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
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Alta-aurelia Middle School — Students at Alta-aurelia Middle School score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 78% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (712) 434-5595
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alta-Aurelia Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 822
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,724
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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