Skip to main content

Average

#971 of 1,280 schools in IA

Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School

Middle School · Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District

300 3rd Ave NE, Clarion, IA 50525

Enrollment

195

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clarion

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#202 of 248

In district

#2 of 3

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District

About Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Clarion, Iowa, within Wright County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 195 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1, the school offers a fairly personalized educational experience with 11 full-time equivalent teachers.

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School’s academic performance shows that in English Language Arts/Reading, 72% of students are proficient or above; in Math, 78% are proficient or above; and in Science, 69% are proficient or above. The school has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and is ranked #726 out of 1288 schools statewide, placing it around the 44th percentile. The school’s setting is in a remote rural area, offering students a close-knit community feel with smaller class sizes and dedicated staff who focus on student development.

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School sits at 300 3rd Ave NE, providing a supportive environment for its middle schoolers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 195 students, Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Clarion-goldfield-dows 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 Progress5.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63%
Math vs. State Avg+3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,460

Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School — Students at Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.7%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 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
78%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
63%
2025
Math
78.4%
ELA
73.6%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School Compares

See how Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
24th percentile in IA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

300 3rd Ave NE, Clarion, IA 50525

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Webster City Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Webster City), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Hancock Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Kanawha), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Robert Blue School (rated 4.0/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Eagle Grove), a more accessible option. For more schools in Clarion, see our Clarion schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion 0.0 mi 6.7
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion 0.5 mi 5.3
Belmond-Klemme Alternative School Belmond 9.6 mi
Belmond-Klemme Community Jr-Sr High School Belmond 10.1 mi 7.3
Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Belmond 10.2 mi 3.8
Eagle Grove High School Eagle Grove 10.2 mi 6.3
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 10.5 mi 4.0
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 10.5 mi 5.7
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha 14.2 mi 7.4
Northeast Hamilton Elementary School Webster City 18.3 mi 4.8
ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Webster City 19.2 mi 6.5
Webster City Middle School Webster City 19.2 mi 7.6
Sunset Heights Elementary School Webster City 19.5 mi 7.8
Webster City High School Webster City 19.4 mi 5.9
Pleasant View Elementary School Webster City 19.7 mi 7.1
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer 18.3 mi 6.5
CAL Elementary School Latimer 18.3 mi 8.9
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 25.0 mi 7.9
West Hancock High School Britt 25.1 mi 8.3
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner 25.2 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,875

Median Home Value

$117,300

Median Rent

$763/mo

Population

3,196

College Educated

25.1%

Homeownership

69%

Poverty Rate

13%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School has a median household income of $59,875. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,300, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
West Branch Middle School West Branch, IA 5.4
Rock Valley Middle School Rock Valley, IA 5.5
Treynor Middle School Treynor, IA 5.6
Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills, IA 5.8
Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville, IA 5.8
Woodward-Granger Middle School Woodward, IA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School

What grades does Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School serve?

Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School?

Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 195 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School rank in IA?

Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School is ranked #971 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School has 77.7% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School a charter school?

No, Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School a Title I school?

No, Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clarion-goldfield-dows Middle School?

45.6% of students at Clarion-goldfield-dows 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
Average (661/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clarion). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
195
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Wright County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,010
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,007
District Rank
#2 of 3

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.