade levels, indicating steady academic progress with room for continued growth and development. Glacier Middle School draws from an established suburban neighborhood where families demonstrate strong economic stability. The surrounding ZIP code 98321 reflects a community with a median household income of $122,399 and median home values of $488,600.

With a notably low poverty rate of 2.6% among the area's 16,936 residents and 27% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves families who value educational opportunities and community investment. The school's location in Buckley positions it within a large suburban setting that combines small-town charm with access to greater Pierce County resources and amenities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Glacier Middle School is 20.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.4%
Math vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,938

Glacier Middle School — Students at Glacier Middle School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.6%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 60.1%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2022
ELA
56%
2024
Math
46.3%
ELA
61.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.

How Glacier Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in WA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

PO Box 1683, Buckley, WA 98321

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Glacier Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Enumclaw Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Enumclaw), a more accessible option. Additionally, Thunder Mountain Middle School (rated 3.7/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Enumclaw), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buckley, see our Buckley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
White River Special Ed Services Buckley 0.1 mi
Elk Ridge Elementary Buckley 0.3 mi 7.3
Sunrise Elementary Enumclaw 1.5 mi 4.8
Southwood Elementary School Enumclaw 1.7 mi 6.0
Enumclaw Middle School Enumclaw 1.7 mi 5.0
Special Ed School Enumclaw 1.8 mi
Enumclaw Sr High School Enumclaw 1.9 mi 6.5
Mountain Meadow Elementary Buckley 2.0 mi 8.3
White River Early Learning Center Buckley 2.1 mi 4.6
JJ Smith Elementary Enumclaw 3.2 mi 4.2
Byron Kibler Elementary School Enumclaw 3.4 mi 7.9
White River High School Buckley 2.7 mi 5.0
White River Reengagement Program Buckley 2.7 mi
Wilkeson Elementary School Wilkeson 4.4 mi 6.9
Thunder Mountain Middle School Enumclaw 4.4 mi 3.7
Westwood Elementary School Enumclaw 4.8 mi 7.4
Carbonado Historical School 19 Carbonado 5.9 mi 7.1
Foothills Elementary Buckley 4.4 mi 7.3
Liberty Ridge Elementary Sumner 6.2 mi 8.7
Dieringer Heights Elementary Lake Tapps 6.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,081

Median Home Value

$524,300

Median Rent

$1,805/mo

Population

17,601

College Educated

23.6%

Homeownership

88.5%

Avg Commute

36.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Glacier Middle School has a median household income of $127,081. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $524,300, with a median rent of $1,805/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eckstein Middle School Seattle, WA 7.1
Pacific Cascade Middle School Issaquah, WA 7.1
Tillicum Middle School Bellevue, WA 7.1
Heatherwood Middle School Mill Creek, WA 7.0
Oak Harbor Intermediate School Oak Harbor, WA 7.0
Timbercrest Middle School Woodinville, WA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Glacier Middle School

What grades does Glacier Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Glacier Middle School?

Glacier Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 960 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Glacier Middle School is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Glacier Middle School rank in WA?

Glacier Middle School is ranked #763 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Glacier Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Glacier Middle School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Glacier Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Glacier Middle School has 46.6% math proficiency and 60.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Glacier Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Glacier Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

38.0% of students at Glacier 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,058/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buckley). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
960
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

White River School District
District Enrollment
4,500
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,365
District Rank
#4 of 7

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 methodology

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