Meridian Middle School

Summary:

Meridian Middle School is a public middle school located in Kent, Washington, serving around 560 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Kent School District, which is ranked 145 out of 247 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Meridian Middle School has a diverse student population, with significant representation of Asian (29.29%), Hispanic (25.71%), and African American (14.82%) students. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by SBAC and WCAS test scores, is generally lower than the state and district averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (54.86%) and Math (32.07%) were below the state averages of 52.63% and 41.68%, respectively. The school's performance varies across different student subgroups, with Asian and African American students performing better than Hispanic and White students. Compared to nearby schools in the Kent School District, such as Cascade Middle School and Nelsen Middle School, Meridian Middle School generally performs worse academically.

Meridian Middle School faces several challenges, including declining statewide rankings, achievement gaps among student subgroups, and high poverty rates, with 69.46% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. The school's per-student spending has fluctuated over the years, ranging from $10,303 in 2019-2020 to $18,663 in 2021-2022, but it is generally higher than the state average. Addressing these issues will require targeted interventions, additional resources, and a focus on equity to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 23480 120th Ave SE
       Kent, WA  98031-3612


(253) 373-7383

District: Kent School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
239th of 535 Washington Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,663 Help


Students who attend Meridian Middle School usually attend:

High:    Kentwood High School

Feeder schools for Meridian Middle School:

Elementary:    Martin Sortun Elementary School
    Park Orchard Elementary School
    Sunrise Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.1 Help
Number of students:  560

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
29.3%
Hispanic:
25.7%
White:
18.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  69.5% Help


 See top rated Washington middle schools

 Compare Meridian Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Meridian Middle School ranks better than 55.3% of middle schools in Washington. It also ranks 2nd among 6 ranked middle schools in the Kent School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 51.19. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Meridian Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Asian (29.3%), Hispanic (25.7%), White (18.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 69.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Meridian Middle School is 17.1, which is the 2nd best among 6 middle schools in the Kent School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Meridian Middle School employs 32.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Meridian Middle School is $18,663, which is the highest among 6 middle schools in the Kent School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Meridian Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Meridian Middle School 239th of 535 Washington public middle schools. (See Meridian Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Kent School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Kent School District 145th of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Meridian Middle School?

Rank History for Meridian Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 68.29 121st 421 71.3%
2005 55.54 192nd 425 54.8%
2006 55.23 190th 449 57.7%
2007 52.02 221st 463 52.3%
2008 53.47 210th 466 54.9%
2009 53.60 211th 476 55.7%
2010 49.02 249th 483 48.4%
2011 44.43 291st 492 40.9%
2012 47.93 262nd 497 47.3%
2013 43.95 288th 498 42.2%
2015 52.48 201st 445 54.8%
2016 48.13 224th 443 49.4%
2017 49.34 225th 435 48.3%
2018 41.46 253rd 437 42.1%
2019 33.63 350th 512 31.6%
2021 37.73 325th 529 38.6%
2022 39.98 308th 541 43.1%
2023 31.48 365th 539 32.3%
2024 51.19 239th 535 55.3%
See the entire list of Washington Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.65 121st 166 27.1%
2019 37.36 159th 246 35.4%
2021 26.57 190th 250 24.0%
2022 40.68 146th 257 43.2%
2023 36.17 159th 244 34.8%
2024 40.38 145th 243 40.3%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.30 95th 135 29.6%
2019 22.30 80th 100 20.0%
2023 30.27 33rd 57 42.1%
2024 53.47 23rd 78 70.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 19.43 213th 231 7.8%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.96 213th 349 39.0%
2019 31.83 334th 448 25.4%
2021 39.75 271st 458 40.8%
2022 35.82 311th 475 34.5%
2023 38.66 282nd 463 39.1%
2024 69.32 99th 455 78.2%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.66 249th 376 33.8%
2019 35.31 303rd 452 33.0%
2021 45.71 237th 469 49.5%
2022 42.94 260th 479 45.7%
2023 33.74 306th 464 34.1%
2024 52.90 202nd 464 56.5%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.77 213th 371 42.6%
2019 30.70 319th 453 29.6%
2021 30.58 327th 476 31.3%
2022 35.67 299th 480 37.7%
2023 27.59 348th 470 26.0%
2024 48.70 221st 466 52.6%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.74 85th 123 30.9%
2019 26.75 124th 152 18.4%
2021 33.55 97th 149 34.9%
2022 34.89 102nd 161 36.6%
2023 29.03 100th 145 31.0%
2024 47.77 75th 148 49.3%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.95 45th 66 31.8%
2019 34.51 75th 111 32.4%
2021 51.48 43rd 106 59.4%
2022 41.75 56th 104 46.2%
2023 31.58 65th 96 32.3%
2024 49.38 39th 90 56.7%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.25 183rd 259 29.3%
2019 15.67 319th 344 7.3%
2021 29.40 241st 353 31.7%
2022 35.14 232nd 360 35.6%
2023 26.86 250th 336 25.6%
2024 46.83 165th 344 52.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Pacific Islander students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.30 2nd 11 81.8%
2022 76.98 4th 20 80.0%
See the entire list of Best Washington Middle Schools for Pacific Islander Students!

