Washington Middle School

2101 South Jackson Street

School District

Seattle Public Schools
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 07, 2025

This school is not great and they suspended the kids over the dumbest reason . The students don’t feel encouraged enough to stay in class
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2021

The principal barely communicates or interacts with the parents. Modes of receiving communication has been nothing but challenges and you have to persist or ask the most involved parents or Facebook group just to get a simple answer. They tout this wonderful new TAF program that has done really nothing to help diversity, inclusion or parent involvement. My son who has a high IQ but a learning disability doesn't fit in and is bullied and hurt physically. To get special education services for him, I've had to threaten to get the courts involved because they don't even respond to my multiple requests. They are just shuffling kids in and out and hoping that no one raises a stink about these poor conditions - even the most hardcore PTA parent friend of mine gave up and changed schools. I have had mixed experiences with teachers - the nurse and some teachers are great in trying to help my son (with education and bullying), but some staff should not even be there because they are dismissive and lack basic manners. The school facilities are worn out and parking/traffic is horrible being next to main streets and the Franz bread company. If they had more organization, these low-income issues wouldn't be a problem but leadership is severely lacking. We're just trying to get through and finish with this school so we can move to a better place for high school. Would not recommend this school unless you have no other options and your child isn't special needs and can fight back with bullies or fly under the radar. I used to think these low income schools need help with funding but now I'm realizing why they shouldn't be funded unless a really stellar principal can come in and make changes.I have another child in a West Seattle elementary school who got in by lottery and I am sacrificing the commute to keep him there because the difference between that school and these south end school is night and day. I've even pulled my daughter out of a different south end school due to the same type of conditions.
Submitted by student on June 05, 2018

I enjoy going to school because of my friends and my electives. Some teachers are not good at explaining their lessons or controlling the class. Our school is filled with inappropriate language, references and behavior. Many students feel alone, bullied and misunderstood. Our school is often not a good learning environment and it doesn't make kids feel safe or able to ask for help
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2017

My child does not fit the box of "normal" children. So she is being pushed out of the school. The principal has assaulted her 3 times. The principal doesn't care. Because of the principals distaste for my child she did not make the basketball team because the coach is the principals daughter. I have had to fight for my child to get her education under FAPE.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2016

Washington MS is an amazing place in the inner city that is home to a rich cross-section of families. I have sent two children to WMS because this environment has helped them understand how to collaborate and navigate the real world. Principal Susan Follmer is in her second year of leading this school and is making impactful cultural improvements including raising the quality of teaching and the expectations of all students and faculty. This school has an award winning music program where nearly half of all students participate in a musical ensemble. The teachers are dedicated, the staff cares and the Principal has vision. WMS is not without its issues - 1150 students come with different needs and abilities - but under Principal Follmer's leadership, WMS is a great school getting better all the time.
Submitted by other on March 27, 2016

A diverse and caring community, teachers go the extra mile and parent and the community have a strong and uplifting presence at the school.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2016

My daughter has gone to this school for two years and at this point I'm genuinely nauseated by how horrible the school is. We are literally hanging on until the end of the year because we have no other option, but I cannot express now awful our experience has been this year.First off, I will say we got lucky with some great teachers last year. SOME of the staff is wonderful. However, the administration is simply terrible. They hate kids, and hate parents even more. If you bring any problem to their attention, they will blame either the student or the parent and refuse to do anything to help.But by far the worst thing about the school is the institutionalized racism. First off, just walking down the halls you see how African American boys are constantly chastised, criticized and threatened. Then there is the school "dances." These take place during the school day—and cost money.$2 might not seem like a lot—but plenty of poor and homeless kids don't have $2. They are forced to sit in the "quiet room" while their friends go to the dance . They are not allowed leave school early unless a parent picks them up, which working parents cannot do. So, instead poorer students sit there, humiliated.I cannot understand the monstrosity of any adult who would set up a PAID dance during school hours. Oh, and by the way—tell your kids to watch out for their cell phones. On "dance" days, kids break into lockers, trying to find things to sell to be able to afford to go to the dance.If your son or daughter wants to be informed about institutionalized racism and classism, they won't be told that history at Washington Middle School. Instead, they will be treated to posters, slogans and coursework that tells them over and over again that "their future is their own choice!" As if circumstances play no role. They are told to sit down, shut up, & accept whatever scraps are given to them.Oh, and the bathrooms have non-potable water running from their sinks. Yep, there's a little bit of Flint Michigan happening in this Central District school. But I suppose since it's in the inner city, no one cares. I guess the kids are supposed to be "grateful" they can wash their hands at all.Basically, WMS is a great place to send your kid if you want them to witness the school-to-prison pipeline firsthand. Thank God we are almost out of there.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2015

