Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 98597

In the Yelm, Washington area (zip code 98597), there are two public middle schools, Yelm Middle School and Ridgeline Middle School, both serving grades 6-8 within the Yelm School District and educating a combined total of over 1,200 students.

Comparing the two, Ridgeline Middle School generally shows stronger overall performance, ranking higher statewide and demonstrating better proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Science, while also having a slightly lower student-to-teacher ratio. Yelm Middle School, however, shows a particular strength in 7th-grade mathematics, where it outperforms both the district and state averages. Both schools have maintained consistent three-star ratings over the past few years, and notably, each outperforms the Washington state average in 8th-grade science, suggesting effective science instruction across the district.

An interesting point for parents to consider is the difference in per-student spending, with Ridgeline receiving significantly more funding than Yelm. While Ridgeline's academic outcomes are stronger, neither school reaches 60% proficiency in core subjects, indicating there is room for growth across the district. For families, this means both schools offer a similar educational framework with specific strengths at each campus, and the choice may come down to individual program offerings or community feel.