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Needs Improvement

#2167 of 2,225 schools in WA

Salish Middle School

Middle School · North Thurston Public Schools

8605 Campus Glen Dr NE, Lacey, WA 98516

Enrollment

787

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

3.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lacey

#23 of 24

public schools

Washington middle schools

#360 of 374

In district

#23 of 24

North Thurston Public Schools

About Salish Middle School

Salish Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Lacey, Washington, with an enrollment of 787 students. The school operates as a regular public middle school with 39 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1. Academically, Salish is working to strengthen its performance across core subjects.

In reading and language arts, 46% of students performed at proficient levels or above. Mathematics and science show areas with room for growth, with 31% of students proficient or above in math and 29% in science. The school ranks in the 20th percentile statewide among Washington schools, reflecting the academic challenges the community is addressing.

Located in the small city of Lacey in Thurston County, Salish Middle School serves a diverse population of students during a critical developmental period in their education. The school community continues to work toward improving student achievement and building strong foundational skills in core academic areas.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Salish Middle School is 20.2:1, 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.4%
Math vs. State Avg-12.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,854

Salish Middle School — Students at Salish Middle School score 34% 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

49.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.1%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 45.8%
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
50%
ELA
63%
2022
ELA
46%
2024
Math
26.4%
ELA
41.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Salish Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in WA
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

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

Location

8605 Campus Glen Dr NE, Lacey, WA 98516

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salish Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wa He Lut Indian School (rated 8.1/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Olympia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lacey, see our Lacey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
River Ridge High School Lacey 1.7 mi 4.2
Olympic View Elementary Lacey 1.8 mi 7.4
Nisqually Middle School Lacey 2.3 mi 3.6
Meadows Elementary Lacey 2.5 mi 5.8
Lydia Hawk Elementary Lacey 2.5 mi 6.1
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lacey 3.0 mi 7.2
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lacey 3.0 mi 6.0
PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey 3.2 mi 8.0
THE PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL Lacey 3.2 mi 7.6
Seven Oaks Elementary Lacey 3.7 mi 6.6
Wa He Lut Indian School Olympia 2.7 mi 8.1
Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey 4.3 mi 6.5
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Lacey 4.3 mi 8.2
POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL Lacey 3.9 mi 7.5
Lacey Elementary Lacey 4.2 mi 4.7
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Lacey 3.6 mi 7.5
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey 3.6 mi 6.3
Pleasant Glade Elementary Lacey 3.4 mi 6.6
Envision Career Academy Lacey 3.7 mi 4.4
Summit VIrtual Academy Lacey 3.8 mi 2.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,191

Median Home Value

$528,000

Median Rent

$1,948/mo

Population

28,286

College Educated

37%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Salish Middle School has a median household income of $92,191. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $528,000, with a median rent of $1,948/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Miller Junior High Aberdeen, WA 3.5
Ridgetop Middle School Silverdale, WA 3.5
Sierra Vista Middle School Sunnyside, WA 3.5
Harbour Pointe Middle School Mukilteo, WA 3.6
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood, WA 3.6
Nisqually Middle School Lacey, WA 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salish Middle School

What grades does Salish Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Salish Middle School?

Salish Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 787 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Salish Middle School is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salish Middle School rank in WA?

Salish Middle School is ranked #2167 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Salish Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Salish Middle School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Salish Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salish Middle School has 31.1% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salish Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Salish Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

49.9% of students at Salish 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

City Safety
High (2,662/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
787
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Thurston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Thurston Public Schools
District Enrollment
15,197
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,096
District Rank
#23 of 24

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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