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Average

#931 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 42% in state

Spanaway Middle School

Middle School · Bethel School District

15701 B St E, Tacoma, WA 98445

Enrollment

750

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#931 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#31 of 88

public schools

In district

#17 of 33

Bethel School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Spanaway Middle School

6.7/10

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

Thompson Preschool

5.1/10

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

Chester H Thompson Elementary

8.2/10

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

About Spanaway Middle School

Spanaway Middle School is a public middle school in Tacoma, WA, part of Bethel School District. Spanaway Middle School serves approximately 750 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Spanaway Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #931 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Spanaway Middle School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Spanaway Middle School runs 22.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

43% of students at Spanaway 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 Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.3% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.6% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.9 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,370
Chronic Absenteeism42.7%

Spanaway Middle School — Students at Spanaway Middle School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 50.5% (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

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
34%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
38%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
36%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
32.3%
ELA
49%
2024
Math
41.1%
ELA
46.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How Spanaway Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in WA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.7%

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

15701 B St E, Tacoma, WA 98445

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spanaway Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cedarcrest Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), a more accessible option. Additionally, Perry G Keithley Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Thompson Preschool Tacoma 0.1 mi 5.1
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 0.2 mi 8.2
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 0.6 mi 3.2
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 0.8 mi 4.0
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 0.8 mi 7.8
IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma 0.8 mi
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 1.0 mi 3.7
Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway 1.3 mi 8.9
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 1.4 mi 3.7
Evergreen Elementary Spanaway 1.2 mi 7.1
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 1.3 mi 6.4
Challenger High School Spanaway 1.6 mi 2.4
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 1.7 mi 6.4
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 1.7 mi 8.6
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 2.0 mi 5.6
Early Learning Center Tacoma 2.1 mi 5.1
Collins Elementary Tacoma 2.0 mi 6.3
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway 2.3 mi 4.1
Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma 2.3 mi 4.0
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma 1.9 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98445 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,063

Median Home Value

$413,200

Median Rent

$1,721/mo

Population

33,578

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

69.7%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

37

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chase Middle School Spokane, WA 6.7
Finn Hill Middle School Kirkland, WA 6.7
Kulshan Middle School Bellingham, WA 6.7
Maple View Middle School Covington, WA 6.7
Meadowdale Middle School Lynnwood, WA 6.7
Meridian Middle School Kent, WA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spanaway Middle School

What grades does Spanaway Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Spanaway Middle School?

Spanaway Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 750 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Spanaway Middle School is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spanaway Middle School rank in WA?

Spanaway Middle School ranks #931 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Spanaway Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spanaway Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Spanaway Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spanaway Middle School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Spanaway Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Spanaway Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

65.9% of students at Spanaway 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.7%

District

Bethel School District
District Enrollment
21,539
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,370
District Rank
#17 of 33

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