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Below Average

#2030 of 2,228 schools in WA

Perry G Keithley Middle School

Middle School · Franklin Pierce School District

12324 12TH AVE S, Tacoma, WA 98444

Enrollment

771

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

4.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,030 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#83 of 88

public schools

In district

#12 of 14

Franklin Pierce School District

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Perry G Keithley Middle School

4.0/10

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

Washington High School

4.2/10

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

James Sales Elementary

8.6/10

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

About Perry G Keithley Middle School

Perry G Keithley Middle School is a public middle school in Tacoma, WA, part of Franklin Pierce School District. Perry G Keithley Middle School serves approximately 771 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Perry G Keithley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,030 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Perry G Keithley Middle School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 3.9
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Perry G Keithley 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 Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.8% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-27.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,065
Chronic Absenteeism47.1%

Perry G Keithley Middle School — Students at Perry G Keithley Middle School score 17% 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

76.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 40.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 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
32%
ELA
53%
2010
Math
35%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
39%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
12.2%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
10.9%
ELA
23.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.

How Perry G Keithley Middle School Compares

See how Perry G Keithley Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
9th percentile in WA
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.1%

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

12324 12TH AVE S, Tacoma, WA 98444

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Perry G Keithley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Spanaway Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Baker Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington High School Tacoma 0.2 mi 4.2
James Sales Elementary Tacoma 0.7 mi 8.6
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 0.6 mi 8.6
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 0.7 mi 6.4
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 1.0 mi 6.4
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 0.9 mi 5.6
Christensen Elementary Tacoma 1.3 mi 4.4
Early Learning Center Tacoma 1.0 mi 5.1
IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma 1.6 mi
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 1.5 mi 3.7
Helen Stafford Elementary School Tacoma 2.0 mi 3.9
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tacoma 2.0 mi 5.1
Fern Hill Elementary School Tacoma 2.5 mi 6.2
Spanaway Middle School Tacoma 2.3 mi 6.7
Baker Middle School Tacoma 2.7 mi 6.5
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 2.6 mi 3.2
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 2.4 mi 5.1
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 2.7 mi 7.8
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 2.5 mi 8.2
Larchmont Elementary School Tacoma 2.6 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98444 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,464

Median Home Value

$369,500

Median Rent

$1,581/mo

Population

35,660

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

45.8%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

34.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Edmonds S. Meany Middle School Seattle, WA 4.0
Mount Baker Middle School Mount Vernon, WA 4.0
Post Middle School Arlington, WA 4.0
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway, WA 4.1
Evergreen Middle School Kent, WA 4.1
McFarland Middle School Othello, WA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Perry G Keithley Middle School

What grades does Perry G Keithley Middle School serve?

Perry G Keithley Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Perry G Keithley Middle School?

Perry G Keithley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 771 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Perry G Keithley Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Perry G Keithley Middle School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Perry G Keithley Middle School rank in WA?

Perry G Keithley Middle School ranks #2,030 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Perry G Keithley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Perry G Keithley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Perry G Keithley Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Perry G Keithley Middle School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Perry G Keithley Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Perry G Keithley Middle School a Title I school?

No, Perry G Keithley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Perry G Keithley Middle School?

76.4% of students at Perry G Keithley 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
771
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.1%

District

Franklin Pierce School District
District Enrollment
7,296
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,065
District Rank
#12 of 14

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