Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 98901

This analysis examines two middle schools serving grades 6-8 in the 98901 zip code of Yakima, Washington, revealing significant differences in performance and student demographics between the two institutions.

East Valley Central Middle School in the East Valley School District (Yakima) is the higher-performing school, ranking in the 41st percentile statewide with proficiency rates closer to district averages, particularly in science where 42.6% of 8th graders are proficient. In contrast, Washington Middle School in the Yakima School District ranks in the bottom 5% of state middle schools, with proficiency rates substantially below its own district averages, most notably in 8th-grade science at 12.08%.

A key finding is the relationship between economic indicators and outcomes; Washington Middle School has a free/reduced lunch rate of 96% compared to 62% at East Valley Central. Interestingly, Washington receives about 10% more funding per student, suggesting factors beyond basic resources influence results. Both schools serve a high-need population and have nearly identical student-teacher ratios, but East Valley Central shows more stable performance across grade levels while Washington, despite its low ranking, has shown a slight upward trajectory in its state percentile over the past three years.