Average
#1538 of 2,225 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
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burien
#7 of 10
public schools
Washington middle schools
#206 of 374
In district
#20 of 34
Highline School District
About Sylvester Middle School
Sylvester Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Burien, Washington, nestled in a large suburban area. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 548 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. Sylvester Middle School offers a supportive learning environment that focuses on individual growth and development.
While the MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 places the school in the 31st percentile among Washington state schools, there is room for academic improvement. The academic score of 3.5/10 indicates areas where Sylvester Middle School can enhance its curriculum and support systems to help more students achieve proficiency. In specific subject areas, 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 27% in Math, and 44% in Science.
Sylvester Middle School is situated in an area that provides a variety of community resources for its students, offering a blend of suburban living with easy access to urban amenities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Sylvester Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
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 13 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: 6.6/10.
How Sylvester Middle School Compares
See how Sylvester Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 25.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 36.5% (2024).
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 8.2/10, 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, Marvista Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Normandy Park), 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 | 4.5 |
| Highline High School Burien | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Gregory Heights Elementary Burien | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Seahurst Elementary School Burien | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| GLENDALE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Burien | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| CHOICE Academy Seattle | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Highline Home School Center Burien | 1.6 mi | — |
| Hazel Valley Elementary Burien | 1.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Cedarhurst Elementary Burien | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Burien | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Marvista Elementary Normandy Park | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| North Hill Elementary Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Maritime High School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Highline Open Doors 1418 Burien | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Evergreen High School Seattle | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Cascade Middle School Seattle | 3.1 mi | 4.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sylvester Middle School has a median household income of $112,191. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $785,700, with a median rent of $1,739/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Meridian Middle School Lynden, WA | 5.5 |
| Showalter Middle School Tukwila, WA | 5.5 |
| Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma, WA | 5.5 |
| Drum Intermediate University Pla, WA | 5.6 |
| Edgemont Jr High Edgewood, WA | 5.4 |
| Elma Middle School Elma, WA | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #1538 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Sylvester Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sylvester Middle School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Sylvester Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sylvester Middle School has 27.4% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,853/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Burien). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (206) 631-6000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #20 of 34
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
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