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Average

#1053 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 47% in state

Vera Risdon Middle School

Middle School · Renton School District

6928 116th Ave SE, Newcastle, WA 98056

Enrollment

761

Student-Teacher

21.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,053 of 2,228

In Newcastle

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#9 of 27

Renton School District

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Vera Risdon Middle School

6.5/10

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

Hazelwood Elementary School

8.8/10

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

Newport Heights Elementary

8.9/10

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

About Vera Risdon Middle School

Vera Risdon Middle School is a public middle school in Newcastle, WA, part of Renton School District. Vera Risdon Middle School serves approximately 761 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Vera Risdon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,053 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Vera Risdon Middle School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Vera Risdon Middle School runs 21.7:1 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.

30% of students at Vera Risdon 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 Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change-1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.9% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,241
Chronic Absenteeism30.1%

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 48.0% (multi-year average, 2017-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 55.2% (multi-year average, 2017-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 18 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2017
Math
50%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
38.4%
ELA
49%
2024
Math
46.9%
ELA
54%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.

How Vera Risdon Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in WA
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.1%

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 9.3/10, 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 8.8
Newport Heights Elementary Bellevue 1.0 mi 8.9
NEW LIFE MONTESSORI Newcastle 0.8 mi
Kennydale Elementary School Renton 1.7 mi 7.3
Newcastle Elementary School Newcastle 1.5 mi 9.0
Newport Senior High School Bellevue 1.9 mi 8.6
ST MADELEINE SOPHIE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellevue 2.0 mi 7.5
Sierra Heights Elementary School Renton 2.0 mi 5.1
Meadow Crest Early Childhood Education Center Renton 2.3 mi 5.3
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 9.3
Island Park Elementary Mercer Island 2.0 mi 9.7
UNITED SEATTLE&BELLEVUE KOREAN SCH BELLEVUE CAMPUS Bellevue 2.6 mi 3.1
Tyee Middle School Bellevue 2.6 mi 9.3
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Baker Middle School Tacoma, WA 6.5
Franklin Middle School Yakima, WA 6.5
Greenacres Middle School Spokane Valley, WA 6.5
Ridgeline Middle School Yelm, WA 6.5
Thurgood Marshall Middle School Olympia, WA 6.5
Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham, WA 6.6

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 ranks #1,053 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Vera Risdon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vera Risdon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Vera Risdon Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Vera Risdon Middle School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2024).

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

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.1%

District

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

How we rate schools

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