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Needs Improvement

#2120 of 2,228 schools in WA

Pacific Middle School

Middle School · Highline School District

22705 24th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198

Enrollment

626

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

3.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,120 of 2,228

In Des Moines

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#28 of 34

Highline School District

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Pacific Middle School

3.6/10

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

Midway Elementary

3.8/10

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

Mount Rainier High School

5.8/10

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

About Pacific Middle School

Pacific Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, WA, part of Highline School District. Pacific Middle School serves approximately 626 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. Pacific Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,120 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Pacific Middle School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

49% of students at Pacific 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 Progress3.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.5% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-26.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,594
Chronic Absenteeism49%

Pacific Middle School — Students at Pacific Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 49.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 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
47%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
63%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
60%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
15.5%
ELA
33%
2024
Math
12.5%
ELA
28.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.

How Pacific Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
5th percentile in WA
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.0%

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

22705 24th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pacific Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chinook Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Seatac), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Evergreen Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Kent), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Midway Elementary Des Moines 0.1 mi 3.8
Mount Rainier High School Des Moines 0.2 mi 5.8
Cascade Public Schools Des Moines 0.3 mi
ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Des Moines 0.5 mi 6.4
Des Moines Elementary Des Moines 0.8 mi 5.3
River Ridge Elementary Seatac 0.7 mi 5.3
Parkside Elementary Des Moines 1.2 mi 3.5
Madrona Elementary Seatac 1.6 mi 3.9
Sunnycrest Elementary School Kent 1.6 mi 4.4
HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.1 mi 5.8
K-SCHOOL Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.4
Maritime High School Des Moines 2.0 mi 7.4
North Hill Elementary Des Moines 2.1 mi 8.4
Woodmont K-8 School Des Moines 2.5 mi 4.2
Star Lake Elementary School Kent 2.7 mi 5.6
Evergreen Middle School Kent 2.7 mi 4.1
Mark Twain Elementary School Federal Way 2.9 mi 3.3
Chinook Middle School Seatac 2.8 mi 5.0
BASIC STEPS ACADEMY Kent 2.3 mi
CHOICE Academy Seattle 2.9 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98198 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,938

Median Home Value

$527,100

Median Rent

$1,770/mo

Population

39,815

College Educated

31.5%

Homeownership

54.3%

Avg Commute

30.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

35.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Sequoyah Middle School Auburn, WA 3.6
Gaiser Middle School Vancouver, WA 3.7
Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma, WA 3.8
Haller Middle School Arlington, WA 3.8
Morris Ford Middle School Tacoma, WA 3.8
Wyeast Middle School Vancouver, WA 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pacific Middle School

What grades does Pacific Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Pacific Middle School?

Pacific Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 626 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Pacific Middle School is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pacific Middle School rank in WA?

Pacific Middle School ranks #2,120 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Pacific Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pacific Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Pacific Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pacific Middle School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Pacific Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Pacific Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

76.7% of students at Pacific 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
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.0%

District

Highline School District
District Enrollment
17,823
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,594
District Rank
#28 of 34

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