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Very Good

#160 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 12% 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

7.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurelia

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#26 of 248

In district

#3 of 4

Alta-Aurelia Comm School District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Alta-aurelia Middle School

Alta-Aurelia Middle School serves grades 5 through 8 in Aurelia, Iowa, with an enrollment of 240 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1. This rural middle school ranks in Iowa's top 20 percent, placing #221 out of 1,288 schools statewide and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. Academically, Alta-Aurelia shows particular strength in science, where 82% of students perform at or above proficiency levels.

Reading performance is also solid, with 80% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. Math proficiency sits at 74%, indicating an area where some students are developing skills. Overall, the school's academic score of 6.6 reflects competent instruction across core subjects with room for continued growth.

With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable class environment that supports individualized attention. The intimate size typical of rural schools often fosters closer relationships between students and staff, creating a community-focused learning setting. Located in rural Cherokee County, Alta-Aurelia Middle School serves students in a close-knit area where school plays a central role in community life.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Alta-aurelia Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78%
Math vs. State Avg-4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.3 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,205

Alta-aurelia Middle School — Students at Alta-aurelia Middle School score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

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 74.0%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 80.2%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
73%
ELA
67%
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: 8.5/10.

How Alta-aurelia Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
88th percentile in IA
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

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. Sioux Central Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), a more accessible option. Another option is Cherokee Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), a more accessible option. Additionally, Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 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 8.9
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee 7.1 mi 5.8
Cherokee Middle School Cherokee 7.1 mi 5.8
Washington High School Cherokee 7.1 mi 6.1
Alta Elementary School Alta 7.2 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 7.2 mi 7.5
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 14.3 mi 5.8
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 11.0 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 11.2 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 11.2 mi 4.6
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 12.8 mi 5.6
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 12.8 mi 2.4
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 13.2 mi 7.7
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 16.6 mi 6.3
Ridge View High School Holstein 16.6 mi 5.0
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 16.4 mi 9.2
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 18.0 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 18.0 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 18.0 mi 6.8
River Valley Elementary Washta 17.7 mi 7.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alta-aurelia Middle School has a median household income of $70,761. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,700, with a median rent of $754/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School Aplington, IA 7.8
DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto, IA 7.8
MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton, IA 7.8
Monticello Middle School Monticello, IA 7.8
New Hampton Middle School New Hampton, IA 7.8
Okoboji Middle School Milford, IA 7.8

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 is ranked #160 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

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

Alta-aurelia Middle School has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

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

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alta-aurelia Middle School has 74.0% math proficiency and 80.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (43/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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