Skip to main content

Average

#1439 of 2,228 schools in WA

Truman Middle School

Middle School · Tacoma School District

5801 N 35th St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Enrollment

417

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,439 of 2,228

In Tacoma

#54 of 88

public schools

In district

#41 of 62

Tacoma School District

Academic growth

7.0 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Truman 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.

Truman Middle School

5.7/10

Middle School in Tacoma · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Point Defiance Elementary School

9.2/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Downing Elementary School

9.0/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Truman Middle School

Truman Middle School is a public middle school in Tacoma, WA, part of Tacoma School District. Truman Middle School serves approximately 417 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Truman Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,439 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Truman Middle School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Truman Middle School runs 20.9:1 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.

37% of students at Truman 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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.6% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,679
Chronic Absenteeism37.2%

Truman Middle School — Students at Truman Middle School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 53.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
42%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
48%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
53%
2024
Math
32.8%
ELA
44.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.

How Truman Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in WA
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5801 N 35th St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Truman Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hunt Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mason Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tacoma Online Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tacoma, see our Tacoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Point Defiance Elementary School Tacoma 0.7 mi 9.2
Downing Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 9.0
Skyline Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 5.9
Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 5.0
Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma 0.9 mi 4.9
Tacoma Online High School Tacoma 0.9 mi
Sherman Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 8.9
Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma 1.4 mi 3.2
Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma 1.7 mi 8.7
Mason Middle School Tacoma 1.2 mi 7.1
Science and Math Institute Tacoma 1.7 mi 6.7
Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma 1.6 mi 9.2
The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma 1.9 mi
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 1.4 mi 8.2
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 2.0 mi 7.6
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 2.1 mi 8.4
Delong Elementary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 6.3
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 2.4 mi 5.3
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 2.7 mi 4.5
Foss High School Tacoma 2.9 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98407 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,905

Median Home Value

$613,000

Median Rent

$1,847/mo

Population

21,210

College Educated

50.1%

Homeownership

65.4%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

47

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Centralia Middle School Centralia, WA 5.7
Endeavor Middle School Moses Lake, WA 5.7
Thunder Mountain Middle School Enumclaw, WA 5.7
Denny Yasuhara Middle School Spokane, WA 5.8
First Creek Middle School Tacoma, WA 5.8
Huntington Middle School Kelso, WA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Truman Middle School

What grades does Truman Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Truman Middle School?

Truman Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 417 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Truman Middle School is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Truman Middle School rank in WA?

Truman Middle School ranks #1,439 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Truman Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Truman Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Truman Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Truman Middle School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Truman Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Truman Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

51.1% of students at Truman 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pierce County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.2%

District

Tacoma School District
District Enrollment
28,272
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,679
District Rank
#41 of 62

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 rate

Related 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.