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Aspire Performing Arts Academy

Q: Is Aspire Performing Arts Academy a good school?

Aspire Performing Arts Academy ranks 63 rd of 514 Washington middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

63^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 514 Washington Middle Schools

Better than 88% of Washington middle schools

Summary

Aspire Performing Arts Academy is a small public middle school in Lacey, Washington, serving 323 students in grades 6–8 as part of North Thurston Public Schools. The school ranks 63rd of 514 Washington middle schools, placing it in the 88th percentile, and received a four-star rating for 2025–2026.

Academically, Aspire stands out within its district and performs at about the same level as the strongest nearby schools. In 2025–2026, 70.76% of students were proficient in English language arts, 55.67% in math, and 66.67% in science. Those results were substantially higher than district averages—by 18.36 points in ELA, 17.04 points in math, and 15.90 points in science. Aspire also had the highest ELA result among the listed nearby schools. Its math performance was nearly identical to Washington Middle School and Jefferson Middle School, while its science result was stronger than those of most other comparison schools. The school’s seventh grade was especially strong, with 82.35% proficiency in ELA and 60.40% in math.

Parents may want to monitor math, which declined from 63.81% to 55.67% in the latest year, and sixth-grade math, Aspire’s lowest grade-subject result at 48.54%. Eighth-grade ELA was also noticeably lower than seventh-grade ELA. Even so, Aspire remains well ahead of nearby Komachin Middle School, its closest listed school, by 15.84 points in ELA, 18.82 points in math, and 12.55 points in science. The school is also notably small and has a higher reported student-teacher ratio than the comparison schools, so families may wish to ask about class sizes and individual support. Its effectiveness rankings for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and Hispanic students are both in the 96th percentile statewide, a notable strength in serving different student groups.

323

Students ?

22.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,572

Per pupil spending ?

35.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

5900 54th Ave SE
Lacey, WA 98513

(360) 412-4400

District: North Thurston Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

51.4%

Two or more races:

17.0%

Hispanic:

16.7%

See top rated Washington middle schools

Compare Aspire Performing Arts Academy to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 98th percentile in 2016 → 88th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Washington average (64% vs 48% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 12% of Washington middle schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in North Thurston Public Schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 10 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 23 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school64%

District avg46%

Washington avg48%

63^rd of 514

Washington public middle schools ?

Top 12%▼ down 10 pts since 2016

From top 2% (2016) to top 12% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 5Middle Schools in the North Thurston Public Schools

