- Enrollment
- 989
- Students per teacher
- 16:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Tacoma, WA
Morris Ford Middle School
Federal NCES profile for Morris Ford Middle School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 49/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 530294000479
👥 S:T ratio 37
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 58
📋 Attendance 32
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Morris Ford Middle School earns 49/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Washington median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Washington schools.
- #2 of 14
- middle schools in Tacoma · Resource Index
- 49
- Resource Index · Higher
- 15.7:1
- students per teacher
- 54.9%
- free-lunch eligible
Morris Ford Middle School has class sizes near the Washington median. Computed live against every Washington school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Morris Ford Middle School ranks #2 of 14 middle schools in Tacoma, WA.
School address
District: Franklin Pierce School District · Washington
NCES ID 530294000479 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-62 students YoY
Morris Ford Middle School shrank from 882 students in 2022-23 to 820 in 2023-24 (-7.0%).
Teacher FTE lost 53.0 → 51.2 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-62 students YoY 530294000479 · Tacoma, WA Middle · MID · TRAD
831 enr · 15.7:1 · 54.9% lunch · RII 49
Nearest enrollment peer: Washington High School (989 students)
Morris Ford Middle School shrank from 882 students in 2022-23 to 820 in 2023-24 (-7.0%). Teacher FTE lost 53.0 → 51.2 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Washington schools → · Find another →
Morris Ford Middle School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Washington Hig
Washington High School
989 students
- Franklin Pierc
Franklin Pierce High School
977 students
- This school
Morris Ford Middle School
831 students
- Perry G Keithl
Perry G Keithley Middle School
804 students
- Brookdale Elem
Brookdale Elementary
483 students
- Collins Elemen
Collins Elementary
466 students
What this shows Morris Ford Middle School reports 831 students on the CCD universe file.
How Morris Ford Middle School compares
Morris Ford Middle School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Washington and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Washington | Washington avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.7:1 | ▼ 11% | 17.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 54.9% | ▲ 22% | 45.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 831 | top 10% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.7:1
Leaner classes than 41% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
831
Bigger than 87% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
54.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 22% above the Washington average of 45.0%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.7:1
students per teacher
- 11% below state mean
Top 42% in Washington - lower ratio than 58% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
27.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$19,065
per pupil, district-wide
- below Washington avg of $20,912
Somewhat above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors4.0 FTE
Per 208 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
46
in-school suspensions + 156 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 5.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 24.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 35.1%
White 27.9%
Two or More 13.6%
African American 9.7%
Asian 7.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 5.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 35.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 76.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 76.3, Morris Ford Middle School is more mixed than the Washington school average of 53.3.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Franklin Pierce School District reports $19,065 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Morris Ford Middle School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Franklin Pierce High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Perry G Keithley Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Brookdale Elementary | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Collins Elementary | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Morris Ford Middle School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 977
- Students per teacher
- 15.3:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 804
- Students per teacher
- 18.3:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 483
- Students per teacher
- 15.6:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
- Enrollment
- 466
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Similar middle schools in Tacoma
6 comparable middle schools (grades 6-8) serving the same city.
Spanaway Middle School
Standard public school
766 students 22.5:1 students per teacher
Baker Middle School
Standard public school
687 students 19.1:1 students per teacher
Stewart Middle School
Standard public school
650 students 20.3:1 students per teacher
Mason Middle School
Standard public school
639 students 20.6:1 students per teacher
First Creek Middle School
Standard public school
584 students 17.2:1 students per teacher
Meeker Middle School
Standard public school
567 students 19.6:1 students per teacher
Nationwide middle schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~831 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~15.7:1)
Frequently asked questions about Morris Ford Middle School
How many students attend Morris Ford Middle School?
Morris Ford Middle School has 831 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Tacoma, WA. CCD year-over-year: 882 (2022-23) → 820 (2023-24), down 62.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Morris Ford Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Morris Ford Middle School is 15.7:1, which is 11% lower than the Washington average of 17.6:1 and 0% higher than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Morris Ford Middle School?
54.9% of students at Morris Ford Middle School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Washington average of 45.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Morris Ford Middle School?
The largest demographic group at Morris Ford Middle School is Hispanic or Latino at 35.1% of enrollment, in Tacoma, WA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 76.3/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Morris Ford Middle School?
Morris Ford Middle School has a Resource Investment Index of 49/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Morris Ford Middle School rank among middle schools in Tacoma?
By Resource Investment Index, Morris Ford Middle School ranks #2 of 14 middle schools in Tacoma, WA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Tacoma on the city page.
What other schools are in Franklin Pierce School District?
Besides Morris Ford Middle School, Franklin Pierce School District also operates Washington High School (989 students), Franklin Pierce High School (977 students), and Perry G Keithley Middle School (804 students). See the Franklin Pierce School District district page for the complete list.