Rank History for White students at Meridian Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools WA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.15 168th 325 48.3%
2019 55.51 197th 470 58.1%
2021 41.33 278th 480 42.1%
2022 41.35 284th 488 41.8%
2023 31.49 344th 488 29.5%
2024 39.30 295th 486 39.3%
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.

Meridian Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Review counts

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100%

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Meridian Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 637 19 74 15 18 n/a n/a 0 763
1989 627 30 71 13 17 n/a n/a 0 758
1990 653 42 77 15 14 n/a n/a 0 801
1991 655 44 87 22 10 n/a n/a 0 818
1992 683 52 97 24 8 n/a n/a 0 864
1993 756 58 113 25 9 n/a n/a 0 961
1994 754 43 104 25 12 n/a n/a 0 938
1995 766 42 135 26 8 n/a n/a 0 977
1996 766 42 135 26 8 n/a n/a 0 977
1997 587 52 81 24 9 n/a n/a 0 753
1998 660 72 95 28 10 n/a n/a 0 865
1999 675 76 119 37 8 n/a n/a 0 915
2000 652 73 139 37 4 n/a n/a 0 905
2001 645 75 152 37 4 n/a n/a 0 913
2002 665 99 201 52 15 n/a n/a 0 1032
2003 665 99 201 52 15 n/a n/a 0 1032
2004 640 111 194 59 9 n/a n/a 0 1013
2005 452 106 168 63 10 n/a n/a 11 810
2006 389 64 143 53 9 n/a n/a 27 685
2007 332 61 148 68 5 n/a n/a 30 644
2008 290 91 178 81 9 n/a n/a 62 711
2009 271 87 200 84 8 n/a n/a 64 714
2010 248 85 182 96 10 n/a n/a 45 666
2011 215 82 162 137 5 15 40 0 656
2012 202 94 145 132 2 9 40 0 624
2013 184 101 163 137 4 19 44 0 652
2014 152 97 173 155 4 27 38 0 646
2015 165 101 189 149 6 29 43 0 682
2016 159 87 163 132 2 26 54 0 623
2017 148 83 156 130 1 22 54 0 594
2018 140 73 170 159 1 20 50 0 613
2019 133 74 161 131 1 15 41 0 556
2020 141 81 160 134 0 19 53 0 588
2021 110 91 174 151 0 25 52 0 603
2022 100 96 166 137 0 22 49 0 570
2023 104 83 164 144 0 15 49 1 560

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 Meridian Middle School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 763 38.0 20.0 0
1989 758 36.0 21.0 n/a
1990 801 35.6 22.5 0
1991 818 37.9 21.5 n/a
1992 864 38.9 22.2 n/a
1993 961 43.8 21.9 n/a
1994 938 40.6 23.1 n/a
1995 977 45.9 21.3 n/a
1996 977 45.9 21.3 n/a
1997 753 36.8 20.5 n/a
1998 865 39.6 21.8 n/a
1999 915 42.0 21.8 n/a
2000 905 44.6 20.3 n/a
2001 913 44.4 20.6 n/a
2002 1032 48.4 21.3 23
2003 1032 48.4 21.3 23
2004 1013 49.0 20.7 24.8
2005 810 49.4 16.4 38.5
2006 685 33.7 20.3 40.1
2007 644 31.9 20.2 38.8
2008 711 35.6 20.0 51.3
2009 714 35.6 20.1 51.8
2010 666 36.2 18.3 58
2011 656 33.9 19.3 32.8
2012 624 31.1 20.0 56.7
2013 652 29.8 21.8 52.6
2014 646 n/a n/a 60.5
2015 682 32.0 21.3 60.6
2016 623 33.0 18.8 58.4
2017 594 30.6 19.4 57.4
2018 613 31.2 19.6 60.2
2019 556 29.1 19.0 62.9
2020 588 30.2 19.4 56.3
2021 603 32.2 18.7 56.7
2022 570 34.6 16.4 59.5
2023 560 32.7 17.1 69.5

