Average
#1623 of 2,228 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
5.2
Grades
6th – 7th
Enrollment
667
Student-Teacher
23.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 7th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,623 of 2,228
In Milton
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#6 of 6
Fife School District
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Surprise Lake Middle School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Surprise Lake Middle School
Middle School in Milton · grades 6th – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Discovery Primary School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Northwood Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Surprise Lake Middle School
Surprise Lake Middle School is a public middle school in Milton, WA, part of Fife School District. Surprise Lake Middle School serves approximately 667 students, and covers grades 6th-7th, and has a 23.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Surprise Lake Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,623 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Surprise Lake Middle School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- WA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
Surprise Lake Middle School runs 23.8:1 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.
30% of students at Surprise Lake 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 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 28 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.
How Surprise Lake Middle School Compares
See how Surprise Lake Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.1/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Federal Way), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edgemont Jr High (rated 5.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Edgewood), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sequoyah Middle School (rated 3.6/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Auburn), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.3 |
| SALVATION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Edgewood | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Rainier View Elementary School Federal Way | 1.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Edgemont Jr High Edgewood | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Hedden Elementary School Edgewood | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Todd Beamer High School Federal Way | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT SPRING VALLEY Federal Way | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Lakeland Elementary School Auburn | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Sequoyah Middle School Auburn | 2.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Illahee Middle School Federal Way | 2.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Mt View Elementary Edgewood | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Fife Elementary School Tacoma | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Fife Open Doors Tacoma | 2.1 mi | — |
| Federal Way Public Academy Federal Way | 3.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Fife High School Tacoma | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| Columbia Junior High School Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Showalter Middle School Tukwila, WA | 5.2 |
| Bethel Middle School Spanaway, WA | 5.3 |
| Cascade Middle School Auburn, WA | 5.3 |
| Chief Joseph Middle School Richland, WA | 5.3 |
| Explorer Middle School Everett, WA | 5.3 |
| Hawkins Middle School Belfair, WA | 5.3 |
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 ranks #1,623 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Surprise Lake Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Surprise Lake Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Surprise Lake Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Surprise Lake Middle School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.3%
- Phone
- (253) 517-1300
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
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.