Middle Schools in Pasco School District

This analysis examines four middle schools (grades 6-8) within the Pasco School District in Washington, a district facing significant academic challenges as it ranks in the 13th percentile statewide.

Among these schools, Ray Reynolds Middle School stands out as the highest performer, ranking in the 37th percentile for the state with the strongest test scores in math and science. Mcloughlin Middle School follows as the district's second-ranked school. In contrast, Stevens Middle School and Ellen Ochoa Middle School rank in the bottom 4% of all Washington middle schools, with proficiency rates less than half the state averages.

A key finding is a strong relationship between economic disadvantage and academic outcomes; the two higher-performing schools have about 55-59% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, while the two lowest-performing schools have rates over 90%. Interestingly, the higher-performing Ray Reynolds operates with the lowest per-student spending in the group, suggesting factors beyond funding significantly impact results. Overall, the data shows persistent achievement gaps within the district, with half of its middle schools performing far below state standards.