Summary:
In zip code 98541, which serves the Elma, Washington area, there is one public middle school, Elma Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 for the local Elma School District.
Elma Middle School shows a consistent pattern of gradual improvement, having moved from the 38th to the 42nd percentile among Washington middle schools over the last three years, though it maintains a two-star rating. Academically, the school performs slightly below its district and state averages in most subjects, with mathematics proficiency being a particular area of focus as it trails the state average by about nine percentage points. The school serves a student population with significant economic need, with approximately 66% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, which is an important context for understanding community resources.
A notable strength and interesting pattern at the school is in English Language Arts, where student performance shows dramatic growth from 6th to 8th grade; 8th graders actually outperform the state average, suggesting effective learning progression through the middle school years. With per-student spending above many state averages, the school has resources to address its challenges, and the upward trend in rankings indicates positive momentum. For families, this suggests a school that is steadily improving while working to support a high-needs community, with clear evidence of academic growth in core literacy skills during a student's time there.
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