Is Bethel Middle School a good school?

Bethel Middle School ranks 326 th of 535 Washington middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Bethel Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 668 students attended Bethel Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Bethel Middle School?

Students at Bethel Middle School are 33% White, 24% Two or more races, 24% Hispanic, 9% African American, 7% Pacific Islander, 3% Asian.

What high school do graduates of Bethel Middle School attend?

Students who attend Bethel Middle School usually go on to attend Bethel High School

Bethel Middle School

Summary:

Bethel Middle School is a public middle school located in Spanaway, Washington, serving grades 6-8 with a student population of 697. The school is part of the Bethel School District, which is ranked 141 out of 247 school districts in Washington and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Bethel Middle School has a more diverse student population compared to some nearby schools, with higher percentages of Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and multi-racial students. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by SBAC and WCAS test scores, is generally lower than the Bethel School District and the state of Washington averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (45.56%) and Math (29.43%) were below the district and state averages. The school's performance also varies significantly across different student subgroups, with Spanaway Middle School and Frontier Middle School, also in the Bethel School District, having higher academic proficiency rates and better statewide rankings.

Bethel Middle School's high percentage of students from low-income families, as indicated by the free and reduced-price lunch rates ranging from 62.62% to 67.58% over the past three school years, may be a contributing factor to the school's lower academic performance. The significant variations in performance across different student subgroups, such as Pacific Islander and Special Education students, suggest that the school may need to focus on addressing the specific needs of underperforming subgroups to improve overall academic achievement.

Detail:

Public 6-8

22201 38th Avenue East
Spanaway, WA 98387-6827

(253) 800-7200

District: Bethel School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
326^th of 535 Washington Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $16,822

Students who attend Bethel Middle School usually attend:

High:

Bethel High School

Feeder schools for Bethel Middle School:

Elementary:	North Star Elementary
	Shining Mountain Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 20.4

Number of students: 668

Racial breakdown:

White:

33.4%

Two or more races:

23.8%

Hispanic:

23.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 57.5%

See top rated Washington middle schools

Compare Bethel Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Bethel Middle School ranks worse than 60.9% of middle schools in Washington. It also ranks 5^th among 6 ranked middle schools in the Bethel School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.22. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Bethel Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (33.4%), two or more races (23.8%), Hispanic (23.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 57.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bethel Middle School is 20.4, which is the 2^nd best among 6 middle schools in the Bethel School District. (See more...)

Compare Bethel Middle School employs 32.6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bethel Middle School is $16,822. 4 middle schools in the Bethel School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Bethel Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Bethel Middle School 326^th of 535 Washington public middle schools. (See Bethel Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Multi-racial students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Military Connected students:

Male students:

African American students:

Hispanic students:

Pacific Islander students:

White students:

Bethel School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Bethel School District 141^st of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Bethel Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2004	44.39	246^th	421	41.6%
2005	33.28	307^th	425	27.8%
2006	33.34	329^th	449	26.7%
2007	39.34	300^th	463	35.2%
2008	43.69	275^th	466	41.0%
2009	39.23	306^th	476	35.7%
2010	42.57	292^nd	483	39.5%
2011	26.56	386^th	492	21.5%
2012	36.09	344^th	497	30.8%
2013	43.21	299^th	498	40.0%
2015	39.31	260^th	445	41.6%
2016	29.08	320^th	443	27.8%
2017	24.59	338^th	435	22.3%
2018	30.48	310^th	437	29.1%
2019	27.22	388^th	512	24.2%
2021	21.00	424^th	529	19.8%
2022	23.99	417^th	541	22.9%
2023	30.69	368^th	539	31.7%
2024	36.22	326^th	535	39.1%

