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Average

#1212 of 2,225 schools in WA

Yelm Middle School

Middle School · Yelm School District

PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597

Enrollment

683

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Yelm

#6 of 10

public schools

Washington middle schools

#133 of 374

In district

#6 of 10

Yelm School District

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Yelm Middle School

Yelm Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. Located in the town of Yelm, which sits on the fringe of an urban area in Thurston County, Washington, the school offers a robust educational experience to its 683 students with a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1. The dedicated faculty includes 35 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support and engage each student.

Academically, Yelm Middle School ranks at the 52nd percentile among Washington state schools, reflecting room for improvement in certain areas but also highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance student performance. Test scores show that 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while Math and Science proficiency rates stand at 40% and 36%, respectively. The school aims to foster a learning environment focused on student development and academic growth.

Yelm Middle School is situated in the heart of Yelm, offering a supportive community setting for its students as they navigate middle school.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.1%
Math vs. State Avg-0.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,437

Yelm Middle School — Students at Yelm Middle School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 39.7%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 48.1%
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
46%
ELA
54%
2022
ELA
46%
2024
Math
38.1%
ELA
47.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.

How Yelm Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
46th percentile in WA
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Yelm Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ridgeline Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Rainier Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Rainier), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Pioneer Middle (rated 5.0/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Dupont), a more accessible option. For more schools in Yelm, see our Yelm schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Yelm Extension School Yelm 0.2 mi 4.8
Mill Pond Elementary School Yelm 0.8 mi 8.5
Ridgeline Middle School Yelm 0.8 mi 6.5
Yelm High School 12 Yelm 0.8 mi 6.0
Fort Stevens Elementary Yelm 1.0 mi 7.9
Yelm Prairie Elementary Yelm 1.6 mi 6.7
Southworth Elementary Yelm 2.3 mi 5.9
EAGLE VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yelm 3.3 mi 5.9
McKenna Elementary Yelm 2.6 mi 6.6
Roy Elementary Roy 5.1 mi 6.5
Rainier Middle School Rainier 5.5 mi 5.6
Rainier Senior High School Rainier 5.6 mi 5.2
Rainier Elementary School Rainier 5.8 mi 8.7
Rainier Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main 9.6 mi 6.1
Lackamas Elementary Yelm 8.7 mi 5.0
Wa He Lut Indian School Olympia 9.6 mi 8.1
Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont 10.6 mi 8.7
Pioneer Middle Dupont 10.9 mi 5.0
Hillside Elementary School Jblm Lewis Main 11.1 mi 4.8
Meadows Elementary Lacey 9.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98597 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,120

Median Home Value

$423,200

Median Rent

$1,441/mo

Population

26,431

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

80.4%

Avg Commute

36.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

36.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Yelm Middle School has a median household income of $92,120. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $423,200, with a median rent of $1,441/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Leona Libby Middle School West Richland, WA 6.2
Meeker Middle School Tacoma, WA 6.2
Rochester Middle School Rochester, WA 6.2
Sacajawea Middle School Federal Way, WA 6.2
Tolt Middle School Carnation, WA 6.2
Woodland Middle School Woodland, WA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Yelm Middle School

What grades does Yelm Middle School serve?

Yelm Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Yelm Middle School?

Yelm Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 683 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Yelm Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Yelm Middle School is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Yelm Middle School rank in WA?

Yelm Middle School is ranked #1212 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Yelm Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Yelm Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Yelm Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Yelm Middle School has 39.7% math proficiency and 48.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Yelm Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Yelm Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

52.9% of students at Yelm 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 (2,153/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
683
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Thurston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Yelm School District
District Enrollment
5,738
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,820
District Rank
#6 of 10

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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