Needs Improvement
#2117 of 2,225 schools in WA
Surprise Lake Middle School
Middle School · Fife School District
2001 Milton Way, Milton, WA 98354
Enrollment
667
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 7th
Enrollment
667
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Milton
#2 of 2
public schools
Washington middle schools
#345 of 374
In district
#6 of 6
Fife School District
About Surprise Lake Middle School
Surprise Lake Middle School in Milton, Washington is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six and seven. With an enrollment of 667 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.8:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention from its dedicated staff of 28 full-time teachers. The school's location in a large suburban area provides a comfortable setting for young adolescents to transition into middle school life.
Surprise Lake Middle School is ranked 1774 out of 2261 schools statewide, placing it in the 22nd percentile among Washington’s public schools. Academically, the school has room for improvement, with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 41% and a Math proficiency rate of 31%. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to supporting its students' development through various programs and resources.
Surprise Lake Middle School is situated in Milton, offering its students access to a suburban community that values education and offers a supportive environment for learning.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Surprise Lake Middle School is 23.8:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Surprise Lake Middle School — Students at Surprise Lake Middle School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 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: 4.0/10.
How Surprise Lake Middle School Compares
See how Surprise Lake Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 26.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 38.5% (2024).
Location
2001 Milton Way, Milton, WA 98354
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Surprise Lake Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Federal Way Public Academy (rated 7.5/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Federal Way), which scores notably higher. Another option is Illahee Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Federal Way), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edgemont Jr High (rated 5.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Edgewood), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Milton, see our Milton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery Primary School Milton | 0.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Northwood Elementary Edgewood | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| SALVATION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Edgewood | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Rainier View Elementary School Federal Way | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Edgemont Jr High Edgewood | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Hedden Elementary School Edgewood | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Todd Beamer High School Federal Way | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY Federal Way | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Lakeland Elementary School Auburn | 2.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Sequoyah Middle School Auburn | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Illahee Middle School Federal Way | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Mt View Elementary Edgewood | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Fife Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Fife Open Doors Tacoma | 2.1 mi | — |
| Federal Way Public Academy Federal Way | 3.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Fife High School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| HOLY ROSARY BILINGUAL ACADEMY Fife | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| HOLY ROSARY BILINGUAL ACADEMY Fife | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| E B Walker High School Puyallup | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Columbia Junior High School Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98354 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,361
Median Home Value
$510,900
Median Rent
$2,010/mo
Population
8,432
College Educated
23.3%
Homeownership
58.3%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Surprise Lake Middle School has a median household income of $90,361. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $510,900, with a median rent of $2,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Eastmont Junior High East Wenatchee, WA | 3.8 |
| Central Kitsap Middle School Silverdale, WA | 3.7 |
| Thunder Mountain Middle School Enumclaw, WA | 3.7 |
| Horse Heaven Hills Middle School Kennewick, WA | 3.9 |
| Marysville Middle School Marysville, WA | 3.9 |
| Harbour Pointe Middle School Mukilteo, WA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Surprise Lake Middle School
What grades does Surprise Lake Middle School serve?
Surprise Lake Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 7th.
How many students attend Surprise Lake Middle School?
Surprise Lake Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 667 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Surprise Lake Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Surprise Lake Middle School is 23.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Surprise Lake Middle School rank in WA?
Surprise Lake Middle School is ranked #2117 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Surprise Lake Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Surprise Lake Middle School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Surprise Lake Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Surprise Lake Middle School has 30.9% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Surprise Lake Middle School a charter school?
No, Surprise Lake Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Surprise Lake Middle School a Title I school?
No, Surprise Lake Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Surprise Lake Middle School?
56.8% of students at Surprise Lake 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,015/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 7th
- Enrollment
- 667
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Phone
- (253) 517-1300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fife School District- District Enrollment
- 3,916
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,662
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.