At a glance
Reported students
604
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
32.57
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Washington middle enrollment
49th percentile
Compared with 382 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
484
Pacific Middle School: 604 reported students.
State peer staffing position
41st percentile
18.5:1 reported; state peer median 19.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 661
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43.6
- Student–teacher ratio
- 15.2:1
What the reported data says about Pacific Middle School
Pacific Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Des Moines. It is one of 37 current school records connected to Highline School District. NCES reports 604 students for 2024–25.
Among 382 middle schools in Washington with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 611 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 49th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.5:1, close to the Washington median of 19.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (36.6%) and Asian (18.5%). English learners represent 34% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 13.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Pacific Middle School
- 1How do the reported 18.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 32.57 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 3 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 34%
- Students with disabilities
- 13.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 74.3%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White13.6%
- Hispanic36.6%
- Black16.9%
- Asian18.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander4.3%
- Multiracial9.6%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Highline School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Chinook Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
620 reported students
Sylvester Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
582 reported students
Cascade Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
671 reported students
Glacier Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
803 reported students
Tyee High School
High · Grades 09–12
644 reported students
Midway Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
548 reported students
Public schools near Pacific Middle School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Middle School Middle · Federal Way School District | 06–08 | 810 | 2.7 mi |
| Chinook Middle School Middle · Highline School District | 06–08 | 620 | 2.8 mi |
| Mill Creek Middle School Middle · Kent School District | 06–08 | 866 | 3.6 mi |
| Sylvester Middle School Middle · Highline School District | 06–08 | 582 | 4.4 mi |
| Sacajawea Middle School Middle · Federal Way School District | 06–08 | 668 | 4.5 mi |
| Kilo Middle School Middle · Federal Way School District | 06–08 | 669 | 5.1 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Pacific Middle School
What grades does Pacific Middle School serve?
Pacific Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Highline School District.
How many students attend Pacific Middle School?
Pacific Middle School reported 604 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 49th percentile among 382 Washington middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 661 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Pacific Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 18.5:1, based on 604 students and 32.57 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Washington median for the same school level is 19.1:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Pacific Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Pacific Middle School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Highline School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Pacific Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
74.3% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Pacific Middle School in?
Pacific Middle School is part of Highline School District, based in Burien, WA, which operates 37 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Pacific Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Evergreen Middle School (2.7 mi), Chinook Middle School (2.8 mi), Mill Creek Middle School (3.6 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.