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Average

#1800 of 2,225 schools in WA

Gray Middle School

Middle School · Tacoma School District

6229 S Tyler St, Tacoma, WA 98409

Enrollment

526

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#71 of 83

public schools

Washington middle schools

#264 of 374

In district

#52 of 62

Tacoma School District

About Gray Middle School

Gray Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school enrolls 526 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1. The campus setting is situated within a mid-size city, offering a variety of urban resources and opportunities for students.

Gray Middle School has an enrollment that reflects a diverse community in Pierce County. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide individualized attention to each student's needs. However, according to recent academic performance data from MySchoolScout, Gray Middle School currently ranks in the lower percentile of schools statewide with an overall rating of 3.2 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.6 out of 10.

Specifically, only 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 16% in Math, and 18% in Science. Despite these challenges, the school community is dedicated to fostering student development and improving educational outcomes for its young learners. Gray Middle School's setting within a mid-size city provides unique opportunities for students to engage with their local environment while receiving support tailored to meet their needs.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.4%
Math vs. State Avg-25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.1 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,575

Gray Middle School — Students at Gray Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.8%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 26.4%
School
State
49.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
26%
ELA
34%
2022
ELA
32%
2024
Math
13.3%
ELA
23.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Gray Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
19th percentile in WA
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

6229 S Tyler St, Tacoma, WA 98409

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gray Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Angelo Giaudrone Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lochburn Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Lakewood), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Manitou Park Elementary School Tacoma 0.2 mi 5.1
VISITATION CATHOLIC STEM ACADEMY Tacoma 0.6 mi 8.3
Mount Tahoma High School Tacoma 0.8 mi 6.8
Edison Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 4.6
Arlington Elementary School Tacoma 1.0 mi 6.9
SOUND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tacoma 1.2 mi 6.7
Madison Headstart Tacoma 1.5 mi
General William H. Harrison Preparatory School Lakewood 1.8 mi 7.0
Four Heroes Elementary Lakewood 1.8 mi 7.9
Lochburn Middle School Lakewood 1.7 mi 4.5
Oakland High School Tacoma 2.1 mi 7.4
Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma 1.7 mi 6.7
Dower Elementary School Lakewood 1.8 mi 4.9
Clover Park Early Learning Program Lakewood 2.4 mi 4.9
Insight School of WA Open Doors Program Tacoma 2.2 mi
Whittier Elementary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 8.8
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL University Place 1.8 mi 6.0
Lakeview Hope Academy Lakewood 2.7 mi 5.7
Reed Elementary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 7.3
Foss High School Tacoma 2.8 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98409 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,649

Median Home Value

$363,000

Median Rent

$1,579/mo

Population

27,298

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

43.5%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

32.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gray Middle School has a median household income of $71,649. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $363,000, with a median rent of $1,579/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Enumclaw Middle School Enumclaw, WA 5.0
Hoquiam Middle School Hoquiam, WA 5.0
Anacortes Middle School Anacortes, WA 4.9
Kilo Middle School Auburn, WA 5.1
Kingston Middle School Kingston, WA 4.9
Liberty Middle School Camas, WA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gray Middle School

What grades does Gray Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Gray Middle School?

Gray Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 526 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Gray Middle School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gray Middle School rank in WA?

Gray Middle School is ranked #1800 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Gray Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gray Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Gray Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gray Middle School has 15.8% math proficiency and 26.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gray Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Gray Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

82.3% of students at Gray 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

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
526
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#52 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 methodology

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