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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.9%
Math vs. State Avg+26.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.4 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,430

Whitman Middle School — Students at Whitman Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 78.7%
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
74%
ELA
82%
2022
ELA
75%
2024
Math
65.3%
ELA
78.8%

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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in WA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,803/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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