Charles W. Orton House · Photo: Ben Cody · Public domainAlderton’s public schools outscore 88% of Washington districts
On the state math tests, 52% of Alderton’s students scored proficient, above the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Alderton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.
From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Alderton’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 276 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Alderton’s, its schools beat 93%, higher than their 88% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 66% and math 52% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,190 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cascade Christian School - McAlder Elementary (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Alderton’s grade
A: better than 88% of Washington school districts, #36 of 285 Washington towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Washington average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alderton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Alderton · depends on your address
Mountain View Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 937 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bonney Lake
Lakeridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 763 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Bonney Lake
Sumner Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 674 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Sumner
7th grade in Alderton · depends on your address
Mountain View Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 937 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bonney Lake
Lakeridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 763 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Bonney Lake
Sumner Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 674 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Sumner
8th grade in Alderton · depends on your address
Mountain View Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 937 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bonney Lake
Lakeridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 763 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Bonney Lake
Sumner Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 674 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Sumner
9th grade in Alderton · depends on your address
Sumner High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,857 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Sumner
Bonney Lake High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,643 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Bonney Lake
10th grade in Alderton · depends on your address
Sumner High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,857 students · 23:1 students per teacher · in Sumner
Bonney Lake High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,643 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Bonney Lake
Alderton’s public schools are run by Sumner School District, which also serves Bonney Lake, Pacific and Sumner. Parts of Alderton (7% of its land) are served by Puyallup instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Alderton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Alderton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Alderton | A | Sumner |
| Bonney Lake | A | Sumner |
| Sumner | A | Sumner |
| Puyallup | B+ | Puyallup |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Sumner with Alderton, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Alderton
15 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Alderton’s schools
Are Alderton’s schools good?
By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Alderton children attend outscore 88% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #36 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Alderton in?
Sumner School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,743 students in 15 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Alderton are served by Puyallup.
Where do Alderton kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Sumner High School and Bonney Lake High School.
What is Alderton’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Sumner School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Alderton spend per student?
$16,190 in Sumner School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Alderton?
Yes: Cascade Christian School - McAlder Elementary (religious, grades PK–6, 395 students).
Parents talk
What Alderton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Alderton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Washington. Stars are from neighbors.