The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Finley Middle School
Finley Middle School serves grades six through eight in the Finley School District, located in the Kennewick area of Benton County. The school is a regular public middle school, and it is not a charter or magnet school. The student body is small for a middle school, with enrollment split across the three grade levels. The student population is roughly evenly split between students who identify as Hispanic and students who identify as white, with a small share identifying as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on the share of students with an individualized education program or who are English learners was not available.
State testing results from the most recent school year show that proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science are low. In math, the share of students meeting the state standard was in the low double digits across all three grade levels. In English language arts, the share was higher but still below a third of students in each grade. In eighth-grade science, about a fifth of students met the state standard. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, places Finley Middle School below the midpoint relative to other districts in Benton County. Only a single year of testing data was available for this school, so there is no trend to examine yet.
The school is part of the Finley School District. The district brief did not turn up any recent parent-relevant changes, such as boundary adjustments, program launches, or facility projects, that would have a lasting impact on families. A parent may want to check directly with the district office for any current initiatives or upcoming plans.
Finley Middle School sits within the broader Kennewick area, which is the most populous of the Tri-Cities. Kennewick has a diversified economy spanning manufacturing, food processing, retail, and services, and it hosts offices for Amazon and Lamb Weston. The city sits along the Columbia River, with residential neighborhoods rising from the river toward ridges and the Horse Heaven Hills to the south. The Tri-Cities region is described as having the fastest growing population in Washington State, and Kennewick’s population has grown steadily in recent years. Major civic anchors include the Three Rivers Convention Center, the Toyota Center, and the Southridge Sports and Events Complex. The nearest commercial airport is Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco. The housing market in the area shows home values that are below the state benchmark but above the national benchmark, and rents that are moderate relative to income.
The school itself is a small middle school. The student body is predominantly Hispanic and white, with a very small number of students from other racial backgrounds. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. Data on the share of students with disabilities or who are English learners was not available.
The school’s state testing results are low across all subjects and grade levels. In math, proficiency rates were in the low double digits in each grade. In English language arts, rates were higher but still below a third of students in each grade. In eighth-grade science, about a fifth of students met the state standard. The school’s overall proficiency index is below the midpoint when compared to other districts in Benton County. A parent considering this school may want to ask the school or district about academic supports, intervention programs, and any recent efforts to raise achievement.
The school serves only middle grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism was also not available. The school is part of the Finley School District, and the district brief did not identify any recent changes that would affect families, such as boundary adjustments or new program launches. A parent may want to contact the district directly for information about current initiatives or upcoming plans.
Finley Middle School is a small school serving a high-need population in a growing region. The academic results are low across the board, and the school sits below the midpoint among Benton County districts in overall proficiency. Families considering this school will want to understand what academic supports and enrichment opportunities are available, and how the school is working to raise achievement.
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