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
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
19:1
Score
3.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
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
Middle School in Des Moines · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Midway Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mount Rainier High School
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).
- 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pacific Middle School — Students at Pacific Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 3.4/10.
How Pacific Middle School Compares
See how Pacific Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
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.
Neighborhood Context
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%
- Phone
- (206) 631-5800
Resources & Links
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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