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Below Average

#1214 of 1,280 schools in IA

Berg Middle School

Middle School · Newton Comm School District

1900 N 5th Ave East, Newton, IA 50208

Enrollment

823

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

4.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newton

#7 of 7

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#242 of 248

In district

#7 of 7

Newton Comm School District

About Berg Middle School

Berg Middle School serves grades 5 through 8 in Newton, Iowa, with an enrollment of 823 students. The school operates as a regular public school with 53 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1. Academically, Berg Middle is working with room for growth.

The school's rating of 2.8 out of 10 reflects performance challenges, and it ranks in the lower tier statewide at #1212 out of 1288 Iowa schools. Proficiency rates show mixed results across core subjects: 64 percent of students score proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 61 percent in Math, and 57 percent in Science. These figures suggest that while a solid portion of the student body is meeting grade-level standards in literacy, significant numbers of students need additional academic support in mathematics and science.

With over 800 students and modest class sizes, Berg Middle provides a manageable learning environment for the transition years between elementary and high school. The school is situated in Newton's town setting, drawing from the local community and serving families in the area. For parents considering Berg Middle, understanding the current academic landscape is important as you evaluate what additional resources or support structures might benefit your child's learning experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Math vs. State Avg-18 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment5.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,613

Berg Middle School — Students at Berg Middle School score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.8%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 64.2%
School
State
75.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
55%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
54%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
61.6%
ELA
64.9%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Berg Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
5th percentile in IA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

1900 N 5th Ave East, Newton, IA 50208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Berg Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PCM Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Prairie City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lynnville-Sully Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Sully), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
NEWTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton 0.4 mi 6.4
Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton 0.6 mi 5.2
Emerson Hough Elementary School Newton 1.0 mi 5.7
Newton Senior High School Newton 1.5 mi 4.4
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Newton 2.0 mi 6.2
WEST Academy Alternative School Newton 2.3 mi 6.2
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Newton 2.6 mi 6.5
Baxter Elementary School Baxter 10.5 mi 6.5
Baxter High School Baxter 10.5 mi 3.7
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 13.2 mi 4.0
PCM High School Monroe 13.6 mi 4.4
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel 13.3 mi 5.3
Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School Colfax 10.7 mi 7.1
Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax 11.5 mi 8.8
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 12.8 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 12.8 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 12.8 mi 6.7
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 13.3 mi 4.9
PCM Middle School Prairie City 13.0 mi 7.4
Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City 13.1 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,064

Median Home Value

$161,900

Median Rent

$830/mo

Population

20,270

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

69.3%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Berg Middle School has a median household income of $61,064. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,900, with a median rent of $830/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Callanan Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake, IA 3.8
Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport, IA 4.3
Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA 4.4
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill, IA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Berg Middle School

What grades does Berg Middle School serve?

Berg Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Berg Middle School?

Berg Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 823 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Berg Middle School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Berg Middle School rank in IA?

Berg Middle School is ranked #1214 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Berg Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Berg Middle School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Berg Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Berg Middle School has 60.8% math proficiency and 64.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Berg Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Berg Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

55.0% of students at Berg 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

City Safety
High (1,774/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
823
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Jasper County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Related reading

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