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
Enrollment
960
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Glacier Middle School — Students at Glacier Middle School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 47.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 61.4% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (360) 829-3395
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
White River School District- District Enrollment
- 4,500
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,365
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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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