See the entire list of Washington Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	30.57	124^th	166	25.3%
2019	23.40	200^th	246	18.7%
2021	31.75	179^th	250	28.4%
2022	27.21	196^th	257	23.7%
2023	28.91	181^st	244	25.8%
2024	28.69	181^st	243	25.5%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	37.82	149^th	268	44.4%
2019	17.90	218^th	231	5.6%
2021	19.92	196^th	210	6.7%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	34.42	240^th	349	31.2%
2019	42.18	263^rd	448	41.3%
2021	33.52	313^th	458	31.7%
2022	33.74	327^th	475	31.2%
2023	45.13	238^th	463	48.6%
2024	48.81	215^th	455	52.7%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	51.84	22^nd	59	62.7%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	31.10	265^th	376	29.5%
2019	24.87	361^st	452	20.1%
2021	23.03	372^nd	469	20.7%
2022	24.71	368^th	479	23.2%
2023	27.90	344^th	464	25.9%
2024	41.57	265^th	464	42.9%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2019	33.74	39^th	50	22.0%
2021	60.59	12^th	44	72.7%
2022	39.87	33^rd	51	35.3%
2023	23.83	37^th	40	7.5%
2024	36.02	34^th	46	26.1%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	27.86	269^th	371	27.5%
2019	30.29	324^th	453	28.5%
2021	19.75	386^th	476	18.9%
2022	22.51	384^th	480	20.0%
2023	32.65	317^th	470	32.6%
2024	29.93	323^rd	466	30.7%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	31.95	89^th	123	27.6%
2023	26.03	104^th	145	28.3%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	66.37	14^th	66	78.8%
2019	55.81	36^th	111	67.6%
2021	43.04	55^th	106	48.1%
2022	50.93	39^th	104	62.5%
2023	24.84	75^th	96	21.9%
2024	42.50	48^th	90	46.7%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	43.80	146^th	259	43.6%
2019	43.64	188^th	344	45.3%
2021	35.83	216^th	353	38.8%
2022	32.31	239^th	360	33.6%
2023	55.27	122^nd	336	63.7%
2024	48.64	158^th	344	54.1%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2019	95.11	2^nd	31	93.5%
2021	44.52	10^th	19	47.4%
2022	21.98	19^th	20	5.0%
2023	33.52	5^th	6	16.7%
2024	82.60	1^st	10	90.0%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Bethel Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	14.89	291^st	325	10.5%
2019	16.71	419^th	470	10.9%
2021	11.08	459^th	480	4.4%
2022	20.17	417^th	488	14.5%
2023	24.12	385^th	488	21.1%
2024	35.87	318^th	486	34.6%

See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Bethel Middle School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	742	18	34	17	18	n/a	n/a	0	829
1989	758	22	40	17	22	n/a	n/a	0	859
1990	815	33	41	13	28	n/a	n/a	0	930
1991	660	19	25	13	11	n/a	n/a	0	728
1992	720	14	21	12	19	n/a	n/a	0	786
1993	716	28	29	16	24	n/a	n/a	0	813
1994	692	38	49	37	38	n/a	n/a	0	854
1995	841	52	76	43	38	n/a	n/a	0	1050
1996	841	52	76	43	38	n/a	n/a	0	1050
1997	916	57	72	39	47	n/a	n/a	0	1131
1998	892	72	76	45	47	n/a	n/a	0	1132
1999	872	78	71	43	38	n/a	n/a	0	1102
2000	878	88	81	51	37	n/a	n/a	0	1135
2001	888	81	80	47	34	n/a	n/a	0	1130
2002	953	96	91	52	58	n/a	n/a	0	1250
2003	953	96	91	52	58	n/a	n/a	0	1250
2004	702	88	94	62	36	n/a	n/a	0	982
2005	611	99	91	57	34	n/a	n/a	0	892
2006	567	101	89	61	39	n/a	n/a	0	857
2007	555	92	99	69	38	n/a	n/a	0	853
2008	515	88	86	97	40	n/a	n/a	0	826
2009	532	92	83	87	39	n/a	n/a	0	833
2010	497	75	97	64	34	n/a	n/a	0	767
2011	343	72	55	56	16	7	7	0	556
2012	350	71	61	69	12	9	15	0	587
2013	243	46	30	53	5	16	16	0	409
2014	361	94	32	107	7	29	41	0	671
2015	351	74	36	117	11	25	53	0	667
2016	355	71	29	92	8	25	55	0	635
2017	342	48	30	120	10	38	69	0	657
2018	323	51	35	154	9	36	87	0	695
2019	316	52	28	170	5	41	118	3	733
2020	339	49	25	178	7	55	127	0	780
2021	262	47	17	174	7	56	114	1	678
2022	261	51	25	181	9	56	124	2	709
2023	244	54	25	181	9	57	124	3	697
2024	223	59	19	158	3	46	159	1	668