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 Meridian Middle School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 763 38.0 20.0 0
1989 758 36.0 21.0 n/a
1990 801 35.6 22.5 0
1991 818 37.9 21.5 n/a
1992 864 38.9 22.2 n/a
1993 961 43.8 21.9 n/a
1994 938 40.6 23.1 n/a
1995 977 45.9 21.3 n/a
1996 977 45.9 21.3 n/a
1997 753 36.8 20.5 n/a
1998 865 39.6 21.8 n/a
1999 915 42.0 21.8 n/a
2000 905 44.6 20.3 n/a
2001 913 44.4 20.6 n/a
2002 1032 48.4 21.3 23
2003 1032 48.4 21.3 23
2004 1013 49.0 20.7 24.8
2005 810 49.4 16.4 38.5
2006 685 33.7 20.3 40.1
2007 644 31.9 20.2 38.8
2008 711 35.6 20.0 51.3
2009 714 35.6 20.1 51.8
2010 666 36.2 18.3 58
2011 656 33.9 19.3 32.8
2012 624 31.1 20.0 56.7
2013 652 29.8 21.8 52.6
2014 646 n/a n/a 60.5
2015 682 32.0 21.3 60.6
2016 623 33.0 18.8 58.4
2017 594 30.6 19.4 57.4
2018 613 31.2 19.6 60.2
2019 556 29.1 19.0 62.9
2020 588 30.2 19.4 56.3
2021 603 32.2 18.7 56.7
2022 570 34.6 16.4 59.5
2023 560 32.7 17.1 69.5

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.

Immunization Rates

Meridian Middle School

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YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionPersonal ExemptionPolioDiphtheriaHepatitis BVaricellaMMRPertussis
201996.5%0.5%0.2%1.4%98.8%98.1%99.5%98.4%98.6%98.1%

Data source: Washington State Department of Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Meridian Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $356 (2.3%) $14,958 (97.7%) $15,314
2020 n/a $10,303 (100.0%) $10,303
2021 $335 (2.1%) $15,798 (97.9%) $16,133
2022 $369 (2.0%) $18,294 (98.0%) $18,663

Data source: Washington Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Meridian Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 350th of 512 Middle schoolsRanks 365th of 539 Middle schools
 0.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Meridian Middle School)57.943
 14.9%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Kent School District)56.149.1
 7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)6252.1
 9.9%
7th Grade Math (Meridian Middle School)4331.3
 11.6%
   7th Grade Math (Kent School District)42.235.2
 7%
   7th Grade Math (Washington)49.938.6
 11.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Meridian Middle School)48.541.7
 6.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Kent School District)53.445.7
 7.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Washington)59.651.3
 8.3%
8th Grade Math (Meridian Middle School)38.120.8
 17.3%
   8th Grade Math (Kent School District)42.427.6
 14.8%
   8th Grade Math (Washington)47.234.4
 12.8%
8th Grade Science (Meridian Middle School)43.639.9
 3.7%
   8th Grade Science (Kent School District)4635.7
 10.4%
   8th Grade Science (Washington)53.143.9
 9.3%
All Grades English Language Arts (Meridian Middle School)53.242.4
 10.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Kent School District)57.448.1
 9.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Washington)6152.9
 8.1%
All Grades Math (Meridian Middle School)40.526.3
 14.3%
   All Grades Math (Kent School District)47.135.7
 11.4%
   All Grades Math (Washington)50.141
 9%
All Grades Science (Meridian Middle School)43.639.9
 3.7%
   All Grades Science (Kent School District)47.943.3
 4.6%
   All Grades Science (Washington)52.748.8
 4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students556560
 0.7%
African American7483
 12.2%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian161164
 1.9%
Hispanic131144
 9.9%
Pacific Islander1515
White133104
 21.8%
Two or More Races4149
 19.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients62.9%69.5%
 6.5%


Schools Near Meridian Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Meridian Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 560 students attended Meridian Middle School.

Students at Meridian Middle School are 29% Asian, 26% Hispanic, 19% White, 15% African American, 9% Two or more races, 3% Pacific Islander.

Meridian Middle School ranks 239th of 535 Washington middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Meridian Middle School usually go on to attend Kentwood High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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