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#1799 of 2,225 schools in WA

Pioneer Middle

Middle School · Steilacoom Hist. School District

1750 BOB'S HOLLOW LN, Dupont, WA 98327

Enrollment

746

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dupont

#2 of 2

public schools

Washington middle schools

#263 of 374

In district

#5 of 6

Steilacoom Hist. School District

About Pioneer Middle

Pioneer Middle serves students in grades 6 through 8 in DuPont, a large suburban community in Pierce County. The school enrolls 746 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.7 to 1, supported by 36 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Pioneer Middle is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.

In English language arts, 62% of students are proficient or above, showing relative strength in reading and writing. Mathematics and science present areas for growth, with 42% and 46% of students respectively achieving proficiency or above. The school's academic score of 6.8 out of 10 reflects these mixed results, and it ranks at the 54th percentile among Washington schools.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10, Pioneer Middle represents a middle-performing school with room for academic development. The school's suburban setting provides a stable community environment for its student body. Parents considering Pioneer Middle should recognize both the school's challenges and its potential as a neighborhood middle school serving the DuPont area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Middle is 20.7:1, 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 Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.4%
Math vs. State Avg-0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,606

Pioneer Middle — Students at Pioneer Middle score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.5%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 62.2%
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
55%
ELA
73%
2022
ELA
55%
2024
Math
38.2%
ELA
61.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.

How Pioneer Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
19th percentile in WA
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

1750 BOB'S HOLLOW LN, Dupont, WA 98327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Beachwood Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Jblm Lewis North), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chloe Clark Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meriwether Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Jblm Lewis North), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dupont, see our Dupont schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont 0.6 mi 8.7
Rainier Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main 2.4 mi 6.1
Wa He Lut Indian School Olympia 3.4 mi 8.1
Beachwood Elementary School Jblm Lewis North 3.2 mi 9.0
Meriwether Elementary School Jblm Lewis North 3.7 mi 8.6
Saltars Point Elementary Steilacoom 4.7 mi 6.3
Hillside Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main 3.7 mi 4.8
Developmental Preschool Steilacoom 5.3 mi 6.0
Anderson Island Elementary Steilacoom 5.2 mi
Cherrydale Elementary Steilacoom 5.3 mi 8.3
Evergreen Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main 4.3 mi 7.2
LAKEWOOD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakewood 5.2 mi 6.4
Lakes High School Lakewood 5.5 mi 4.4
Alfaretta House Lakewood 5.5 mi
Lake Louise Elementary School Lakewood 5.4 mi 7.5
Thomas Middle School Lakewood 5.4 mi 4.7
Re-Entry High School Lakewood 5.4 mi
Tillicum Elementary School Lakewood 4.8 mi 6.5
Meadows Elementary Lacey 5.6 mi 5.8
Steilacoom High Steilacoom 6.4 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$114,423

Median Home Value

$550,200

Median Rent

$2,230/mo

Population

9,952

College Educated

54.7%

Homeownership

60.7%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pioneer Middle has a median household income of $114,423. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $550,200, with a median rent of $2,230/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Cedar Heights Middle School Covington, WA 5.0
Chinook Middle School Kennewick, WA 5.0
Enumclaw Middle School Enumclaw, WA 5.0
Evergreen Middle School Kent, WA 5.0
Gray Middle School Tacoma, WA 5.0
Kalles Junior High Puyallup, WA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer Middle

What grades does Pioneer Middle serve?

Pioneer Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Pioneer Middle?

Pioneer Middle has an enrollment of approximately 746 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Middle is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pioneer Middle rank in WA?

Pioneer Middle is ranked #1799 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Pioneer Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Middle has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Pioneer Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer Middle has 41.5% math proficiency and 62.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pioneer Middle a charter school?

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

Is Pioneer Middle a Title I school?

No, Pioneer Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

32.0% of students at Pioneer Middle 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,168/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
746
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Steilacoom Hist. School District
District Enrollment
3,039
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,148
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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