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Average

#1191 of 2,228 schools in WA

Pioneer Middle School

Middle School · Pioneer School District

112 E Spencer Lake Road, Shelton, WA 98584

Enrollment

252

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,191 of 2,228

In Shelton

#5 of 12

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Pioneer School District

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Pioneer Middle School

6.2/10

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

Pioneer Elementary School

3.7/10

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

Southside Elementary

7.5/10

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

About Pioneer Middle School

Pioneer Middle School is a public middle school in Shelton, WA, part of Pioneer School District. Pioneer Middle School serves approximately 252 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,191 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Pioneer Middle School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with WA schools
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Pioneer Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Pioneer Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

46% of students at Pioneer 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 Progress6.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.3% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-18 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,599
Chronic Absenteeism46.4%

Pioneer Middle School — Students at Pioneer Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 48.4% (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
31%
ELA
54%
2010
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
54%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
17.7%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
20.5%
ELA
32.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How Pioneer Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in WA
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.4%

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

112 E Spencer Lake Road, Shelton, WA 98584

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Olympic Middle School (rated 3.3/10, 5.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Oakland Bay Junior High School (rated 3.0/10, 5.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shelton, see our Shelton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Pioneer Elementary School Shelton 0.1 mi 3.7
Southside Elementary Shelton 4.8 mi 7.5
MASON COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Shelton 4.5 mi 5.6
Grapeview Elementary & Middle School Grapeview 5.9 mi 8.0
Shelton Open Doors Shelton 5.6 mi
Mason County Detention Center Shelton 5.6 mi
Cedar High School Shelton 5.4 mi 7.4
Bordeaux Elementary School Shelton 6.0 mi 7.3
Choice Middle and High School Shelton 5.7 mi 4.0
Evergreen Elementary School Shelton 5.8 mi 3.7
Olympic Middle School Shelton 5.7 mi 3.3
Mountain View Elementary Shelton 5.8 mi 5.5
Oakland Bay Junior High School Shelton 5.8 mi 3.0
Shelton High School Shelton 5.8 mi 2.8
SHELTON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Shelton 7.3 mi
Boston Harbor Elementary Olympia 10.2 mi 6.4
Hood Canal Elementary School Shelton 8.9 mi 7.3
Griffin School Olympia 12.3 mi 6.8
Leland P Brown Elementary Olympia 13.4 mi 6.0
Julia Butler Hansen Elementary Olympia 13.7 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98584 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,149

Median Home Value

$365,200

Median Rent

$1,250/mo

Population

40,036

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

77.1%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Wayne M Henkle Middle School White Salmon, WA 6.2
Kettle Falls Middle School Kettle Falls, WA 6.3
Hidden River Middle School Snohomish, WA 6.1
Highland Middle School Cowiche, WA 6.1
South Whidbey Middle Langley, WA 6.1
Aspire Middle School Lacey, WA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer Middle School

What grades does Pioneer Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Pioneer Middle School?

Pioneer Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 252 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Middle School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pioneer Middle School rank in WA?

Pioneer Middle School ranks #1,191 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Pioneer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Pioneer Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pioneer Middle School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Pioneer Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Pioneer Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

64.7% of students at Pioneer 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Mason County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.4%

District

Pioneer School District
District Enrollment
744
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,599
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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