I am a very concerned parent, my son has attended Washington Middle School for 2 years. This is by far the worst school he has ever gone to. There are some very good support staff members here but it is out weighted by the staff you have to deal with on a regular basis. There are staff that work in the office that act like it is a chore to help or assist you. My philosophy is "if you don't like people/children don't work in an environment where you know you will have to encounter them" . The quality of education is very poor and communication at this school is non existence ( unless someone is brought in from a higher position to contact the person you are trying to communicate with). I moved to Seattle from a small town, for the diversity of people and life experiences for my child. I am however planning on moving out of Seattle come the end of the year because of my experience with this particular school and the administration at this school . I would NOT send your child to this school
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

This historic middle school was where Seattle son Jimi Hendrix attended before he graduated to Garfield High. Although not much to look at on the outside, inside this school is a hive of some of the finest teachers and motivated students in the City. Regular, Spectrum and Advanced Programs are available to qualified pupils.Language Arts & Reading, Math & Science, Social Studies, Art & Technology, Special Education & ELD are perfectly balanced (inclusive in the curriculum) with a truly excellent Music Program. Students can acquire credits for School Bands and Orchestras and Choirs. Teachers cover beginners to the more advanced. Physical Education is also considered key for student participation. On offer is Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee, Girls & Boys Soccer, Boys & Girls Basketball, Co-ed Track, Girls Volleyball, Fencing and Yoga. Most importantly is the Social Justice of good "Student Citizenship" is encouraged (and enforced as needed). Middle School years are challenging. Washington's students are the beautiful, highly diverse faces of the real-world future. I feel most fortunate my child attends.
Submitted by other on January 21, 2012

Washington has an odd dynamic, because it is trifurcated by its general education, spectrum, and APP programs, so it is better evaluated as three different schools sharing the same facilities and non-academic programs. When I was there just a few years ago, sports were very strong. As the poster below has alluded to, the once-outstanding music program has been crippled in the past few years. Half of the school's APP students have been moved to Hamilton, and Robert Knatt, nationally known music director, retired the year after I left. Academically, I can only speak from experience about APP: math is excellent, history is very good, language arts are fine, most of the science program is pathetic, and languages vary in quality. On the whole, Washington is certainly a letdown from Lowell, but the APP community, both of parents and students, remains wonderful - the primary reason I am giving this school a 4/5. This is really a solid school. It's just disappointing that Washington doesn't do more with what it has.
Submitted by other on January 06, 2012

I have attended WMS as an APP student for three years. There are many highlights to the school, as well as many disappointments. As for teachers, I found that they are either excellent and passionate for their work or simply terrible. During the sixth and seventh grade, I had a teacher that was ill-tempered, dishonorable, and favored some over others. My other teachers however encouraged hard work, achievement, and were likable. The music program has declined since I arrived in the sixth grade, but, by normal standards, it would still be considered good. There are many after school opportunities and out-of-school music performances/trips Academically, the science programs are poor. The labs are redundant, and there is little room to make discoveries on ones' own or be creative. The teachers have little scientific knowledge beyond the curriculum. It is likely this way with most public middle schools though. WMS has APP and Spectrum learning programs, both of which are fairly challenging and have high expectations. Ultimately, it is at the student's discretion how much work to put into academics; the school provides an excellent foundation to do so.