Needs Improvement
#1200 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
3.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
598
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
3.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,200 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#46 of 64
public schools
In district
#41 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Brody Middle School
Middle School in Des Moines · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jefferson Elementary School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Des Moines Adventist School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Brody Middle School
Brody Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Brody Middle School serves approximately 598 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Brody Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,200 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Brody Middle School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.0
- IA avg 6.7
What Parents Should Know
52% of students at Brody 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Brody Middle School — Students at Brody Middle School score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
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 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.3/10.
How Brody Middle School Compares
See how Brody Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.1 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 | 3.4 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 2.5 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 2.1 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 2.5 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 2.6 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Berg Middle School Newton, IA | 3.3 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines, IA | 3.1 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines, IA | 3.6 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines, IA | 2.9 |
| Wood Intermediate Davenport, IA | 3.7 |
| Edward Stone Middle School Burlington, IA | 2.8 |
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 ranks #1,200 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Brody Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Brody 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 Brody Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Brody Middle School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.0%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8443
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #41 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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