Average
#1746 of 2,225 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
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shelton
#2 of 3
public schools
Washington middle schools
#252 of 374
In district
#1 of 2
Pioneer School District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Pioneer Middle School
Pioneer Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Shelton, Washington, in Mason County. Situated on E Spencer Lake Road, the school serves 252 students from sixth to eighth grade with a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1. The school has 22 full-time equivalent teachers committed to providing quality education.
Pioneer Middle School's academic performance reflects areas where there is room for growth. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranking in the 20th percentile among Washington schools, the school is focusing on student development. In terms of subject proficiency, 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 23% in Math, and 38% in Science.
The school’s setting is rural, near a town, offering a close-knit community feel where teachers know their students well and work closely with families to support student success.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pioneer Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pioneer Middle School — Students at Pioneer Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 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: 3.5/10.
How Pioneer Middle School Compares
See how Pioneer Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 20.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 33.3% (2024).
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. Oakland Bay Junior High School (rated 4.4/10, 5.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Olympic Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 5.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 3.8 |
| Southside Elementary Shelton | 4.8 mi | 7.9 |
| MASON COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Shelton | 4.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Grapeview Elementary & Middle School Grapeview | 5.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Shelton Open Doors Shelton | 5.6 mi | — |
| Mason County Detention Center Shelton | 5.6 mi | — |
| Cedar High School Shelton | 5.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Bordeaux Elementary School Shelton | 6.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Choice Middle and High School Shelton | 5.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Evergreen Elementary School Shelton | 5.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Olympic Middle School Shelton | 5.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Mountain View Elementary Shelton | 5.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Oakland Bay Junior High School Shelton | 5.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Shelton High School Shelton | 5.8 mi | 4.0 |
| SHELTON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Shelton | 7.3 mi | — |
| Boston Harbor Elementary Olympia | 10.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Hood Canal Elementary School Shelton | 8.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Griffin School Olympia | 12.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Leland P Brown Elementary Olympia | 13.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Julia Butler Hansen Elementary Olympia | 13.7 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pioneer Middle School has a median household income of $73,149. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $365,200, with a median rent of $1,250/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Hidden River Middle School Snohomish, WA | 5.1 |
| Hilltop Elementary School Ilwaco, WA | 5.2 |
| West Valley City School Spokane, WA | 4.9 |
| Zillah Middle School Zillah, WA | 4.9 |
| Omak Middle School Omak, WA | 4.8 |
| Wayne M Henkle Middle School White Salmon, WA | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #1746 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Pioneer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pioneer Middle School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer Middle School has 23.4% math proficiency and 37.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,899/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shelton). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 426-8291
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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 methodologyRelated reading
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