Skip to main content

Average

#1259 of 2,225 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

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tacoma

#54 of 83

public schools

Washington middle schools

#146 of 374

In district

#42 of 62

Tacoma School District

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Truman Middle School

Truman Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Tacoma, Washington. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, Truman has an enrollment of 417 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1. The school offers a supportive learning environment with 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the academic and social development of its middle schoolers.

Truman Middle School's MySchoolScout rating is 5.3 out of 10, placing it in the 48th percentile among Washington state schools. Academically, students perform at a moderate level with 47% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 33% proficient or above in Math. In Science, 34% are proficient or above.

While these scores indicate room for improvement, Truman focuses on nurturing student development through various programs and support systems. Set in the heart of a mid-size city, Truman Middle School is part of a vibrant community that offers many opportunities beyond its classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Truman Middle School is 20.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44%
Math vs. State Avg-6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,575

Truman Middle School — Students at Truman Middle School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

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 33.4%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 46.7%
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
36%
ELA
51%
2022
ELA
53%
2024
Math
32.8%
ELA
44.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.

How Truman Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
44th percentile in WA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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 5.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wainwright Intermediate School (rated 5.5/10, 2.7 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 8.6
Downing Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 9.1
Skyline Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 4.5
Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma 0.9 mi 4.9
Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma 0.9 mi 4.5
Tacoma Online High School Tacoma 0.9 mi
Sherman Elementary School Tacoma 0.8 mi 7.5
Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma 1.4 mi 4.1
Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center Tacoma 1.7 mi 6.7
Mason Middle School Tacoma 1.2 mi 5.6
Science and Math Institute Tacoma 1.7 mi 6.6
Jefferson Elementary School Tacoma 1.6 mi 8.4
The School at Pearl Youth Residence Tacoma 1.9 mi
Washington Elementary School Tacoma 1.4 mi 8.7
Hunt Middle School Tacoma 2.0 mi 7.6
Geiger Montessori School Tacoma 2.1 mi 7.9
Delong Elementary School Tacoma 2.3 mi 8.5
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tacoma 2.4 mi 5.4
Wainwright Intermediate School Tacoma 2.7 mi 5.5
Foss High School Tacoma 2.9 mi 6.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Truman Middle School has a median household income of $108,905. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $613,000, with a median rent of $1,847/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Daybreak Middle Battle Ground, WA 6.1
First Creek Middle School Tacoma, WA 6.1
Forks Middle School Forks, WA 6.1
Glover Middle School Spokane, WA 6.1
Hockinson Middle School Brush Prairie, WA 6.1
McClure Middle School Seattle, WA 6.1

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 is ranked #1259 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Truman Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Truman Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Truman Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Truman Middle School has 33.4% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (6,715/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

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.