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Average

#1277 of 2,225 schools in WA

North Tapps Middle School

Middle School · Dieringer School District

20029 12th Street E., Lake Tapps, WA 98391

Enrollment

509

Student-Teacher

21.2:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lake Tapps

#3 of 3

public schools

Washington middle schools

#150 of 374

In district

#3 of 3

Dieringer School District

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About North Tapps Middle School

North Tapps Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Lake Tapps, Pierce County, Washington. Situated at 20029 12th Street E., the school serves students from sixth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 509 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.2:1. The teaching staff consists of 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.

North Tapps Middle School has earned a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.8 out of 10, placing it at the 73rd percentile among Washington state schools. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 72% in ELA/Reading and 62% in Math across all grade levels. Science performance is slightly higher with 64% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards.

The school's setting is within a large suburban area where it actively contributes to the community’s educational landscape, offering middle school students a supportive environment for growth and development.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at North Tapps Middle School is 21.2:1, 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 Progress5.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.1%
Math vs. State Avg+21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.6 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,534

North Tapps Middle School — Students at North Tapps Middle School score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 72.2%
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
71%
ELA
84%
2022
ELA
69%
2024
Math
59.7%
ELA
70.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.

How North Tapps Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in WA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

20029 12th Street E., Lake Tapps, WA 98391

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Tapps Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lakeridge Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Bonney Lake), with a very similar rating. Another option is Olympic Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Auburn), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mt Baker Middle School (rated 4.2/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Auburn), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lake Tapps, see our Lake Tapps schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Muckleshoot Tribal School Auburn 1.5 mi
Bowman Creek Elementary Auburn 1.5 mi 6.9
Lake Tapps Elementary Lake Tapps 1.5 mi 7.4
AUBURN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Auburn 2.2 mi 7.4
Dieringer Heights Elementary Lake Tapps 1.9 mi 7.0
BUENA VISTA SDA SCHOOL Auburn 2.2 mi 5.9
Chinook Elementary School Auburn 3.0 mi 5.9
Emerald Hills Elementary Bonney Lake 3.3 mi 5.7
Crestwood Elementary Bonney Lake 2.7 mi 8.2
Lakeridge Middle School Bonney Lake 3.4 mi 6.0
Lakeland Hills Elementary Auburn 2.6 mi 6.4
Gildo Rey Elementary School Auburn 3.3 mi 4.8
Auburn Riverside High School Auburn 3.2 mi 6.1
Mt Baker Middle School Auburn 3.3 mi 4.2
Pioneer Elementary School Auburn 3.7 mi 4.7
Bonney Lake Elementary Bonney Lake 4.5 mi 8.5
Ilalko Elementary School Auburn 3.3 mi 6.2
Olympic Middle School Auburn 3.9 mi 4.4
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Auburn 4.6 mi 7.3
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn 4.3 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98391 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$129,233

Median Home Value

$578,300

Median Rent

$2,178/mo

Population

57,691

College Educated

32.2%

Homeownership

86.3%

Avg Commute

37.5 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

37

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Tapps Middle School has a median household income of $129,233. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $578,300, with a median rent of $2,178/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor, WA 6.0
Washington Middle School Seattle, WA 6.0
Bethel Middle School Spanaway, WA 5.9
Cascade Middle School Longview, WA 5.9
Centennial Middle School Spokane, WA 5.9
Daybreak Middle Battle Ground, WA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Tapps Middle School

What grades does North Tapps Middle School serve?

North Tapps Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend North Tapps Middle School?

North Tapps Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 509 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Tapps Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Tapps Middle School is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Tapps Middle School rank in WA?

North Tapps Middle School is ranked #1277 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is North Tapps Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Tapps Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 North Tapps Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Tapps Middle School has 62.0% math proficiency and 72.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Tapps Middle School a charter school?

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

Is North Tapps Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

23.0% of students at North Tapps 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

County Safety
Elevated (763/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
509
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dieringer School District
District Enrollment
1,439
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,423
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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