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Below Average

#1845 of 2,228 schools in WA

La Center Middle School

Middle School · La Center School District

2001 Lockwood Creek Rd, La Center, WA 98629

Enrollment

413

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,845 of 2,228

In La Center

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

La Center School District

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La Center Middle School

4.7/10

Middle School in La Center · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

La Center High School

4.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

La Center Academy

4.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About La Center Middle School

La Center Middle School is a public middle school in La Center, WA, part of La Center School District. La Center Middle School serves approximately 413 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. La Center Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,845 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for La Center Middle School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts below WA schools
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

La Center Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

33% of students at La Center 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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.91 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.7% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.6% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-3.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.9 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-17.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,259
Chronic Absenteeism32.7%

La Center Middle School — Students at La Center Middle School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 60.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
58%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
59%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
25.5%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
34.7%
ELA
43.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.

How La Center Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in WA
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2001 Lockwood Creek Rd, La Center, WA 98629

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Center Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Woodland Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. Another option is View Ridge Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Ridgefield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sunset Ridge Intermediate School (rated 5.9/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Ridgefield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Center, see our La Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
La Center High School La Center 0.5 mi 4.8
La Center Academy La Center 0.5 mi 4.5
La Center Elementary La Center 0.7 mi 6.2
Wisdom Ridge Academy Ridgefield 4.1 mi 2.8
Ridgefield High School Ridgefield 5.3 mi 5.8
View Ridge Middle School Ridgefield 5.5 mi 6.1
Sunset Ridge Intermediate School Ridgefield 5.5 mi 5.9
CEDAR TREE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ridgefield 6.2 mi 6.0
South Ridge Elementary Ridgefield 6.5 mi 6.5
North Fork Elementary School Woodland 5.8 mi 9.2
Union Ridge Elementary Ridgefield 5.3 mi 8.7
Ridgefield Early Learning Center Ridgefield 5.3 mi 5.7
Woodland Middle School Woodland 5.7 mi 8.1
Woodland Alternative School Woodland 5.7 mi 4.3
Lewis River Academy Woodland 5.7 mi 3.8
Daybreak Middle Battle Ground 6.2 mi 5.1
Daybreak Primary Battle Ground 6.2 mi 7.1
Columbia Elementary School Woodland 5.8 mi 8.3
THE GARDNER SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES Vancouver 8.3 mi 7.4
CAM Academy Battle Ground 6.9 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,789

Median Home Value

$568,900

Median Rent

$1,978/mo

Population

9,051

College Educated

28%

Homeownership

91.5%

Avg Commute

36.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

43.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bowdish Middle School Spokane Valley, WA 4.7
Gray Middle School Tacoma, WA 4.7
Centennial Middle School Spokane, WA 4.8
Coweeman Middle School Kelso, WA 4.6
North Pines Middle School Spokane Valley, WA 4.6
Sadie Halstead Middle School Newport, WA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Center Middle School

What grades does La Center Middle School serve?

La Center Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend La Center Middle School?

La Center Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Center Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at La Center Middle School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Center Middle School rank in WA?

La Center Middle School ranks #1,845 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is La Center Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

La Center Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 La Center Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, La Center Middle School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is La Center Middle School a charter school?

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

Is La Center Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

31.7% of students at La Center 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Clark County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.7%

District

La Center School District
District Enrollment
1,826
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,259
District Rank
#3 of 4

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