Cedarcrest Jr High School
Spanaway, WA 98387
Phone: (253) 800-7500
District: Bethel School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 6,7,8 • 783 students
Cedarcrest Jr High School, a public school located in Spanaway, WA, serves grades 6-8 in the Bethel School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 3 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Cedarcrest Jr High School is a public school located in Spanaway, WA. 783 students attend Cedarcrest Jr High School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 3/10 | 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 | 2/10 | 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. |
Worrisome patterns of chronic student absenteeism have been identified.
Posted: May 13, 2026
This school is horrible the teachers are rude and dont teach properly, The school will ignore your phone calls and dont get me started on the nurses especially Rose Muigai and Cindy they are really rude to the children they need to get fired immediately and once the students parents come in they want to act nice overall dont put your kids in CMS
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
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Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: April 21, 2025
This school isnt horrible its just a regular school. How well you do in your classes depends on you as a student and how well you do socially thats also up to you. Not all teachers are great but there are a few who are very kind hearted and they really care about the students. I know a couple teachers who have advocated for me when I wanted to redo a test or when theres an argument. Fights arent really a problem since the school personnel does pretty well in breaking things up :before: they escalate. Most fights happen after school and off campus but that isnt necessarily the schools fault. Making friends can be hard at first but throughout the year everyone kinda falls into their own friend groups. Ive never had any disciplinary problems but I have to say that the personal dont really handle most cases well. If your the type of person whos always getting in trouble there will be many consequences thay will just pile up if you keep doing it, but for the most part if you behave well and get in minimal trouble everything will be fine. Education wise I think that most teachers are good at what they teach but they can get frustrated when the students dont wanna cooperate. For the most part I think this is a pretty good school, how things go for you depend on your choices.
Posted: April 21, 2025
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Posted: November 22, 2024
It is crazy how much my daughter has been bullied in this school. Racism is a HUGE problem here. If I could change schools we would in a heartbeat.
Posted: November 22, 2024
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Posted: November 22, 2024
Posted: November 18, 2024
The school sucks it is mean to its students and the teachers give out lunch detention for being late at the beginning of the year also if you miss school you will get lunch detention I just got back from a vacation from Mexico and the gave me a slip if your kid gets send here you want to take them out quickly
Posted: November 18, 2024
Posted: November 18, 2024
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Posted: November 18, 2024
Posted: August 28, 2024
My child is a 8th grader here this year and he's been at cedarcrest since 6th grade. He personally loves it. In the two years we've been at this school we've only had one complaint. A certain teacher talks to the children very disrespectfully the principal handled that swiftly.
Posted: August 28, 2024
Posted: August 28, 2024
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Posted: November 1, 2023
Im going to this school and I want to tryout for basketball and I was sick and I was at school but didnt want to get others sick and they cut me for no reason and they didnt say that is kids had to be there
Posted: November 1, 2023
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Posted: August 30, 2019
Posted: August 30, 2019
Posted: August 30, 2019
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Posted: August 30, 2019
Teachers who are generational prove community is key to raising children!
Posted: August 30, 2019
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Posted: August 30, 2019
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Posted: August 30, 2019
Posted: August 30, 2019
Posted: August 30, 2019
Three through the doors of endless opportunities, diverse community and full of traditions and legacy!
Posted: March 25, 2019
Very poor. The administration does not communicate effectively with the parents of students. The teachers and the administration do not communicate as well. They will say one thing happened one day but say something different happened when you inquire again. My son is receiving very little help with his school work despite the IEP and there are no effective solutions presented for serious issues. But oh boy, the little issues they squash real fast.
Posted: March 25, 2019
If the student is unable to take the iPad home the teachers do not work with them for alternate solutions.
Posted: March 25, 2019
My son has an IEP and the only classes he is passing is PE and reading because the reading teacher is trained in SPED. He managed to bring his grade up in science because the teacher took pitty on him.
Posted: March 25, 2019
My kid can't figure out what's appropriate in school because the administration doesn't punish those around him for behaving inappropriately.
Posted: March 25, 2019
They will punish your child for dumb things but if they are caught with explicit content the administration acts like it never happened. Also, why are there multiple reviews from the same teacher on here?
Posted: March 25, 2019
My son is failing even with an IEP.
Posted: March 25, 2019
Fortunately my son doesn't understand he is being bullied. Unfortunately, I do. The school doesn't care because he is labeled as a "troublemaker."
Posted: September 9, 2013
Both my children transferred from Tacoma school district schools. My son went to Cedarcrest and loved it (he's now 18). This was the first school my son attended that were interested in him passing classes and helped him to succeed. My daughter now attends and she thinks the school is great and the teachers are nice. Yes, the communication could be a bit better but overall, I think it's a great school. I chose Cedarcrest over Spanaway Lake Middle School and don't have any regrets.
