Frontier Middle School

Graham, WA 98338

Phone: (253) 800-8300
District: Bethel School District

5

GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades 6,7,8 • 637 students

Frontier Middle School, a public school located in Graham, WA, serves grades 6-8 in the Bethel School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Frontier Middle School is a public school located in Graham, WA. 637 students attend Frontier Middle School.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 5/10 The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Smarter Balanced Assessment data from Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and using 2025 Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science data from Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Student Growth 4/10 The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

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Posted: March 17, 2026

Ts pmo. 2 or 3 lock downs in the first two months... KIDS PULL THE FIRE ALARM! The music program carries this school by 38237389284728 times

Posted: March 4, 2026

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Posted: March 4, 2026

This school sucks, my teacher kept me in from going to an important band meeting OVER ONE MISSING ASSIGNMENT! This school sucks, can’t wait to go to graham kapowsin high school, my 7th period teachers are not only bad, but THEY EAT IN CLASS IN FRONT OF THE STUDENTS! This school is EVIL in almost every way, but our band director is amazing! Our band director is very caring, but over all, this school is the worst school I’ve ever been to, the bullying also goes unnoticed throughout the year. Needs SEVERE renovation, the fountains taste like lead, sometimes they don’t work, over all, a horrible school

Posted: September 13, 2024

I liked some teachers, but the bullying is crazy.
I used to be a student here but I moved.

Posted: September 13, 2024

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Posted: April 21, 2024

I wanted to give a newer rating because lots of these are from years ago! This school sucks. Period. I have many friends and people around me who just hate attending. When I look around, I see other kids on iPads ALL THE TIME!! Not paying attention, that’s on them, I get it… but to be honest, it’s because none of these teachers can TEACH motivation, they’re not even motivated to teach. From a student point of view, I get it, parents aren’t ever involved because of these teachers. Teachers mock students, such as mocking stutters (Personal experience), or yelling at them in front of everyone. Teachers don’t change grades when they’re supposed to, Ive seen people get grades that would bump the grade up and they don’t even go up .1%. As for bullying, nothing stops. This school has been on K4 and KOMO news about a student who got his face reconstructed after a fight. Counselors are too laid back, they don’t take anything seriously, just like campus safety. Campus safety will come down and only take the teachers side without listening to the student, when you try to explain, they cut you off and keep repeating the opposite of what you’re trying to say (If you see this, yes you lady). I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared if there wasn’t a shooting because of how much hate there is. I’ve lost all motivation, all passion, all time to not worry. Students have been caught vaping in the bathrooms, racist comments are normalized (such as the n-word), especially slurs itself. Don’t get me wrong, there are sweethearts of teachers, but that doesn’t get rid of the ones that aren’t. Every time I wake up in the morning, I’m exhausted and drained. Students only come to school for friends, teachers don’t check up on students falling behind, and admin doesn’t fix anything. The principal is never seen around, she doesnt care. Please do better, I want to do better, and I want to see the people around me to do better. I hope this helps, please check up on your students, hurt is silent.

-Anonymous Waiting To Help
APRIL 22, 2024!

Posted: March 4, 2024

Not sure what i can say, we were hesitant about sending our daughter here because of the reviews. In our experience it has been the total opposite. Our daughter was home schooled for 3 years prior to joining the public school system in 5th grade mid year. When she came to Frontier there was a learning curve. Every teacher goes out of their way to help students achieve. Every teacher is responsive to our concerns and addresses them. The staff have been amazing. The kids are welcoming. It has been a joy sending our daughter there. And the music department is really something Choir, orchestra, band.

Posted: March 4, 2024

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Posted: January 4, 2024

This school needs a renovation in regards to its methods and its staff of educators. There is zero effort put forth to ensure the children are successful, and little to no communication with parents on student progress. The parent-teacher conferences are not inclusive of meeting with all teachers the student has, and the grading system leaves much to be desired. Assigned weights are heavily geared toward students who are much better at taking tests, and quizzes/tests do not include enough questions to balance the grade. Most assessments are 4 questions or less, which leaves little room for error and a lot of room for failure. Teachers are highly unresponsive unless you get the administration involved. Overall, this school does not provide an environment that is conducive to learning.

Posted: January 4, 2024

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Posted: October 16, 2018

My daughters math teacher gives an A for doing homework but admitted he doesn't check it.

Posted: October 16, 2018

I am upside down on this because some are very effective and others are terrible.

Posted: October 16, 2018

No, I was so upset to find out that we are getting ready for parent teacher conference and my daughters math teacher doesn't know who she is, how do you develop these skills in your students when your teachers don't have it.

