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Very Good

#748 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 34% in state

Northstar Middle School

Middle School · Lake Washington School District

10903 NE 53rd St, Kirkland, WA 98033

Enrollment

89

Student-Teacher

22.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kirkland

#18 of 24

public schools

Washington middle schools

#51 of 374

In district

#38 of 53

Lake Washington School District

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Northstar Middle School

Northstar Middle School serves 89 students in grades 6-8 as an alternative school in Kirkland, Washington. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio while delivering exceptional academic results. Students consistently excel in English Language Arts, with an impressive 98% achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels.

The school's outstanding performance has earned it a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and a ranking of #166 out of 2,261 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile. This academic excellence reflects both the school's focused approach as an alternative educational setting and the strong educational foundation provided by its dedicated teaching staff. Northstar Middle School is located in the affluent 98033 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $163,786 and 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's commitment to education is evident in its low 6.6% poverty rate and median home values of nearly $1.2 million. This supportive community environment, combined with the school's specialized alternative programming, creates an ideal setting for middle school students to thrive academically in Kirkland's large suburban landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 89 students, Northstar Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Northstar Middle School is 22.2:1, 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 Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency94.4%
Math vs. State Avg+47 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+43.8 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected+16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment3.0Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,269

Northstar Middle School — Students at Northstar Middle School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

3.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 88.0%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 96.5%
School
State
50.6%

Based on 10 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
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2022
ELA
97.5%
2024
Math
85.6%
ELA
94.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.

How Northstar Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in WA
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
3%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

10903 NE 53rd St, Kirkland, WA 98033

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northstar Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Benjamin Franklin Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeview Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CEDAR CREST ACADEMY BELLEWOOD (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Bellevue), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kirkland, see our Kirkland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Emerson High School Kirkland 0.0 mi 7.8
Emerson K-12 Kirkland 0.0 mi 6.9
KIRKLAND CHILDRENS SCHOOL Kirkland 0.1 mi
Community School Kirkland 0.6 mi 4.3
International Community School Kirkland 0.6 mi 8.2
CEDAR CREST ACADEMY KIRKLAND Kirkland 0.7 mi 5.6
EASTSIDE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Kirkland 0.8 mi 6.7
CHESTNUT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellevue 0.9 mi
Lakeview Elementary Kirkland 0.9 mi 8.8
LINDAMOOD-BELL LEARNING PROCESSES BELLEVUE Bellevue 1.2 mi
HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Kirkland 1.3 mi 6.4
THE LITTLE SCHOOL Bellevue 1.4 mi 7.1
Lake Washington High School Kirkland 1.4 mi 7.4
Benjamin Franklin Elementary Kirkland 1.1 mi 8.9
OVERLAKE SPECIALTY SCHOOL Bellevue 1.5 mi 7.0
BELLEVUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellevue 1.7 mi 6.9
CEDAR CREST ACADEMY - BELLEWOOD CAMPUS Bellevue 1.8 mi 7.5
CEDAR CREST ACADEMY BELLEWOOD Bellevue 1.8 mi 8.3
Cherry Crest Elementary School Bellevue 1.4 mi 7.6
Clyde Hill Elementary Bellevue 1.8 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$174,005

Median Home Value

$1,259,900

Median Rent

$2,386/mo

Population

40,662

College Educated

73.3%

Homeownership

63.8%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

39.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northstar Middle School has a median household income of $174,005. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,259,900, with a median rent of $2,386/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Selkirk Middle School Ione, WA 7.2
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.4
NOVA SCHOOL Olympia, WA 6.4
LAKE WASHINGTON GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.8
BILLINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.9
Lind-Ritzville Middle School Lind, WA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northstar Middle School

What grades does Northstar Middle School serve?

Northstar Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Northstar Middle School?

Northstar Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 89 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northstar Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northstar Middle School is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northstar Middle School rank in WA?

Northstar Middle School is ranked #748 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Northstar Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northstar Middle School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Northstar Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northstar Middle School has 88.0% math proficiency and 96.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northstar Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Northstar Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

3.4% of students at Northstar 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
48 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,075/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kirkland). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
89
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
3.4%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lake Washington School District
District Enrollment
30,882
Schools in District
57
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,053
District Rank
#38 of 53

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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