- Enrollment
- 1,796
- Students per teacher
- 23:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Renton, WA
Nelsen Middle School
Federal NCES profile for Nelsen Middle School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 30/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 530723001070
👥 S:T ratio 17
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 39
📋 Attendance 33
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Nelsen Middle School earns 30/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 83% of Washington schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Washington schools.
- #4 of 4
- middle schools in Renton · Resource Index
- 30
- Resource Index · Lower
- 20.8:1
- large classes for Washington
- 50.6%
- free-lunch eligible
Nelsen Middle School has class sizes larger than 83% of Washington schools. Computed live against every Washington school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Nelsen Middle School ranks #4 of 4 middle schools in Renton, WA.
School address
District: Renton School District · Washington
NCES ID 530723001070 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-22 students YoY
Nelsen Middle School held near 882 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-22 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 44.9 → 41.2 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-22 students YoY 530723001070 · Renton, WA Middle · MID · TRAD
913 enr · 20.8:1 · 50.6% lunch · RII 30
Nearest enrollment peer: Hazen Senior High School (1,796 students)
Nelsen Middle School held near 882 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-22 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 44.9 → 41.2 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Washington schools → · Find another →
Nelsen Middle School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Hazen Senior H
Hazen Senior High School
1,796 students
- Renton Senior
Renton Senior High School
1,208 students
- Lindbergh Seni
Lindbergh Senior High School
1,201 students
- This school
Nelsen Middle School
913 students
- Mcknight Middl
Mcknight Middle School
811 students
- Vera Risdon Mi
Vera Risdon Middle School
751 students
What this shows Nelsen Middle School reports 913 students on the CCD universe file.
How Nelsen Middle School compares
Nelsen Middle School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Washington and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Washington | Washington avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 20.8:1 | ▲ 18% | 17.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 50.6% | ▲ 12% | 45.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 913 | top 8% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20.8:1
Leaner classes than 13% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
913
Bigger than 89% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
50.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 12% 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
20.8:1
students per teacher
- 18% above state mean
Top 83% in Washington - lower ratio than 17% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
26.7%
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
$19,241
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
Counselors3.0 FTE
Per 304 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
55
in-school suspensions + 52 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 6.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 11.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 9 expulsions.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 26.6%
Asian 26.5%
White 19.5%
African American 15.9%
Two or More 9.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 1.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 26.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 78.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 78.7, Nelsen Middle School is more mixed than the Washington school average of 53.3.
Programs
District finance for Renton School District reports $19,241 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Nelsen Middle School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazen Senior High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Renton Senior High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Lindbergh Senior High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Mcknight Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Vera Risdon Middle School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Nelsen Middle School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,208
- Students per teacher
- 21.2:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 1,201
- Students per teacher
- 20.4:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 811
- Students per teacher
- 18.9:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
- Enrollment
- 751
- Students per teacher
- 20.3:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
Similar middle schools in Renton
3 comparable middle schools (grades 6-8) serving the same city.
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 (~913 students)
Frequently asked questions about Nelsen Middle School
How many students attend Nelsen Middle School?
Nelsen Middle School has 913 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Renton, WA. CCD year-over-year: 904 (2022-23) → 882 (2023-24), nearly flat (-22).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelsen Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nelsen Middle School is 20.8:1, which is 18% higher than the Washington average of 17.6:1 and 32% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Nelsen Middle School?
50.6% of students at Nelsen Middle School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Washington average of 45.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Nelsen Middle School?
The largest demographic group at Nelsen Middle School is Hispanic or Latino at 26.6% of enrollment, in Renton, WA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 78.7/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Nelsen Middle School?
Nelsen Middle School has a Resource Investment Index of 30/100 (lower 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 Nelsen Middle School rank among middle schools in Renton?
By Resource Investment Index, Nelsen Middle School ranks #4 of 4 middle schools in Renton, 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 Renton on the city page.
What other schools are in Renton School District?
Besides Nelsen Middle School, Renton School District also operates Hazen Senior High School (1,796 students), Renton Senior High School (1,208 students), and Lindbergh Senior High School (1,201 students). See the Renton School District district page for the complete list.