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
Enrollment
980
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thomas Middle School — Students at Thomas Middle School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.9%
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: 4.3/10.
How Thomas Middle School Compares
See how Thomas Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 20.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 36.8% (2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (253) 583-5440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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