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
Enrollment
761
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Vera Risdon Middle School — Students at Vera Risdon Middle School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.8%
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: 7.2/10.
How Vera Risdon Middle School Compares
See how Vera Risdon Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 46.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 54% (2024).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (425) 204-2700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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