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Excellent

#118 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 9% in state

Ballard Middle School

Middle School · Ballard Comm School District

509 N Main Ave, Huxley, IA 50124

Enrollment

409

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

8.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#118 of 1,280

In Huxley

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Ballard Comm School District

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Ballard Middle School

8.4/10

Middle School in Huxley · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ballard High School

6.7/10

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

Ballard East Elementary

8.3/10

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

About Ballard Middle School

Ballard Middle School is a public middle school in Huxley, IA, part of Ballard Comm School District. Ballard Middle School serves approximately 409 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #118 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Ballard Middle School show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Ballard 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 Progress9.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87.9% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency86.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.7 pts
Overall Proficiency87% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)86% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment6.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,339
Chronic Absenteeism13.4%

Ballard Middle School — Students at Ballard Middle School score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 82.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
81%
ELA
81%
2015
Math
81%
ELA
85%
2016
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
81%
ELA
85%
2019
Math
81%
ELA
85%
2020*
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
87.9%
ELA
86.4%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Ballard Middle School Compares

See how Ballard Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
91th percentile in IA
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

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

509 N Main Ave, Huxley, IA 50124

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballard Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Polk Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Alleman), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ames Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Ames), a more accessible option. For more schools in Huxley, see our Huxley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ballard High School Huxley 0.5 mi 6.7
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge 3.2 mi 8.3
Ballard West Elementary Slater 3.8 mi 8.2
North Polk Middle School Alleman 5.5 mi 7.5
North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman 5.6 mi 8.4
North Polk High School Alleman 5.7 mi 6.3
Mitchell Elementary School Ames 6.4 mi 6.3
AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames 7.7 mi 6.5
Ames Middle School Ames 8.6 mi 5.7
Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny 9.4 mi 5.2
Edwards Elementary School Ames 9.1 mi 6.2
Meeker Elementary School Ames 9.9 mi 5.6
Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny 10.0 mi 7.1
Ames High School Ames 9.9 mi 5.2
Fellows Elementary School Ames 10.1 mi 6.3
Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny 10.2 mi 5.5
Big Creek Elementary Polk City 9.5 mi 7.6
Northwood Pre-School Ames 10.6 mi 4.3
Northeast Elementary Ankeny 10.6 mi 7.5
Sawyer Elementary School Ames 10.1 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,974

Median Home Value

$299,900

Median Rent

$1,260/mo

Population

4,730

College Educated

58.3%

Homeownership

84.2%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

3.1%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt, IA 8.4
Denison Middle School Denison, IA 8.5
Nevada Middle School Nevada, IA 8.5
Sheldon Middle School Sheldon, IA 8.3
Center Point-Urbana Middle School Center Point, IA 8.6
Central DeWitt Intermediate School Dewitt, IA 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballard Middle School

What grades does Ballard Middle School serve?

Ballard Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ballard Middle School?

Ballard Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballard Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballard Middle School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballard Middle School rank in IA?

Ballard Middle School ranks #118 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Ballard Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballard Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Ballard Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballard Middle School has 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ballard Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Ballard Middle School a Title I school?

No, Ballard Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballard Middle School?

16.1% of students at Ballard 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
58 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Story County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

District

Ballard Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,960
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,339
District Rank
#1 of 4

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