100^th of 238North Thurston Public Schools among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	87.0	63 of 514	87.7%	★★★★☆
2025	89.0	55 of 534	89.7%	★★★★☆
2024	85.3	71 of 535	86.7%	★★★★☆
2023	86.6	63 of 539	88.3%	★★★★☆
2022	80.9	90 of 541	83.4%	★★★★☆
2021	78.6	101 of 529	80.9%	★★★★☆
2019	87.7	51 of 512	90.0%	★★★★★
2018	90.0	41 of 437	90.6%	★★★★★
2017	88.4	38 of 435	91.3%	★★★★★
2016	95.5	8 of 443	98.2%	★★★★★
2013	91.4	21 of 498	95.8%	★★★★★
2012	94.0	10 of 497	98.0%	★★★★★
2011	95.4	10 of 492	98.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	83.1	62 of 443	86.0%	★★★★☆
2025	87.3	52 of 471	89.0%	★★★★☆
2024	85.1	61 of 464	86.9%	★★★★☆
2023	86.9	51 of 464	89.0%	★★★★☆
2022	75.8	101 of 479	78.9%	★★★★☆
2021	79.8	85 of 469	81.9%	★★★★☆
2019	84.6	54 of 452	88.1%	★★★★☆
2018	81.8	66 of 376	82.4%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	96.3	13 of 347	96.3%	★★★★★
2025	93.0	20 of 347	94.2%	★★★★★
2024	87.3	27 of 344	92.2%	★★★★★
2023	95.6	10 of 336	97.0%	★★★★★
2022	80.7	40 of 360	88.9%	★★★★☆
2021	88.3	26 of 353	92.6%	★★★★★
2019	94.7	8 of 344	97.7%	★★★★★
2018	86.7	27 of 259	89.6%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	93.0	17 of 453	96.2%	★★★★★
2025	93.4	17 of 457	96.3%	★★★★★
2024	81.2	52 of 455	88.6%	★★★★☆
2023	87.9	21 of 463	95.5%	★★★★★
2022	72.9	73 of 475	84.6%	★★★★☆
2021	72.5	60 of 458	86.9%	★★★★☆
2019	95.5	5 of 448	98.9%	★★★★★
2018	91.7	20 of 349	94.3%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	85.2	69 of 454	84.8%	★★★★☆
2025	88.1	54 of 472	88.6%	★★★★☆
2024	83.8	64 of 466	86.3%	★★★★☆
2023	83.1	70 of 470	85.1%	★★★★☆
2022	83.3	67 of 480	86.0%	★★★★☆
2021	73.9	101 of 476	78.8%	★★★★☆
2019	87.1	51 of 453	88.7%	★★★★☆
2018	95.4	13 of 371	96.5%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	58.7	16 of 43	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.2	20 of 46	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	69.5	9 of 40	77.5%	★★★★☆
2022	74.5	9 of 51	82.4%	★★★★☆
2021	85.5	2 of 44	95.5%	★★★★★
2019	59.3	20 of 50	60.0%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	72.5	59 of 246	76.0%	★★★★☆
2024	72.1	58 of 243	76.1%	★★★★☆
2023	65.4	73 of 244	70.1%	★★★★☆
2022	54.3	106 of 257	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	55.6	96 of 250	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.5	64 of 246	74.0%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	63.1	50 of 179	72.1%	★★★★☆
2023	97.9	1 of 167	99.4%	★★★★★
2021	68.4	36 of 210	82.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	76.3	97 of 453	78.6%	★★★★☆
2025	84.7	66 of 488	86.5%	★★★★☆
2024	86.2	51 of 486	89.5%	★★★★☆
2023	79.8	78 of 488	84.0%	★★★★☆
2022	80.4	78 of 488	84.0%	★★★★☆
2021	74.8	99 of 480	79.4%	★★★★☆
2019	84.9	55 of 470	88.3%	★★★★☆
2018	83.1	46 of 325	85.8%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2026)96th percentile+9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)96th percentile+9 vs school

Female (2026)86th percentile~ school

Male (2026)85th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)79th percentile-9 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)76th percentile-14 vs school

Special Education (2024)72nd percentile-15 vs school

Military Connected (2025)63rd percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts71%+18 vs state

Science67%+16 vs state

Math56%+13 vs state

★

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Schools Near Aspire Performing Arts Academy

