Needs Improvement
#2148 of 2,225 schools in WA
Nisqually Middle School
Middle School · North Thurston Public Schools
8100 Steilacoom Rd SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Enrollment
815
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
3.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
815
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
3.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lacey
#22 of 24
public schools
Washington middle schools
#353 of 374
In district
#22 of 24
North Thurston Public Schools
About Nisqually Middle School
Nisqually Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Lacey, Washington, with an enrollment of 815 students. Located at 8100 Steilacoom Rd SE in Thurston County, this public middle school has 45 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1. Academically, the school is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.
In English/Language Arts, 39% of students are performing at or above grade-level proficiency, while mathematics shows 22% proficiency and science shows 32% proficiency. The school's academic performance reflects room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and a state ranking in the 12th percentile among Washington schools. As a regular public school in a small city setting, Nisqually Middle School serves the Lacey community and provides a traditional middle school experience for students navigating the transition from elementary to high school education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Nisqually Middle School — Students at Nisqually Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.
How Nisqually Middle School Compares
See how Nisqually Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 17.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 35.4% (2024).
Location
8100 Steilacoom Rd SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nisqually Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakes Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lacey, see our Lacey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lydia Hawk Elementary Lacey | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Olympic View Elementary Lacey | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| River Ridge High School Lacey | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lacey | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lacey | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Seven Oaks Elementary Lacey | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| THE PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL Lacey | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Meadows Elementary Lacey | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Lacey | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Salish Middle School Lacey | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Lacey Elementary Lacey | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL Lacey | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Woodland Elementary Lacey | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Timberline High School Lacey | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Lacey | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Lakes Elementary School Lacey | 3.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Summit VIrtual Academy Lacey | 2.7 mi | 2.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,515
Median Home Value
$407,700
Median Rent
$1,673/mo
Population
42,189
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
58.7%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nisqually Middle School has a median household income of $87,515. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $407,700, with a median rent of $1,673/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% 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 |
|---|---|
| Harbour Pointe Middle School Mukilteo, WA | 3.6 |
| Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood, WA | 3.6 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle School Vancouver, WA | 3.6 |
| Central Kitsap Middle School Silverdale, WA | 3.7 |
| Miller Junior High Aberdeen, WA | 3.5 |
| Ridgetop Middle School Silverdale, WA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nisqually Middle School
What grades does Nisqually Middle School serve?
Nisqually Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Nisqually Middle School?
Nisqually Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 815 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nisqually Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nisqually Middle School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nisqually Middle School rank in WA?
Nisqually Middle School is ranked #2148 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Nisqually Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nisqually Middle School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Nisqually Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nisqually Middle School has 22.1% math proficiency and 38.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nisqually Middle School a charter school?
No, Nisqually Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nisqually Middle School a Title I school?
No, Nisqually Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nisqually Middle School?
52.1% of students at Nisqually 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,662/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lacey). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 815
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Thurston County
- Phone
- (360) 412-4770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Thurston Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,197
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,096
- District Rank
- #22 of 24
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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