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bethel Middle School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	829	35.0	23.6	0
1989	859	39.0	22.0	n/a
1990	930	38.0	24.4	0
1991	728	35.0	20.8	n/a
1992	786	36.6	21.4	n/a
1993	813	35.6	22.8	n/a
1994	854	38.7	22.1	n/a
1995	1050	45.0	23.3	n/a
1996	1050	45.0	23.3	n/a
1997	1131	48.5	23.3	n/a
1998	1132	48.2	23.5	n/a
1999	1102	50.5	21.8	n/a
2000	1135	50.4	22.5	n/a
2001	1130	53.8	21.0	n/a
2002	1250	54.9	22.8	32.7
2003	1250	54.9	22.8	32.7
2004	982	45.0	21.8	34.1
2005	892	44.6	20.0	28.9
2006	857	39.0	22.0	30.8
2007	853	38.2	22.3	30.8
2008	826	37.8	21.9	32.8
2009	833	37.8	22.0	30.6
2010	767	35.6	21.5	36.1
2011	556	28.7	19.3	27.2
2012	587	27.2	21.5	49.7
2013	409	19.0	21.5	43.8
2014	671	n/a	n/a	54.4
2015	667	30.0	22.2	59.5
2016	635	31.0	20.4	52.6
2017	657	30.7	21.3	64.4
2018	695	33.3	20.8	55.7
2019	733	35.3	20.7	56.6
2020	780	38.4	20.3	61.4
2021	678	33.4	20.2	64.3
2022	709	36.8	19.2	62.6
2023	697	33.8	20.6	67.6
2024	668	32.6	20.4	57.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Bethel Middle School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	829	35.0	23.6	0
1989	859	39.0	22.0	n/a
1990	930	38.0	24.4	0
1991	728	35.0	20.8	n/a
1992	786	36.6	21.4	n/a
1993	813	35.6	22.8	n/a
1994	854	38.7	22.1	n/a
1995	1050	45.0	23.3	n/a
1996	1050	45.0	23.3	n/a
1997	1131	48.5	23.3	n/a
1998	1132	48.2	23.5	n/a
1999	1102	50.5	21.8	n/a
2000	1135	50.4	22.5	n/a
2001	1130	53.8	21.0	n/a
2002	1250	54.9	22.8	32.7
2003	1250	54.9	22.8	32.7
2004	982	45.0	21.8	34.1
2005	892	44.6	20.0	28.9
2006	857	39.0	22.0	30.8
2007	853	38.2	22.3	30.8
2008	826	37.8	21.9	32.8
2009	833	37.8	22.0	30.6
2010	767	35.6	21.5	36.1
2011	556	28.7	19.3	27.2
2012	587	27.2	21.5	49.7
2013	409	19.0	21.5	43.8
2014	671	n/a	n/a	54.4
2015	667	30.0	22.2	59.5
2016	635	31.0	20.4	52.6
2017	657	30.7	21.3	64.4
2018	695	33.3	20.8	55.7
2019	733	35.3	20.7	56.6
2020	780	38.4	20.3	61.4
2021	678	33.4	20.2	64.3
2022	709	36.8	19.2	62.6
2023	697	33.8	20.6	67.6
2024	668	32.6	20.4	57.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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