Posted: October 16, 2018

What leadership I have not seen an example of leadership at this school

Posted: October 16, 2018

I have talkd to other parents that said the school is just now able to start helping children with learning differences. It would also depend on what you mean by learning differences. I admit I feel like I have stepped back in time with this school but I will say there are a few teachers that I am impressed with. My daughters math teacher scared me with our first meeting and him being so unprepared and not knowing who she is.

Posted: October 16, 2018

My daughter was called the "n" word at school and was suspended for slapping the other student. I am not condoning her slapping the other child, and I don't know what happen with the child. I do know that it is important for her to develop thick skin but I was unhappy with the school setting up a meeting with me and then forgetting about it when came time to meet. What kind of message is that?

Posted: October 16, 2018

Am I looking to switch districts this is the hard part, she likes her other teachers this year and I have to say so far I have been pleasantly surprised and that the problem is more a administration problem then just, teachers not showing their work and passing their test... Need checks and balances on both ends.

Posted: June 1, 2017

Bullying can be whispers in the gym locker room, whispers in line, throwing things in the hallway. Yes, stereotypical middle school, but how far is too far? They do not have a clear expectation of what zero bullying is and isn't.

Posted: June 1, 2017

Posted: June 1, 2017

2 out of 6 teachers were effective, responsive and helpful. 2 teachers blew off my concerns about my student. 2 teachers did nothing.

Posted: June 1, 2017

Compassion, integrity and respect are missing at the highest levels. Of course you cannot expect it, when it is not being modeled or trained.

Posted: June 1, 2017

The principal says nice things but does nothing. All the PC nice talk, but no actual change and no follow up.

Posted: June 1, 2017

Many teachers were not able or willing to accommodate my student with a different learning style. Forced group work, no accommodation for noises or boredom, no challenge, very little ability to even stand or move.

Posted: June 1, 2017

I would never send a child of mine to this school. From the administration on down it is a frustrating experience. You are better off homeschooling or switching districts.

Posted: April 12, 2017

I attended this school as a child. Back then the school system used the Step Program. Where students would be put against a wall for punishment. Today my own children attend this school and I feel the same as I did 20 years ago. This school is more about punishment than helping children achieve.

Posted: March 18, 2017

See my testimonial. Institutionalized bullying is the mainstay of this school.

Posted: March 18, 2017

My son was in the advanced placement at his previous school and this school refused to put him in advanced classes. He will qualify next year, but they refused to test him at the beginning of the year.

Posted: March 18, 2017

Every interaction I have had with leadership has been a disappointment.

Posted: March 18, 2017

There are good teachers here, but there are spiteful childish teachers as well.

Posted: March 18, 2017

They provide many resources like ipad for their students to learn.

Posted: March 18, 2017

My son has been attending this school for six months and has been bullied regularly. He is a tough, smart kid and he has talked with me about the bullying and I have always responded that he needs to tell a teacher when it happens. He says they won't do anything and I agree, but I always say, it is the first step and it needs to happen before I can get involved. I also want him to learn to defend himself through the proper channels. He has never told a teacher and yesterday I learned why. I received an email from the assistant principal saying that my son was caught using "profanity" after chasing a kid in the hallway and would be serving detention for two days. I asked my son about it, and he said the kid had patted his head and ran off. He chased after him and a teacher stopped him and he used the word "friggin". Later that day, I called the assistant principal and told her I would not be cooperating with this punishment and asked for her side of the story. She said that the bully was never caught, that he had, in fact, hit my son over the head, and that the bully would not be serving detention because he was not caught. She also confirmed that my son used the word "friggin" repeatedly and that was why he was serving detention. I told her about the boy who calls my son "gay" every day in the hall way and asked why something was not being done about it. Her response was the classic "If your son doesn't report it, he might not be upset and so it doesn't constitute bullying."

There is institutionalized bullying taking place at this school. From the bullies to the teachers to the administrators, they defend the bully and shame the victim. There are good teachers at this school, and my son has straight A's. There are bad teachers as well, the kind that swear in front of kids and then expell them for saying "Star Trek Sucks" My son is a very smart kid, and he is tough, but if we are being treated this way, then others are as well, and I fear for the kid that internalizes bullying rather than deflecting it. This is not a safe school. There are a lot of good schools in Bethel School District. This is not one of them. I understand now why my son was afraid to report bullying. There is not support system here. Even worse, they shame the victim.

