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Below Average

#1877 of 2,225 schools in WA

Thomas Middle School

Middle School · Clover Park School District

11509 Holden Rd SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

Enrollment

980

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lakewood

#14 of 18

public schools

Washington middle schools

#285 of 374

In district

#21 of 25

Clover Park School District

About Thomas Middle School

Thomas Middle School serves 980 students in grades 6-8 in Lakewood, Washington, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1 and 52 full-time equivalent teachers. Located on Holden Road SW, this public middle school has room for academic growth, currently ranking in the 29th percentile among Washington state middle schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. The school's academic performance shows 44% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels, indicating opportunities for continued educational development and support.

With nearly 1,000 students, Thomas Middle School represents one of the larger middle school communities in the area, providing a substantial peer environment for students during these formative years. The school serves families in the 98498 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $84,878 and median home values reach $427,600. The surrounding community of 28,256 residents includes 31% with bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 7.6%.

Thomas Middle School sits within Lakewood's small city setting in Pierce County, offering students a suburban educational environment with access to the greater Tacoma metropolitan area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.8%
Math vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment5.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,376

Thomas Middle School — Students at Thomas Middle School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.2%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 41.3%
School
State
49.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
33%
ELA
56%
2022
ELA
44%
2024
Math
20.7%
ELA
37%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.

How Thomas Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
16th percentile in WA
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

Location

11509 Holden Rd SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Beachwood Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Jblm Lewis North), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meriwether Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Jblm Lewis North), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cherrydale Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Steilacoom), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lakewood, see our Lakewood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Re-Entry High School Lakewood 0.0 mi
Lake Louise Elementary School Lakewood 0.3 mi 7.5
LAKEWOOD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakewood 0.3 mi 6.4
Lakes High School Lakewood 0.8 mi 4.4
Alfaretta House Lakewood 0.8 mi
Idlewild Elementary School Lakewood 1.0 mi 3.7
Cherrydale Elementary Steilacoom 1.3 mi 8.3
Oak Grove Lakewood 1.9 mi
Steilacoom High Steilacoom 1.8 mi 3.9
Firwood Steilacoom 1.9 mi 6.9
Transition Day Students Lakewood 1.9 mi
Oakridge Group Home Lakewood 1.9 mi
Meriwether Elementary School Jblm Lewis North 1.7 mi 8.6
Tillicum Elementary School Lakewood 2.1 mi 6.5
Developmental Preschool Steilacoom 1.9 mi 6.0
Oakbrook Elementary School Lakewood 2.4 mi 6.1
Custer Elementary School Lakewood 2.2 mi 7.8
Hudtloff Middle School Lakewood 2.4 mi 3.6
Beachwood Elementary School Jblm Lewis North 2.5 mi 9.0
Evergreen Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main 2.8 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98498 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,382

Median Home Value

$458,200

Median Rent

$1,604/mo

Population

28,940

College Educated

29.3%

Homeownership

61.4%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

41.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thomas Middle School has a median household income of $88,382. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $458,200, with a median rent of $1,604/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. 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
Albert Einstein Middle School Shoreline, WA 4.7
Alki Middle School Vancouver, WA 4.7
Cascade Middle School Seattle, WA 4.7
Cheney Middle School Cheney, WA 4.7
Park Place Middle School Monroe, WA 4.7
Salk Middle School Spokane, WA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Middle School

What grades does Thomas Middle School serve?

Thomas Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Thomas Middle School?

Thomas Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 980 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Middle School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Middle School rank in WA?

Thomas Middle School is ranked #1877 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Thomas Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Middle School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Thomas Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Middle School has 23.2% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thomas Middle School a charter school?

No, Thomas Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thomas Middle School a Title I school?

No, Thomas Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Middle School?

73.9% of students at Thomas 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,289/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
980
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Pierce County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clover Park School District
District Enrollment
12,395
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,263
District Rank
#21 of 25

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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