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Average

#1046 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 47% in state

Islander Middle School

Middle School · Mercer Island School District

8225 SE 72ND, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Enrollment

938

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mercer Island

#6 of 6

public schools

Washington middle schools

#103 of 374

In district

#6 of 6

Mercer Island School District

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Islander Middle School

Islander Middle School serves 938 students in grades 6-8 on Mercer Island, Washington, delivering strong academic performance in an affluent suburban setting. With 45 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio, the school has earned a solid 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 88th percentile statewide at #261 out of 2,261 Washington schools. The school's academic strength is particularly evident in English Language Arts and Reading, where 80% of students achieve proficient or above average performance across all grade levels.

This impressive achievement reflects both the school's educational approach and the highly educated community it serves, with 78% of neighborhood residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Islander Middle School operates within the 98040 zip code area of Mercer Island, where families enjoy a median household income of $190,985 and the community maintains a low 5.3% poverty rate. The neighborhood's commitment to education is further reflected in median home values of $1,683,600, indicating families who prioritize living in areas with strong schools.

The school sits in King County's large suburban environment, providing students with both the resources of a well-funded district and the close-knit feel of island community life.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Islander Middle School is 20.8:1, 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 Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.5%
Math vs. State Avg+30.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,431

Islander Middle School — Students at Islander Middle School score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.5%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 78.4%
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
81%
ELA
84%
2022
ELA
80%
2024
Math
69.1%
ELA
76.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Islander Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in WA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

8225 SE 72ND, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Islander Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Island Park Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northwood Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Mercer Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mercer Island, see our Mercer Island schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Lakeridge Elementary School Mercer Island 0.4 mi 8.4
Island Park Elementary Mercer Island 1.2 mi 9.2
NORTHWEST YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL Mercer Island 1.5 mi 6.9
ST MONICA SCHOOL Mercer Island 2.2 mi 6.7
Griffin Home Renton 1.9 mi
West Mercer Elementary Mercer Island 2.4 mi 8.8
Mercer Island High School Mercer Island 2.4 mi 7.2
Northwood Elementary School Mercer Island 2.5 mi 9.1
Kennydale Elementary School Renton 2.0 mi 6.7
Emerson Elementary School Seattle 2.1 mi 7.7
Lakeridge Elementary School Seattle 2.6 mi 4.6
Bryn Mawr Elementary School Seattle 2.7 mi 4.9
DERECH EMUNAH Seattle 1.9 mi
DERECH EMUNAH DBA SEATTLE JEWISH GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Seattle 1.9 mi
Rainier Beach High School Seattle 2.0 mi 6.5
Graham Hill Elementary School Seattle 2.0 mi 5.0
TORAH ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Seattle 2.2 mi
PRIVETT ACADEMY Mercer Island 2.9 mi
YELLOW WOOD ACADEMY Mercer Island 2.9 mi 8.2
Alan T. Sugiyama High School Seattle 2.1 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$202,359

Median Home Value

$1,884,200

Median Rent

$2,464/mo

Population

25,282

College Educated

78.8%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

45.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Islander Middle School has a median household income of $202,359. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,884,200, with a median rent of $2,464/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Canyon Park Middle School Bothell, WA 6.5
Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham, WA 6.5
Hamilton International Middle School Seattle, WA 6.5
Ridgeline Middle School Yelm, WA 6.5
Valley View Middle School Snohomish, WA 6.5
Baker Middle School Tacoma, WA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Islander Middle School

What grades does Islander Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Islander Middle School?

Islander Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 938 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Islander Middle School is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Islander Middle School rank in WA?

Islander Middle School is ranked #1046 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Islander Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Islander Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Islander Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Islander Middle School has 71.5% math proficiency and 78.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Islander Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Islander Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

7.5% of students at Islander 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
Elevated (1,278/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
938
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mercer Island School District
District Enrollment
3,975
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,288
District Rank
#6 of 6

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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