Posted: August 24, 2016

Terrible school! Student problems were just swept under the rug by administration. Countless times my daughter came home with stories of drugs, police, suicide threats, cutting, rumors... My daughter hated it so much she started to cut as well. The teachers never had time for her and she struggled and was pushed through to 9th grade where she failed again. Thank God last minutewe were able to get my younger daughter in to a charter school. She had just about lost all her passion for school after Nelson Elementary. She is an amazing student and I truly felt Frontier would have ruined her. Now we are struggling with my oldest to get her caught up on credits in HS so she can graduate on time. Thanks Frontier!

Posted: February 25, 2015

I have to say the teachers at this school are amazing. This is the first time that my son has been in a school where the teachers have really invested themselves in his education and made an effort to work with me as a team to ensure that he is doing well. I appreciate the classes offered for highly capable kids as well. Communication has been great from teachers to other staff members such as the counselor and front office staff. My one and only complaint is the lack of club options for the kids to attend after school.

Posted: October 5, 2014

Best middle school I have 2 of my 5 at frontier and have found the staff to be exceptional! Teachers are helpful, kind, and genuinely have the kinds best interest at heart! The office staff is prompt in returning calls or helping get answers! The school is clean, and organized. My kids have and still enjoy attending!

Posted: August 10, 2014

This is not a good school. Worst mistake I made was moving to this school's area.I had 2 kids attend here . They had to deal with bullies and teachers saying they wish they could quit. Front office was unhelpful and rude.

Posted: October 9, 2013

I think it is one of the best schools I have ever went to. They have a wide choice of extra curricular activities that you can do. From cooking to robots, yearbook to sports. So many choices. You will not be disappointed! For teacher's are also very good with the students. They do hands on work and always find a way to make it interesting. At lunch you have about five choices so you will always find something you like. You can join band and orchestra if you are in 7th grade after that you can not. If you are just starting an instrument and your in 7th grade then you can also join band and orchestra. Choir is open to anybody of any grade at any time. The school does have good discipline. If it's talking constantly then you processed. All that is, is you fill out a piece of paper and then you come back in class. If you won't stop after two times of that the you get detention. For detention you can get after school, or lunch detention. Over all it is a wonderful school. The teacher will push you till you are working at the best of your ablates. You will not be disappointed if you child(children) go there.

Posted: September 2, 2013

I went there for 3 years. The school is run down, the administration has failed, not only its students, but most of the original teachers hate it and think this it is ridiculous. There is black mold and nasty muck in the tiling in the bathroom and on the stage. Wouldn't wish this school upon my worst enemy.

Reviews provided by GreatSchools

# Name Type City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Lost Creek Neighborhood/Subdivision Graham WA 0.8 mi
2 Silver Creek Neighborhood/Subdivision Puyallup WA 2.3 mi
3 Gem Heights Neighborhood/Subdivision Puyallup WA 3.4 mi
4 Hawaiian Village Apartment Complex Lakewood WA 14.9 mi
5 Stadium District Neighborhood/Subdivision Tacoma WA 16.4 mi
6 Clocktower Neighborhood/Subdivision DuPont WA 16.8 mi
7 North End Neighborhood/Subdivision Tacoma WA 17.3 mi
8 Tahoma Meadows Neighborhood/Subdivision Yelm WA 17.6 mi
9 westridge apartments Apartment Complex Tacoma WA 17.8 mi
10 Avonlea Neighborhood/Subdivision Lacey WA 25.6 mi
11 Woodsmuir Neighborhood/Subdivision Olympia WA 26.2 mi
12 The Carriages at Fairwood Downs Apartment Complex Renton WA 27.6 mi
13 McCormick Woods Neighborhood/Subdivision Port Orchard WA 36 mi
14 The Ridge at McCormick Woods Neighborhood/Subdivision Port Orchard WA 36.4 mi
15 Manette Neighborhood/Subdivision Bremerton WA 38.5 mi
16 Kitsap Lake Neighborhood/Subdivision Bremerton WA 40.5 mi
17 Blueberry Meadows Neighborhood/Subdivision Bremerton WA 41.9 mi
18 Fairway Lane Apartment Complex Bremerton WA 42 mi
# Name City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Black Diamond Black Diamond WA 22 mi
2 Maple Valley Maple Valley WA 24.1 mi
3 Stonegate Olympia WA 25.5 mi
4 Port Orchard Port Orchard WA 37.2 mi
5 Downtown Seattle Seattle WA 37.9 mi
6 Bainbridge Island Bainbridge Island WA 40.8 mi
7 East Bremerton Bremerton WA 42.8 mi
Base Distance
McChord AFB 10.8 mi.
Fort Lewis 12.9 mi.
Coast Guard Seattle 36.9 mi.
Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton 38.8 mi.
Naval Base Kitsap Bangor 49.7 mi.
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