Very Good
#609 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 27% in state
Whitman Middle School
Middle School · Seattle School District No. 1
9201 15 AV NW, Seattle, WA 98117
Enrollment
660
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
660
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seattle
#51 of 89
public schools
Washington middle schools
#37 of 374
In district
#60 of 106
Seattle School District No. 1
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Whitman Middle School
Whitman Middle School serves 660 students in grades 6-8 in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, earning recognition as one of Washington's higher-performing middle schools. With a ranking of 419th out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile, Whitman demonstrates strong academic achievement that reflects its community's educational values. The school's 32 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1, supporting students across the middle school years.
Academic performance is particularly noteworthy in English Language Arts and Reading, where 75% of students achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels. This strong literacy foundation serves students well as they prepare for high school. Whitman's success aligns with its surrounding community characteristics in the 98117 ZIP code area.
The neighborhood shows high educational attainment, with 72% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with a median household income of $166,029 and a low poverty rate of just 4.5%. The area's median home value of $957,700 reflects the desirability of this Seattle location. Located in the vibrant Ballard area of Seattle, Whitman Middle School sits within a well-established urban community that values education and provides a supportive environment for student learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Whitman Middle School is 20.6:1, 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
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Whitman Middle School — Students at Whitman Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.9%
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: 7.6/10.
How Whitman Middle School Compares
See how Whitman Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 65.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 78.9% (2024).
Location
9201 15 AV NW, Seattle, WA 98117
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whitman Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Whittier Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Viewlands Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Broadview-Thomson K-8 School (rated 9.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Beach Elementary School Seattle | 0.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Whittier Elementary School Seattle | 0.9 mi | 9.5 |
| Loyal Heights Elementary School Seattle | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Viewlands Elementary School Seattle | 1.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Seattle | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Ballard High School Seattle | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Salmon Bay K-8 School Seattle | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| MATHEIA SCHOOL Seattle | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| NORTH SEATTLE FRENCH SCHOOL Seattle | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| SEATTLE AREA GERMAN AMERICAN SCHOOL Seattle | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| ST ALPHONSUS SCHOOL Seattle | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Licton Springs K-8 Seattle | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Adams Elementary School Seattle | 1.8 mi | 9.0 |
| CHRIST THE KING PARISH SCHOOL Seattle | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| West Woodland Elementary School Seattle | 2.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Broadview-Thomson K-8 School Seattle | 2.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Seattle | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Daniel Bagley Elementary School Seattle | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| PACIFIC CREST SCHOOL Seattle | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98117 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$182,500
Median Home Value
$1,028,100
Median Rent
$2,197/mo
Population
35,147
College Educated
74.8%
Homeownership
70.7%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
39.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whitman Middle School has a median household income of $182,500. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,028,100, with a median rent of $2,197/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedar Heights Middle School Port Orchard, WA | 7.4 |
| Chief Kanim Middle School Fall City, WA | 7.4 |
| Kamiakin Middle School Kirkland, WA | 7.4 |
| Meridian Middle School Kent, WA | 7.4 |
| Fairhaven Middle School Bellingham, WA | 7.5 |
| Lake Stevens Middle School Lake Stevens, WA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whitman Middle School
What grades does Whitman Middle School serve?
Whitman Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Whitman Middle School?
Whitman Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 660 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitman Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Whitman Middle School is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whitman Middle School rank in WA?
Whitman Middle School is ranked #609 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Whitman Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whitman Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Whitman Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitman Middle School has 67.0% math proficiency and 78.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whitman Middle School a charter school?
No, Whitman Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whitman Middle School a Title I school?
No, Whitman Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whitman Middle School?
15.9% of students at Whitman 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 660
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 252-1200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Seattle School District No. 1- District Enrollment
- 50,770
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,806
- District Rank
- #60 of 106
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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