Needs Improvement
#1274 of 1,280 schools in IA
Brody Middle School
Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2501 Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321
Enrollment
598
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
2.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
598
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
2.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#64 of 64
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#248 of 248
In district
#59 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
About Brody Middle School
Brody Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 598 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is ideal for a mid-size city environment, offering a balanced mix of urban amenities and community support.
While Brody Middle School's academic performance currently shows room for improvement—its MySchoolScout Rating is 2.1 out of 10 and it ranks at the 2nd percentile among Iowa schools—it continues to focus on student development and growth. Students perform around average in ELA/Reading, with 54% being proficient or above, while 50% are proficient or above in Math and 51% in Science. Located in a vibrant city setting, Brody Middle School is part of the Des Moines community, where it plays an important role in educating young minds.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Brody Middle School — Students at Brody Middle School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 2.3/10.
How Brody Middle School Compares
See how Brody Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 49% (2022).
Location
2501 Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Brody Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hubbell Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.2 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,636
Median Home Value
$294,100
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
Population
7,787
College Educated
41.2%
Homeownership
60.5%
Avg Commute
19.7 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Brody Middle School has a median household income of $77,636. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,100, with a median rent of $1,098/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Harding Middle School Des Moines, IA | 3.2 |
| Berg Middle School Newton, IA | 4.0 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.0 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Brody Middle School
What grades does Brody Middle School serve?
Brody Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Brody Middle School?
Brody Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 598 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Brody Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Brody Middle School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Brody Middle School rank in IA?
Brody Middle School is ranked #1274 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Brody Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Brody Middle School has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Brody Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brody Middle School has 49.9% math proficiency and 53.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Brody Middle School a charter school?
No, Brody Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Brody Middle School a Title I school?
No, Brody Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brody Middle School?
64.5% of students at Brody 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
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 598
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8443
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #59 of 59
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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