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Very Good

#664 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 30% 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

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#26 of 83

public schools

Washington middle schools

#43 of 374

In district

#7 of 33

Bethel School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Spanaway Middle School

Spanaware Middle School serves grades six through eight in Tacoma's large suburban community, with an enrollment of 750 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1, supported by 33 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Spanaway Middle School ranks at the 67th percentile statewide, positioning it at #748 among Washington's 2,261 schools.

The school's overall MySchoolScout Rating is 6.4 out of 10, with an academic score of 5.8 out of 10. In recent assessments, proficiency rates across grade levels show English Language Arts at 47 percent proficient or above, while mathematics reached 38 percent proficient or above, and science at 34 percent proficient or above. These results suggest areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.

Located at 15701 B Street East, Spanaway Middle School is situated in the established suburban area surrounding Tacoma, providing families with a traditional middle school experience in this growing region of Pierce County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Spanaway Middle School is 22.7:1, 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 Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.6%
Math vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.9 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,195

Spanaway Middle School — Students at Spanaway Middle School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

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 38.5%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 46.9%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2022
ELA
49%
2024
Math
41.1%
ELA
46.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.

How Spanaway Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
70th percentile in WA
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

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 5.2/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Spanaway), a more accessible option. Additionally, Perry G Keithley Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 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 5.7
Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma 0.2 mi 4.0
Acceleration Academy Spanaway 0.6 mi 4.1
BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway 0.8 mi 4.9
Spanaway Elementary Spanaway 0.8 mi 5.2
IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma 0.8 mi
Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway 1.0 mi 5.8
Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway 1.3 mi 9.3
Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma 1.4 mi 6.9
Evergreen Elementary Spanaway 1.2 mi 4.5
ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma 1.3 mi 6.4
Challenger High School Spanaway 1.6 mi 4.2
Brookdale Elementary Tacoma 1.7 mi 6.7
Gates Secondary School Tacoma 1.7 mi 8.1
PARKLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Tacoma 2.0 mi 5.6
Early Learning Center Tacoma 2.1 mi 5.2
Collins Elementary Tacoma 2.0 mi 6.3
Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway 2.3 mi 5.2
Perry G Keithley Middle School Tacoma 2.3 mi 5.0
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma 1.9 mi 8.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spanaway Middle School has a median household income of $90,063. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $413,200, with a median rent of $1,721/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. 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
Madison Middle School Seattle, WA 7.2
Timberline Middle School Redmond, WA 7.2
Evergreen Middle School Redmond, WA 7.3
Narrows View Intermediate University Pla, WA 7.3
Pine Lake Middle School Sammamish, WA 7.3
Eckstein Middle School Seattle, WA 7.1

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 is ranked #664 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Spanaway Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spanaway Middle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Spanaway Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spanaway Middle School has 38.5% math proficiency and 46.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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