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Average

#555 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 43% in state

Chariton Middle School

Middle School · Chariton Comm School District

1300 N 16th, Chariton, IA 50049

Enrollment

288

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chariton

#2 of 4

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#113 of 248

In district

#2 of 4

Chariton Comm School District

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Chariton Middle School

Chariton Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Chariton, Iowa. Serving students in grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 288 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Chariton Middle School is rated 5.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it as the 725th best school in Iowa among 1,288 schools, placing it in the 44th percentile.

Specifically, 74% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 69% achieve proficiency or higher in Math, and a strong 78% reach proficiency or better in Science. Although Chariton Middle School has room for academic growth, it provides a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers who ensure individual attention. The school is situated in a remote rural area where students benefit from a close-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Chariton Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70%
Math vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.7 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,098

Chariton Middle School — Students at Chariton Middle School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.5%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 73.9%
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
73%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
71.9%
ELA
76%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Chariton Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in IA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

1300 N 16th, Chariton, IA 50049

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chariton Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Southeast Warren Intermediate (rated 7.8/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Lacona), which scores notably higher. Another option is Knoxville Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 22.3 miles away, in nearby Knoxville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Indianola Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 25.4 miles away, in nearby Indianola), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chariton, see our Chariton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Van Allen Elementary School Chariton 0.5 mi 6.4
Chariton High School Chariton 0.8 mi 6.6
Columbus Elementary School Chariton 1.1 mi 6.4
Southeast Warren Intermediate Lacona 11.9 mi 7.8
Melcher-Dallas High School Melcher 13.8 mi 6.8
Melcher-Dallas Elementary Dallas 14.7 mi 7.2
Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School Liberty Center 15.3 mi 7.1
Mormon Trail Elementary School Humeston 15.4 mi 7.8
Mormon Trail Jr-Sr High School Humeston 15.4 mi 4.6
Wayne Community Jr-Sr High School Corydon 18.8 mi 8.1
Wayne Elementary School Corydon 19.2 mi 5.9
Southeast Warren Primary Milo 19.2 mi 8.1
Knoxville High School Knoxville 22.2 mi 4.5
Knoxville Middle School Knoxville 22.3 mi 7.4
West Elementary Knoxville 22.4 mi 5.4
Pleasantville High School Pleasantville 24.8 mi 6.3
Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville 24.8 mi 5.8
Pleasantville Elementary Pleasantville 24.9 mi 6.3
Northstar Elementary School Knoxville 23.5 mi 6.5
Indianola Middle School Indianola 25.4 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50049 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,750

Median Home Value

$123,700

Median Rent

$731/mo

Population

6,425

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

17.6 min

Poverty Rate

17.5%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chariton Middle School has a median household income of $66,750. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,700, with a median rent of $731/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca, IA 6.6
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton, IA 6.6
Norway Elementary School Norway, IA 6.6
Sumner-Fredericksburg Middle School Fredericksburg, IA 6.6
Woodside Middle School Des Moines, IA 6.6
Pella Middle School Pella, IA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chariton Middle School

What grades does Chariton Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Chariton Middle School?

Chariton Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 288 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Chariton Middle School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chariton Middle School rank in IA?

Chariton Middle School is ranked #555 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Chariton Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chariton Middle School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Chariton Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chariton Middle School has 69.5% math proficiency and 73.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chariton Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Chariton Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

54.5% of students at Chariton 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

County Safety
Elevated (910/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Lucas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chariton Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,298
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,128
District Rank
#2 of 4

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

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