Skip to main content

Below Average

#1188 of 1,280 schools in IA

Callanan Middle School

Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

3010 Center Street, Des Moines, IA 50312

Enrollment

543

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#53 of 64

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#236 of 248

In district

#49 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

About Callanan Middle School

Callanan Middle School is a regular public school located in Des Moines, Iowa. It serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 543 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. The dedicated staff includes 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students.

Academically, Callanan Middle School has room for improvement according to the MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of 9th percentile among Iowa schools. On standardized tests, 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 47% are proficient or above in Math, and 48% are proficient or above in Science. The school is focusing on enhancing its academic offerings to better support its diverse student population.

Callanan Middle School is situated in a mid-size city setting, providing students with opportunities to engage within their community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51%
Math vs. State Avg-27.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Callanan Middle School — Students at Callanan Middle School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.8%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
51%
2025
Math
44.3%
ELA
51.3%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Callanan Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in IA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

3010 Center Street, Des Moines, IA 50312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Callanan Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Merrill Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brody Middle School (rated 2.8/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Ruby Van Meter Des Moines 0.1 mi 5.1
Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines 0.8 mi 6.8
Hubbell Elementary Des Moines 0.9 mi 7.2
Downtown School Des Moines 1.0 mi 6.2
Virtual Campus Des Moines 1.0 mi 3.5
Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines 1.0 mi 5.7
ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 1.1 mi 5.2
Roosevelt High School Des Moines 1.0 mi 6.5
King Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 7.2
Monroe Elementary School Des Moines 1.6 mi 7.3
Perkins Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 5.0
BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines 1.5 mi 8.2
Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines 1.7 mi 5.5
Walnut Street School Des Moines 1.6 mi 5.0
Merrill Middle School Des Moines 1.7 mi 6.0
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 7.6
Brody Middle School Des Moines 2.4 mi 2.8
HOLY TRINITY Des Moines 2.3 mi 6.7
Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines 2.0 mi 6.7
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 2.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,720

Median Home Value

$274,400

Median Rent

$1,057/mo

Population

15,492

College Educated

61.9%

Homeownership

64.5%

Avg Commute

15.8 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

40.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Callanan Middle School has a median household income of $82,720. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,400, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.3
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport, IA 4.3
Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA 4.4
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.0
Solon Middle School Solon, IA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Callanan Middle School

What grades does Callanan Middle School serve?

Callanan Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Callanan Middle School?

Callanan Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 543 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Callanan Middle School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Callanan Middle School rank in IA?

Callanan Middle School is ranked #1188 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Callanan Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Callanan Middle School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Callanan Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Callanan Middle School has 46.8% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Callanan Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Callanan Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

74.0% of students at Callanan 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 (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
543
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#49 of 59

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.