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#1507 of 2,225 schools in WA

Rainier Middle School

Middle School · Rainier School District

PO Box 98, Rainier, WA 98576

Enrollment

240

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rainier

#2 of 3

public schools

Washington middle schools

#199 of 374

In district

#2 of 3

Rainier School District

About Rainier Middle School

Rainier Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Rainier, Washington, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 240 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed. The dedicated staff includes 12 full-time equivalent teachers who focus on fostering a supportive learning environment.

Academically, Rainier Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and is ranked 34th percentile among schools in Washington state. Students perform at 44% proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading and Science, while Math proficiency stands at 41%. These scores indicate areas where the school can continue to grow and improve.

Set in a rural area, Rainier Middle School benefits from its close-knit community, offering students a tight-knit environment that promotes strong relationships between teachers and students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Rainier 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 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.7%
Math vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.8 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment3.5Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,532

Rainier Middle School — Students at Rainier Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.6%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 44.2%
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
47%
ELA
52%
2022
ELA
42%
2024
Math
39%
ELA
42.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How Rainier Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in WA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

PO Box 98, Rainier, WA 98576

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rainier Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ridgeline Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Yelm), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Yelm Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Yelm), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tenino Middle School (rated 3.8/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Tenino), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rainier, see our Rainier schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Rainier Senior High School Rainier 0.1 mi 5.2
Rainier Elementary School Rainier 0.3 mi 8.7
EAGLE VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yelm 3.9 mi 5.9
Ridgeline Middle School Yelm 4.7 mi 6.5
Mill Pond Elementary School Yelm 4.8 mi 8.5
Yelm High School 12 Yelm 5.4 mi 6.0
Southworth Elementary Yelm 6.1 mi 5.9
Yelm Middle School Yelm 5.5 mi 6.2
Yelm Extension School Yelm 5.5 mi 4.8
Yelm Prairie Elementary Yelm 5.5 mi 6.7
Fort Stevens Elementary Yelm 6.0 mi 7.9
McKenna Elementary Yelm 7.3 mi 6.6
Woodland Elementary Lacey 9.3 mi 6.5
Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey 9.8 mi 6.5
Chambers Prairie Elementary School Lacey 9.1 mi 6.4
Tenino Elementary School Tenino 7.7 mi 6.9
East Olympia Elementary Olympia 8.5 mi 6.5
Tenino Middle School Tenino 7.8 mi 3.8
Parkside Elementary Tenino 7.8 mi 6.7
Lakes Elementary School Lacey 9.8 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98576 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,336

Median Home Value

$400,000

Median Rent

$1,193/mo

Population

5,063

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

89.9%

Avg Commute

40.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rainier Middle School has a median household income of $101,336. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $400,000, with a median rent of $1,193/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute in the area is 40 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chelan Middle School Chelan, WA 5.6
Sadie Halstead Middle School Newport, WA 5.6
Brewster Middle School Brewster, WA 5.5
Friday Harbor Middle School Friday Harbor, WA 5.5
Mount Baker Junior High Deming, WA 5.7
South Whidbey Middle Langley, WA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rainier Middle School

What grades does Rainier Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Rainier Middle School?

Rainier Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Rainier Middle School is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rainier Middle School rank in WA?

Rainier Middle School is ranked #1507 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Rainier Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rainier Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Rainier Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rainier Middle School has 40.6% math proficiency and 44.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rainier Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Rainier Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

49.6% of students at Rainier 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

County Safety
Average (352/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Thurston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rainier School District
District Enrollment
979
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,579
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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