The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Midway Elementary
Midway Elementary is a regular public school in Des Moines, Washington, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Highline School District. The school sits in a mid-sized suburban waterfront city on the east shore of Puget Sound, midway between Seattle and Tacoma. Des Moines is primarily residential, with housing available across income levels, a small downtown shopping district near the marina, and Highline College located within city limits. The city slopes gently toward the Sound, with ravines carved by local creeks, and is bisected by several regional highways. Walkable street life concentrates near the waterfront boardwalk and marina, while most of the city is suburban residential on a sloping hillside.
The student body at Midway Elementary reflects a diverse community. The largest ethnic group is Hispanic, followed by Black and Asian students, with smaller populations of white, multiracial, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. A substantial share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the provided information; a parent may want to ask the school directly about supports for these populations.
State assessment results for the 2024-25 school year show proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science that are well below statewide averages. In each grade tested, third through fifth, the share of students meeting the proficiency bar is low across all three subjects. Because the data covers only a single year, it is not possible to assess whether performance is improving or declining. Compared to other districts in King County, Midway Elementary’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. This is a soft spot that families should weigh carefully, though the school’s grade band means students move on to middle school after fifth grade, so the elementary years may be only part of a longer academic trajectory.
The surrounding housing market is expensive. Home values in the zip code are moderately high relative to the national median, and rents are also substantial. The county-wide market shows a slight softening in median listing prices over the past year, with inventory rising and days on market increasing modestly. For families considering moving into the area, affordability is a real consideration, though Des Moines offers a broader range of housing options than some neighboring communities.
Highline Public Schools, the parent district, has been actively modernizing its facilities. Several schools have been relocated to interim sites while construction or renovation occurs, which affects attendance boundaries and feeder patterns. The district has also been expanding its portfolio of choice schools, including Innovation Heights Academy and Maritime High School, giving families more specialized secondary options. For elementary families, this means that the path beyond Midway may involve a choice school application or a transition to a middle school that is itself in flux as modernization continues. A parent looking ahead to middle and high school options should research how these changes may affect their child’s route through the district.
Midway Elementary itself is a neighborhood school in a community that is economically diverse and ethnically rich. The academic challenges reflected in the test scores are significant, and families considering this school should seek out additional information about classroom instruction, intervention programs, and how the school supports students who are behind grade level. The absence of data on discipline, attendance, staffing, and program offerings means a parent would need to visit, talk to the principal, and perhaps connect with current parents to get a fuller picture of daily life at the school. For some families, the strong sense of community and diversity may be a draw; for others, the low proficiency rates will be a central concern. The school’s role within a district undergoing visible change adds another layer to consider, but does not change the core fact that Midway faces a steep hill in raising student achievement.
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