Posted: August 4, 2013
My daughter started 7th grade last school year and I was sKeptical at first due to the rumors that this school was the worst junior high in the district. Well the rumors proved to be wrong. My daughter had an excellent year and all of her teachers were supportive and caring. I don't doubt at one time the school was at the bottom, we lived near the school for 8 years and witnessed the constart issues. Over the years the quality of students has improved as well as the level of respect the students have towards each other, the teachers, and the school itself. The pride is back and it shows oncen. I would highly reccomend the school for those parents who are hesitant and want to transfer to another school. Be careful what you wish for, even the newer schools have their problems. I offer these words of advice, get involved and stay involved. These are some important years for your child, your presence and support will make all the difference. Heres to another great year, GO CHARGERS!!!
Posted: August 3, 2013
I have no rating for this school as of yet. Since i have to rate this school i will give it 3 stars since i know nothing about this school. We are comming from the U.P. district which is absolutely outstanding. Hoping to find the same here. The whole dress code thing is different but understandable. The reviews on cedarcrest lack of communication worries me just a little bit. Communication is a very important key to learning and success. Some students are willing to learn but have a very hard time asking for it and it should be up to those teachers to notice that and try to help them out. Right now we are trying to figure out which one of these middle schools will be the best for our children. It's between 3 schools which are Cedarcrest, Spanaway and Liberty we live right in the middle of all three schools. Hopefully we can choose the right school. Please feel free to offer any suggestions. Thank You.
Posted: July 10, 2013
I am a student at Cedarcrest, going into the 8th grade. I can honestly say that it is a great school. Many parents to disagree because their children are immature, childish, and incapable of correct behavior. Parents pull kids out of school for many reasons. The common reason for these parents are because they believe the teachers do not care. That is not true. The teachers care very much about education and student sucess. But, they will not tolerate bad behavior and will not help children who do not ask for it, and who do not care. They will help those who are willing to participate and learn. Just because your child does not wish to listen, does not mean it is right for you to judge my school, and blame my teachers. I do not appreciate this. Stop because it is not their fault your child does not wish to learn.
Posted: June 10, 2013
Cedarcrest Junior High School. No communication. Teachers don't care. Discipline is to remove a child from the classromm and give him F's. They don't work with the parents. I TOOK MY CHILD OUT AND WILL NOW HOMESCHOOL.
Posted: December 4, 2011
I have been teaching at Cedarcrest for 13+ years now, and absolutely love it here. We are an extremely diverse learning community, and quite proud of that fact. Our scores are climbing higher, our technology department is top-notch, our musical groups consistently win awards, our new robotics teacher and his robotics club have just qualified for a state competition, and won the "innovative solutions" award. Sports are doing well, but there is a general lack of desire from the students towards athletics. We have many grants awarded to our school for various programs, and most of all, we care and love our school.
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silver Creek | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Puyallup | WA | 4.9 mi | |
| 2 | Gem Heights | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Puyallup | WA | 5.1 mi | |
| 3 | Lost Creek | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Graham | WA | 6.4 mi | |
| 4 | Hawaiian Village | Apartment Complex | Lakewood | WA | 9.2 mi | |
| 5 | Clocktower | Neighborhood/Subdivision | DuPont | WA | 10.7 mi | |
| 6 | westridge apartments | Apartment Complex | Tacoma | WA | 12.6 mi | |
| 7 | Stadium District | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Tacoma | WA | 12.7 mi | |
| 8 | North End | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Tacoma | WA | 13.1 mi | |
| 9 | Tahoma Meadows | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Yelm | WA | 13.8 mi | |
| 10 | Avonlea | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Lacey | WA | 20.2 mi | |
| 11 | Woodsmuir | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Olympia | WA | 20.8 mi | |
| 12 | The Carriages at Fairwood Downs | Apartment Complex | Renton | WA | 27.9 mi | |
| 13 | McCormick Woods | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Port Orchard | WA | 31.5 mi | |
| 14 | The Ridge at McCormick Woods | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Port Orchard | WA | 32 mi | |
| 15 | Manette | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Bremerton | WA | 34.8 mi | |
| 16 | Kitsap Lake | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Bremerton | WA | 36.2 mi | |
| 17 | Fairway Lane | Apartment Complex | Bremerton | WA | 37.8 mi | |
| 18 | Blueberry Meadows | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Bremerton | WA | 38.2 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stonegate | Olympia | WA | 20.1 mi | |
| 2 | Black Diamond | Black Diamond | WA | 24.8 mi | |
| 3 | Maple Valley | Maple Valley | WA | 26 mi | |
| 4 | Port Orchard | Port Orchard | WA | 33.2 mi | |
| 5 | Downtown Seattle | Seattle | WA | 36.1 mi | |
| 6 | Bainbridge Island | Bainbridge Island | WA | 37.8 mi | |
| 7 | East Bremerton | Bremerton | WA | 39.1 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| McChord AFB | 4.6 mi. |
| Fort Lewis | 6.9 mi. |
| Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton | 34.8 mi. |
| Coast Guard Seattle | 35.1 mi. |
| Naval Base Kitsap Bangor | 45.9 mi. |
