Summary:
In Graham, Washington (zip code 98338), there are two public middle schools, Frontier Middle School and Cougar Mountain Middle School, both serving grades 6-8 within the Bethel School District and having very similar enrollment sizes and student-teacher ratios.
Comparing the two, Cougar Mountain Middle School generally has a higher state ranking and performs better in English Language Arts and Science, while Frontier Middle School shows slightly stronger math scores and more consistent year-to-year rankings. Both schools face academic challenges, performing below the Washington state average in all core subjects, which reflects broader trends in the Bethel School District. A notable finding is that Cougar Mountain spends significantly more per student, yet the academic results between the two schools are relatively close.
Key takeaways for parents include that both schools serve similar communities, with about half of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Math performance, especially in 8th grade, is an area for improvement at both. Cougar Mountain's science program is a particular strength, approaching the state average. Parents may want to consider whether one school's performance profile or consistency better matches their child's needs, as both offer comparable environments with slight variations in academic strengths.
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