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Excellent

#34 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 3% in state

Alta-aurelia Middle School

Middle School · Alta-Aurelia Comm School District

PO BOX 367 300 Ash St, Aurelia, IA 51005

Enrollment

240

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

9.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#34 of 1,280

In Aurelia

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Alta-Aurelia Comm School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Alta-aurelia Middle School

9.0/10

Middle School in Aurelia · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Aurelia Elementary School

8.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cherokee Elementary School

3.7/10

7.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alta-aurelia Middle School

Alta-aurelia Middle School is a public middle school in Aurelia, IA, part of Alta-Aurelia Comm School District. Alta-aurelia Middle School serves approximately 240 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Alta-aurelia Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #34 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Alta-aurelia Middle School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts above IA schools
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Alta-aurelia Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change+1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.3% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.6 pts
Overall Proficiency80% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)74% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,724
Chronic Absenteeism11.7%

Alta-aurelia Middle School — Students at Alta-aurelia Middle School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.6% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 78.6% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
75.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 20 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
73%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
79%
2022
Math
68%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
76.6%
ELA
84.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Alta-aurelia Middle School Compares

See how Alta-aurelia Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in IA
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 367 300 Ash St, Aurelia, IA 51005

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alta-aurelia Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cherokee Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), a more accessible option. Another option is Sioux Central Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), a more accessible option. Additionally, Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Galva), a more accessible option. For more schools in Aurelia, see our Aurelia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 0.0 mi 8.4
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee 7.1 mi 3.7
Cherokee Middle School Cherokee 7.1 mi 6.9
Washington High School Cherokee 7.1 mi 5.9
Alta Elementary School Alta 7.2 mi 8.9
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 7.2 mi 6.8
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 14.3 mi 5.9
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 11.0 mi 7.0
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 11.2 mi 4.7
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 11.2 mi 3.4
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 12.8 mi 3.1
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 12.8 mi 2.9
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 13.2 mi 5.2
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 16.6 mi 5.6
Ridge View High School Holstein 16.6 mi 5.9
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 16.4 mi 9.2
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 18.0 mi 6.6
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 18.0 mi 7.3
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 18.0 mi 6.3
River Valley Elementary Washta 17.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51005 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,761

Median Home Value

$171,700

Median Rent

$754/mo

Population

1,463

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

78.1%

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

51.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School Aplington, IA 9.0
MFL MarMac Middle School Mcgregor, IA 8.9
Forest City Middle School Forest City, IA 8.8
MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton, IA 8.8
Grundy Center Middle School Grundy Center, IA 9.3
Center Point-Urbana Middle School Center Point, IA 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alta-aurelia Middle School

What grades does Alta-aurelia Middle School serve?

Alta-aurelia Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Alta-aurelia Middle School?

Alta-aurelia Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alta-aurelia Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Alta-aurelia Middle School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alta-aurelia Middle School rank in IA?

Alta-aurelia Middle School ranks #34 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Alta-aurelia Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alta-aurelia Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alta-aurelia Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alta-aurelia Middle School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

Is Alta-aurelia Middle School a charter school?

No, Alta-aurelia Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alta-aurelia Middle School a Title I school?

No, Alta-aurelia Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alta-aurelia Middle School?

37.9% of students at Alta-aurelia Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cherokee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.7%

District

Alta-Aurelia Comm School District
District Enrollment
822
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,724
District Rank
#1 of 4

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