Welcome to Chinook Middle School!

  • Welcome to Chinook Middle School! We opened in 1961 and serve grades 6-8 in Olympia and Lacey, Washington. We have a history of excellence and strive every day to be our best. Learn more about our history, our goals, and how we have what we call Orca Pride.

Unique things we do at Chinook

  • Chinook is a very diverse community where we welcome all students, no matter their background, and strive to educate the “whole child.”

    In addition to our academic and after-school athletic programs, we have several active clubs at Chinook, including our Ecology, Robotics, and Drama clubs. Extra academic support for students is available before and after school. Our performing arts programs are second to none—we offer outstanding choir, band, and orchestra classes that perform and compete locally.

    At Chinook, we are committed to the belief that it is important to teach our students to become “contributing citizens” in their community. Once a year, Chinook students and staff will join together for our “Contributing Citizen Day” and get involved in various community service projects, both on campus and around our neighborhood. Students will be volunteering at our feeder elementary schools, cleaning up and preparing local gardens for spring planting, knitting hats for newborns, and so much more.

Current Goals

  • Continuous Growth Goal:

    • Increase the percentage of students obtaining a level 3 score or better on the SBA from 30.3% to 40% overall across grades 6, 7, and 8.

    Empowered Learners Goal:

    • Reduce the percentage of chronically absent students from 47.3% in quarter 4 of the school year 2021-22 to 30% or less in quarter 4 of the school year 2022-23.

    Download the whole School Improvement Plan >> (PDF) Updated spring 2023

School Mission

  • Mission: “Cultivating CRITICAL THINKERS and CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS for a BETTER WORLD!” Chinook has a school-wide emphasis on reinforcing common behavior expectations we call “The Orca Way.” Students are expected to follow the Orca Way traits: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful.

Partners in Education

Community Feedback

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Budget

Statistics

  • To view Enrollment Statistics, Demographics, and State Test Scores, view the Washington OSPI Report Card.

Chinook's Building History

  • Chinook Middle School was built in 1961 on 35.6 acres. It is located at 4301 6th Avenue NE in Lacey. In 2008 early site work was completed for an extensive upgrade, including the addition of an 8-classroom modular building. In 2009- 2010, a major modernization and addition was completed, utilizing 2006 bond and state assistance funds. A prominent, inviting main entry was created, allowing an abundance of natural light to shine through. The interior and exterior of the building were modernized, the commons and food services area was enlarged and illuminated with natural light, a state-of-the-art kitchen was created, all mechanical, electrical and technology were replaced or upgraded, and selective roof upgrades were completed. The 86,764 square foot building, including 36 instructional spaces, plus 17 portable class- rooms (includes 8-classroom modular build- ing) serve sixth through eighth grade.