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WCAS Science (2026)		SBAC English Language Arts (2026)				SBAC Math (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 8th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 6th Grade	SBAC Math 7th Grade	SBAC Math 8th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Aspire Performing Arts Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	5900 54th Ave SE	Lacey	98513	Thurston County	North Thurston Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(360) 412-4400	323	14	22.7	35.3%	166 (51.4%)	19 (5.9%)	54 (16.7%)	20 (6.2%)	2 (0.6%)	5 (1.5%)	55 (17.0%)	87	63^rd of 514 public middle schools	87.7%		89	55^th of 534 public middle schools	89.7%	8	66.7	66.7	67.0	82.4	62.5	70.8	48.5	60.4	58.3	55.7	$15,572	$521	$15,051
Komachin Middle School	Public	6-8	3650 College St SE	Lacey	98503	Thurston County	North Thurston Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(360) 412-4740	640	34	18.8	48.8%	259 (40.5%)	44 (6.9%)	145 (22.7%)	40 (6.3%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (3.9%)	124 (19.4%)	59.4	180^th of 514 public middle schools	65.0%		49.1	252^nd of 534 public middle schools	52.8%	72	54.1	54.1	46.0	58.9	63.0	54.9	34.2	34.3	43.0	36.9	$16,840	$719	$16,121
Washington Middle School	Public	6-8	3100 Cain Rd SE	Olympia	98501	Thurston County	Olympia School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 596-3000	702	36	19.3	21.7%	441 (62.8%)	24 (3.4%)	94 (13.4%)	52 (7.4%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	83 (11.8%)	87.3	61^st of 514 public middle schools	88.1%		87.9	59^th of 534 public middle schools	89.0%	2	74.9	74.9	61.5	73.3	70.0	68.2	47.6	67.0	53.6	55.8	$14,672	$606	$14,066
Nisqually Middle School	Public	6-8	8100 Steilacoom Rd SE	Lacey	98503	Thurston County	North Thurston Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(360) 412-4770	789	44	18.0	51.3%	318 (40.3%)	35 (4.4%)	222 (28.1%)	51 (6.5%)	16 (2.0%)	29 (3.7%)	115 (14.6%)	31.8	344^th of 514 public middle schools	33.1%		29	381^st of 534 public middle schools	28.7%	37	41.2	41.2	42.2	40.3	47.2	43.2	22.2	23.8	27.0	24.3	$16,625	$719	$15,905
Chinook Middle School	Public	6-8	4301 6th Ave NE	Lacey	98516	Thurston County	North Thurston Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(360) 412-4760	746	38	19.6	55.5%	287 (38.5%)	42 (5.6%)	216 (29.0%)	64 (8.6%)	5 (0.7%)	31 (4.2%)	99 (13.3%)	48.2	243^rd of 514 public middle schools	52.7%		44.6	278^th of 534 public middle schools	47.9%	35	46.2	46.2	40.0	53.9	55.2	49.8	30.0	39.2	33.2	34.2	$17,789	$517	$17,273
Tumwater Middle School	Public	6-8	6335 Littlerock Road SW	Tumwater	98512	Thurston County	Tumwater School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 709-7500	665	34	19.5	35.6%	409 (61.5%)	19 (2.9%)	118 (17.7%)	26 (3.9%)	7 (1.1%)	8 (1.2%)	77 (11.6%)	64.8	159^th of 514 public middle schools	69.1%		70.2	137^th of 534 public middle schools	74.3%	22	52.6	52.6	59.2	64.4	51.6	58.4	32.8	49.2	41.1	40.8	$16,737	$470	$16,267
Reeves Middle School	Public	6-8	2200 Quince St NE	Olympia	98506	Thurston County	Olympia School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 596-3400	394	22	18.1	35.8%	250 (63.5%)	8 (2.0%)	64 (16.2%)	17 (4.3%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	42 (10.7%)	69	145^th of 514 public middle schools	71.8%		68.2	147^th of 534 public middle schools	72.5%	2	57.8	57.8	55.9	56.0	57.4	56.4	50.7	46.3	39.1	45.9	$17,630	$1,126	$16,504
Salish Middle School	Public	6-8	8605 Campus Glen Dr NE	Lacey	98516	Thurston County	North Thurston Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(360) 412-4780	745	40	18.8	48.3%	302 (40.5%)	35 (4.7%)	187 (25.1%)	62 (8.3%)	7 (0.9%)	25 (3.4%)	126 (16.9%)	47.5	247^th of 514 public middle schools	51.9%		39	312^th of 534 public middle schools	41.6%	65	52.8	52.8	46.3	51.2	48.7	48.7	30.9	36.2	29.2	32.2	$16,105	$704	$15,401
George Bush Middle School	Public	6-8	2120 83rd Avenue SW	Tumwater	98512	Thurston County	Tumwater School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 709-7400	762	42	18.0	39.0%	491 (64.4%)	17 (2.2%)	154 (20.2%)	17 (2.2%)	2 (0.3%)	5 (0.7%)	76 (10.0%)	66.6	149^th of 514 public middle schools	71.0%		65.6	164^th of 534 public middle schools	69.3%	15	55.3	55.3	50.4	62.1	58.6	56.8	41.5	51.1	36.8	43.1	$16,333	$274	$16,059
Jefferson Middle School	Public	6-8	2200 Conger Ave NW	Olympia	98502	Thurston County	Olympia School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 596-3200	462	25	18.2	42.9%	228 (49.4%)	22 (4.8%)	64 (13.9%)	60 (13.0%)	2 (0.4%)	11 (2.4%)	63 (13.6%)	85.9	68^th of 514 public middle schools	86.8%		84.6	72^nd of 534 public middle schools	86.5%	4	67.8	67.8	57.9	67.6	73.1	66.5	52.8	55.8	60.7	56.6	$16,806	$693	$16,113

Frequently Asked Questions about Aspire Performing Arts Academy

What is the racial makeup of Aspire Performing Arts Academy?

Students at Aspire Performing Arts Academy are 51% White, 17% Two or more races, 17% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 6% African American, 2% Pacific Islander.

What district is Aspire Performing Arts Academy in?

North Thurston Public Schools

How many students attend Aspire Performing Arts Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 323 students attended Aspire Performing Arts Academy.

Is Aspire Performing Arts Academy a good school?

Aspire Performing Arts Academy ranks 63^rd of 514 Washington middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Aspire Performing Arts Academy!

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2016–17 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 8, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

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.