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Average

#1153 of 2,225 schools in WA

Vera Risdon Middle School

Middle School · Renton School District

6928 116th Ave SE, Newcastle, WA 98056

Enrollment

761

Student-Teacher

21.7:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newcastle

#3 of 3

public schools

Washington middle schools

#124 of 374

In district

#13 of 27

Renton School District

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Vera Risdon Middle School

Vera Risdon Middle School serves grades 6–8 in Newcastle, Washington, with an enrollment of 761 students. As a regular public middle school in a large suburban setting, it maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.7:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Vera Risdon ranks in the 66th percentile among Washington state schools, placing it #763 out of 2261 schools statewide with a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.4/10.

The school's academic performance shows areas of strength and opportunity across core subjects. In English Language Arts and Reading, 54% of students scored proficient or above, while 48% met proficiency benchmarks in math. Science proficiency came in at 41% across the school's grade levels, indicating room for growth in this subject area.

The school's middle-range performance suggests a diverse student body working toward academic development. With nearly 800 students, Vera Risdon offers the resources and class sizes typical of established suburban middle schools in the King County area. The Newcastle location provides families with a well-developed community setting with access to typical suburban amenities and services.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Vera Risdon Middle School is 21.7:1, 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 Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.51 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54%
Math vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,354

Vera Risdon Middle School — Students at Vera Risdon Middle School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 54.3%
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
54%
ELA
61%
2022
ELA
49%
2024
Math
46.9%
ELA
54%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.

How Vera Risdon Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in WA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

6928 116th Ave SE, Newcastle, WA 98056

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vera Risdon Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Tyee Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Bellevue), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McKnight Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Renton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Newcastle, see our Newcastle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hazelwood Elementary School Newcastle 0.2 mi 9.2
Newport Heights Elementary Bellevue 1.0 mi 8.5
NEW LIFE MONTESSORI Newcastle 0.8 mi
Kennydale Elementary School Renton 1.7 mi 6.7
Newcastle Elementary School Newcastle 1.5 mi 9.2
Newport Senior High School Bellevue 1.9 mi 8.0
ST MADELEINE SOPHIE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellevue 2.0 mi 7.5
Sierra Heights Elementary School Renton 2.0 mi 5.9
Meadow Crest Early Childhood Education Center Renton 2.3 mi 5.2
NEWPORT CHILDREN'S SCHOOL, INC. Bellevue 2.1 mi 7.6
Griffin Home Renton 2.1 mi
FOREST RIDGE SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Bellevue 1.8 mi 8.4
McKnight Middle School Renton 2.4 mi 5.6
NORTHWEST YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL Mercer Island 2.0 mi 6.9
Somerset Elementary School Bellevue 2.2 mi 8.2
Island Park Elementary Mercer Island 2.0 mi 9.2
UNITED SEATTLE&BELLEVUE KOREAN SCH BELLEVUE CAMPUS Bellevue 2.6 mi 3.1
Tyee Middle School Bellevue 2.6 mi 7.9
FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PUGET SOUND Mercer Island 2.7 mi 7.8
YELLOW WOOD ACADEMY Mercer Island 2.7 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98056 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,596

Median Home Value

$726,300

Median Rent

$1,992/mo

Population

36,872

College Educated

44.1%

Homeownership

55%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vera Risdon Middle School has a median household income of $108,596. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $726,300, with a median rent of $1,992/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% 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
North Lake Middle School Lake Stevens, WA 6.3
Northshore Middle School Bothell, WA 6.3
Quincy Middle School Quincy, WA 6.3
Wapato Middle School Wapato, WA 6.3
Leona Libby Middle School West Richland, WA 6.2
Meeker Middle School Tacoma, WA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vera Risdon Middle School

What grades does Vera Risdon Middle School serve?

Vera Risdon Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Vera Risdon Middle School?

Vera Risdon Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 761 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vera Risdon Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vera Risdon Middle School is 21.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vera Risdon Middle School rank in WA?

Vera Risdon Middle School is ranked #1153 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Vera Risdon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vera Risdon Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Vera Risdon Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vera Risdon Middle School has 48.3% math proficiency and 54.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vera Risdon Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Vera Risdon Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

38.8% of students at Vera Risdon 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 (2,319/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
761
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Renton School District
District Enrollment
15,081
Schools in District
31
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,241
District Rank
#13 of 27

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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