Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 98404

In the 98404 zip code of Tacoma, Washington, there is one public middle school, First Creek Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 in an area served by the Tacoma School District.

First Creek Middle School faces significant academic challenges, consistently ranking in the bottom 10% of all Washington middle schools for the last three years. Student proficiency rates in English, math, and science are substantially below both the district and state averages, with a particularly sharp decline in 8th-grade math proficiency to just over 6%. This is notable given the school's high per-student funding of over $20,000, which raises important questions about how resources are being applied to improve student outcomes.

The school serves a student population with high economic need, with 78% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. While the district itself is ranked in the lower half statewide, First Creek's performance is a pronounced area of concern within it. For parents, this indicates a school that is struggling academically despite significant financial investment, suggesting that families may want to investigate the specific academic supports and programs in place to address these persistent performance gaps.