Summary:
ZIP code 98270 has two middle schools serving grades 7–8: Cedarcrest School and Totem Middle School, both part of the Marysville School District. Together, they enroll 1,226 students in the Marysville area. Because the schools are in the same district, their differences in academic results provide a useful comparison for families considering middle-school options.
Cedarcrest School is the clear academic and statewide-ranking leader. In 2025–2026, its proficiency rates were 50.42% in English Language Arts, 36.72% in math, and 39.80% in science, exceeding district averages in all three subjects. Its statewide ranking improved to 248th out of 514 schools, placing it around the 52nd percentile. Cedarcrest’s strongest area is ELA, while math and science remain opportunities for improvement compared with Washington averages. The school also has a lower reported free/reduced-price lunch rate than Totem, indicating that the two schools serve somewhat different student populations.
Totem Middle School has substantially lower current achievement, with proficiency rates of 25.85% in ELA, 17.33% in math, and 24.04% in science. However, it is moving in a positive direction: ELA and math results improved from the prior year, and its statewide percentile rose from 3rd to 7th over three years. Totem also reports higher spending per student and a lower student-teacher ratio, though it serves a larger share of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Overall, families should view Cedarcrest as the stronger-performing option, while recognizing Totem’s recent improvement and the importance of considering student needs, growth, and available supports alongside test scores.
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