Skip to main content

Average

#1386 of 2,225 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

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#57 of 83

public schools

Washington middle schools

#172 of 374

In district

#8 of 14

Franklin Pierce School District

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Morris Ford Middle School

Morris Ford Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Tacoma, Washington, with an enrollment of 820 students. As a regular public middle school, it maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 with 51 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Morris Ford is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.

In English language arts, 40% of students scored at or above proficiency levels, while science saw 36% of students meet proficiency benchmarks. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 24% of students testing at or above proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 3.2/10 reflects these developmental opportunities, and it ranks 1513th among Washington's 2261 schools.

The school is situated in a large suburban area of the Pierce County region, providing students with access to the broader Tacoma community resources and services typical of this setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.1%
Math vs. State Avg-16 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,349

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 24.3%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 39.7%
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
31%
ELA
52%
2022
ELA
38%
2024
Math
22.7%
ELA
37.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.

How Morris Ford Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in WA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

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. James Sales Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gates Secondary School (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fern Hill Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 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 4.7
Midland Elementary Tacoma 0.5 mi 6.3
Harvard Elementary Tacoma 1.3 mi 4.4
Collins Elementary Tacoma 1.5 mi 6.3
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma 1.3 mi 5.1
Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 7.4
Early Learning Center Tacoma 1.5 mi 5.2
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 1.6 mi 5.6
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 1.9 mi 6.9
EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Tacoma 2.2 mi 6.5
Boze Elementary School Tacoma 2.5 mi 6.7
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 1.8 mi 7.2
Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma 2.0 mi 7.6
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 2.2 mi 6.7
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 8.1
Waller Road Elementary Tacoma 2.8 mi 6.5
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 2.0 mi 8.7
Baker Middle School Tacoma 2.3 mi 6.6
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 2.6 mi 6.4
Fawcett Elementary School Tacoma 3.0 mi 5.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Morris Ford Middle School has a median household income of $90,063. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $413,200, with a median rent of $1,721/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Cougar Mountain Middle School Issaquah, WA 5.8
David T. Denny International Middle School Seattle, WA 5.8
Denny Yasuhara Middle School Spokane, WA 5.8
Komachin Middle School Lacey, WA 5.8
Toppenish Middle School Toppenish, WA 5.8
Voyager Middle School Everett, WA 5.8

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 is ranked #1386 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Morris Ford Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Morris Ford Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Morris Ford Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Morris Ford Middle School has 24.3% math proficiency and 39.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

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
820
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.