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Needs Improvement

#2079 of 2,228 schools in WA

Morris Ford Middle School

Middle School · Franklin Pierce School District

1602 104th Street East, Tacoma, WA 98445

Enrollment

820

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

3.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,079 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#85 of 88

public schools

In district

#13 of 14

Franklin Pierce School District

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Morris Ford Middle School

3.8/10

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

Franklin Pierce High School

4.6/10

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

Midland Elementary

5.2/10

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

About Morris Ford Middle School

Morris Ford Middle School is a public middle school in Tacoma, WA, part of Franklin Pierce School District. Morris Ford Middle School serves approximately 820 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Morris Ford Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,079 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Morris Ford Middle School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.9
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

53% of students at Morris Ford 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.1% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-16 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,065
Chronic Absenteeism52.7%

Morris Ford Middle School — Students at Morris Ford Middle School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 55.3% (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
53%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
68%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
31%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
31%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
23.7%
ELA
38%
2024
Math
22.7%
ELA
37.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.

How Morris Ford Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
7th percentile in WA
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.7%

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

1602 104th Street East, Tacoma, WA 98445

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Morris Ford Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Gates Secondary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is James Sales Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Boze Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Franklin Pierce High School Tacoma 0.3 mi 4.6
Midland Elementary Tacoma 0.5 mi 5.2
Harvard Elementary Tacoma 1.3 mi 5.6
Collins Elementary Tacoma 1.5 mi 6.3
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma 1.3 mi 5.1
Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 6.6
Early Learning Center Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.1
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 1.6 mi 5.6
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 1.9 mi 3.7
EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma 2.2 mi 6.5
Boze Elementary School Tacoma 2.5 mi 7.0
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 1.8 mi 4.4
Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma 2.0 mi 6.2
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 2.2 mi 6.4
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 8.6
Waller Road Elementary Tacoma 2.8 mi 5.2
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 2.0 mi 8.6
Baker Middle School Tacoma 2.3 mi 6.5
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 2.6 mi 6.4
Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma 3.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98445 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,063

Median Home Value

$413,200

Median Rent

$1,721/mo

Population

33,578

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

69.7%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

37

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Haller Middle School Arlington, WA 3.8
Rainier Middle School Auburn, WA 3.8
Wyeast Middle School Vancouver, WA 3.8
Gaiser Middle School Vancouver, WA 3.7
Ellen Ochoa Middle School Pasco, WA 3.9
Sacajawea Middle School Federal Way, WA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Morris Ford Middle School

What grades does Morris Ford Middle School serve?

Morris Ford Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Morris Ford Middle School?

Morris Ford Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 820 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Morris Ford Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Morris Ford Middle School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Morris Ford Middle School rank in WA?

Morris Ford Middle School ranks #2,079 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Morris Ford Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Morris Ford Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Morris Ford Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Morris Ford Middle School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Morris Ford Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Morris Ford Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

68.4% of students at Morris Ford 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
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.7%

District

Franklin Pierce School District
District Enrollment
7,296
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,065
District Rank
#13 of 14

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