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Very Good

#137 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 11% in state

Denison Middle School

Middle School · Denison Comm School District

1201 North 16th Street, Denison, IA 51442

Enrollment

490

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denison

#2 of 4

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#20 of 248

In district

#2 of 4

Denison Comm School District

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Denison Middle School

Denison Middle School, located in Denison, Iowa, serves students in grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of 490 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more personalized instruction. The school's academic performance is solid, with 74% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 72% in Math, and 80% in Science.

Denison Middle School ranks 6.8 out of 10 on the MySchoolScout rating system and holds a state ranking of 272 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 79th percentile. The school is situated in a remote town setting, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere. With room for academic growth and a dedicated staff of 33 full-time equivalent teachers, Denison Middle School provides a supportive environment that focuses on student development and success.

The school's location fosters a strong sense of community among students and families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+16.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,537

Denison Middle School — Students at Denison Middle School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.0%
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

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
69%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
69%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
76.9%
ELA
79.7%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Denison Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
89th percentile in IA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

1201 North 16th Street, Denison, IA 51442

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Denison Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. IKM-Manning Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Manning), a more accessible option. Another option is Charter Oak-Ute Junior High School (rated 6.4/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Charter Oak), a more accessible option. Additionally, Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School (rated 6.4/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Odebolt), a more accessible option. For more schools in Denison, see our Denison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Denison High School Denison 0.3 mi 6.7
Broadway Elementary School Denison 1.1 mi 6.8
Denison Elementary School Denison 1.1 mi 8.1
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denison 1.2 mi 6.5
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison 1.3 mi 5.0
Schleswig Middle School Schleswig 9.9 mi 5.6
Schleswig Elementary School Schleswig 9.9 mi 8.7
Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City 10.3 mi 7.2
Charter Oak-Ute Elementary School Charter Oak 12.5 mi 7.3
Charter Oak-Ute Junior High School Charter Oak 12.5 mi 6.4
Westside Junior-Senior High School Westside 13.2 mi 7.2
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside 13.2 mi 8.2
Irwin Elementary School Irwin 18.0 mi 6.0
Odebolt Elementary-Odebolt Odebolt 19.7 mi 8.0
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School Odebolt 19.7 mi 6.4
Boyer Valley Middle/High School Dunlap 17.6 mi 6.3
IKM-Manning Middle School Manning 17.6 mi 6.8
IKM-Manning High School Manning 17.6 mi 6.1
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove High School Ida Grove 21.7 mi 6.2
Odebolt Elementary-Ida Grove Ida Grove 22.2 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51442 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,399

Median Home Value

$146,200

Median Rent

$763/mo

Population

9,586

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

75.9%

Avg Commute

14.8 min

Poverty Rate

19.9%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Denison Middle School has a median household income of $64,399. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,200, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
ADM Middle School Adel, IA 7.9
Central DeWitt Intermediate School Dewitt, IA 7.9
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville, IA 7.9
Susan Clark Junior High Muscatine, IA 7.9
Decorah Middle School Decorah, IA 8.0
Perry Middle School Perry, IA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Denison Middle School

What grades does Denison Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Denison Middle School?

Denison Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 490 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Denison Middle School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Denison Middle School rank in IA?

Denison Middle School is ranked #137 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Denison Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Denison Middle School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Denison Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Denison Middle School has 72.0% math proficiency and 73.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Denison Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Denison Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

65.3% of students at Denison 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

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (971/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Crawford County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Denison Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,259
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,865
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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