Average
#1681 of 2,228 schools in WA
Sylvester Middle School
Middle School · Highline School District
16222 Sylvester Road SW, Burien, WA 98166
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,681 of 2,228
In Burien
#5 of 11
public schools
In district
#16 of 34
Highline School District
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Sylvester Middle School
Middle School in Burien · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Three Tree Montessori School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sylvester Middle School
Sylvester Middle School is a public middle school in Burien, WA, part of Highline School District. Sylvester Middle School serves approximately 548 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Sylvester Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,681 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Sylvester Middle School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 4.3
- WA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Sylvester Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
43% of students at Sylvester 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
Sylvester Middle School — Students at Sylvester Middle School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 34 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: 6.1/10.
How Sylvester Middle School Compares
See how Sylvester 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
16222 Sylvester Road SW, Burien, WA 98166
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sylvester Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Hill Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gregory Heights Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THREE TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burien, see our Burien schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THREE TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Burien | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy Burien | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Highline High School Burien | 0.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Gregory Heights Elementary Burien | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Seahurst Elementary School Burien | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Burien | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Big Picture School Burien | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| GLENDALE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Burien | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| CHOICE Academy Seattle | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Highline Home School Center Burien | 1.6 mi | — |
| Hazel Valley Elementary Burien | 1.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Cedarhurst Elementary Burien | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Burien | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Marvista Elementary Normandy Park | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| North Hill Elementary Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Maritime High School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Highline Open Doors 1418 Burien | 2.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Evergreen High School Seattle | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Cascade Middle School Seattle | 3.1 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98166 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$112,191
Median Home Value
$785,700
Median Rent
$1,739/mo
Population
22,001
College Educated
45.5%
Homeownership
66.6%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
43.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Daybreak Middle Battle Ground, WA | 5.1 |
| Edgemont Jr High Edgewood, WA | 5.1 |
| Glover Middle School Spokane, WA | 5.1 |
| Highland Middle School Bellevue, WA | 5.1 |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham, WA | 5.1 |
| Sierra Vista Middle School Sunnyside, WA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sylvester Middle School
What grades does Sylvester Middle School serve?
Sylvester Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Sylvester Middle School?
Sylvester Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 548 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sylvester Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sylvester Middle School is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sylvester Middle School rank in WA?
Sylvester Middle School ranks #1,681 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Sylvester Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sylvester Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Sylvester Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sylvester Middle School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Sylvester Middle School a charter school?
No, Sylvester Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sylvester Middle School a Title I school?
No, Sylvester Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sylvester Middle School?
51.6% of students at Sylvester 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 548
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.9%
- Phone
- (206) 631-6000
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #16 of 34
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