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Needs Improvement

#1204 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

3.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,204 of 1,280

In Newton

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

Newton Comm School District

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Berg Middle School

3.3/10

Middle School in Newton · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Newton Christian School

6.4/10

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

Aurora Heights Elementary School

5.5/10

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

About Berg Middle School

Berg Middle School is a public middle school in Newton, IA, part of Newton Comm School District. Berg Middle School serves approximately 823 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Berg Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,204 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Berg Middle School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

How it compares3.4 pts below IA schools
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Berg Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-2.13 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.9% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,371
Chronic Absenteeism36.8%

Berg Middle School — Students at Berg Middle School score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

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 64.3% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 66.6% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
75.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 24 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2016
Math
79%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2020*
Math
55%
ELA
61%
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: 1.9/10.

How Berg Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
6th percentile in IA
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.8%

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

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 7.9/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Prairie City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lynnville-Sully Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 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 5.5
Emerson Hough Elementary School Newton 1.0 mi 5.3
Newton Senior High School Newton 1.5 mi 4.8
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Newton 2.0 mi 8.2
WEST Academy Alternative School Newton 2.3 mi 4.0
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Newton 2.6 mi 6.7
Baxter Elementary School Baxter 10.5 mi 8.4
Baxter High School Baxter 10.5 mi 5.1
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 13.2 mi 4.0
PCM High School Monroe 13.6 mi 5.8
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel 13.3 mi 5.3
Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School Colfax 10.7 mi 6.5
Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax 11.5 mi 6.6
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 12.8 mi 7.5
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 12.8 mi 8.6
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 12.8 mi 7.4
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 13.3 mi 4.9
PCM Middle School Prairie City 13.0 mi 7.9
Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City 13.1 mi 5.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brody Middle School Des Moines, IA 3.3
Harding Middle School Des Moines, IA 2.9
Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA 4.0
Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.1
Franklin Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.2
Callanan Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.3

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 ranks #1,204 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Berg Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Berg Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Berg Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Berg Middle School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

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

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.8%

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