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
Enrollment
823
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Berg Middle School — Students at Berg Middle School score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.1/10.
How Berg Middle School Compares
See how Berg Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 54% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 59% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (641) 792-7741
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newton Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,770
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,371
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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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