Very Good
#158 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 12% in state
Desoto Intermediate School
Middle School · Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District
317 Spruce St, Desoto, IA 50069
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa middle schools
#25 of 248
In district
#2 of 5
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Desoto Intermediate School
DeSoto Intermediate School is a regular public middle school located in DeSoto, Iowa, in Dallas County. Serving students from fifth through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 333 students and employs 25 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1. The school's setting is rural, providing a close-knit community atmosphere.
DeSoto Intermediate School boasts solid academic performance with 80% proficiency or above in both ELA/Reading and Math, and 77% proficiency in Science. These scores reflect the school’s commitment to student development and achievement. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranking at #249 among Iowa's 1288 schools, DeSoto Intermediate School is well-regarded for its academic standards and supportive learning environment.
Located in a rural area, the school offers students a serene setting that fosters a strong sense of community and engagement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Desoto Intermediate 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Desoto Intermediate School — Students at Desoto Intermediate School score 76% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Desoto Intermediate School Compares
See how Desoto Intermediate School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 71% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 80% (2022).
Location
317 Spruce St, Desoto, IA 50069
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desoto Intermediate School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ADM Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Adel), with a very similar rating. Another option is Waukee Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Waukee), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Van Meter Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Van Meter), a more accessible option. For more schools in Desoto, see our Desoto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Van Meter Elementary School Van Meter | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Van Meter High School Van Meter | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Van Meter Middle School Van Meter | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Meadow View Elementary Adel | 5.0 mi | 6.0 |
| ADM Senior High School Adel | 5.1 mi | 7.1 |
| ADM Middle School Adel | 5.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Adel Elementary School Adel | 6.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Earlham Elementary School Earlham | 6.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Earlham Senior High School Earlham | 6.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Earlham Middle School Earlham | 6.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee | 6.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Waukee Elementary School Waukee | 7.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee | 8.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Timberline School Waukee | 8.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Dallas Center Elementary Grimes | 10.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Northwest High School Waukee | 8.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School Grimes | 10.3 mi | 5.8 |
| South Middle School Waukee | 8.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Waukee Middle School Waukee | 8.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Waukee High School Waukee | 8.8 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50069 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,208
Median Home Value
$216,800
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
1,024
College Educated
27.5%
Homeownership
88.7%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Median Age
34.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desoto Intermediate School has a median household income of $95,208. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,800, with a median rent of $933/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia, IA | 7.8 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton, IA | 7.8 |
| Monticello Middle School Monticello, IA | 7.8 |
| New Hampton Middle School New Hampton, IA | 7.8 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford, IA | 7.8 |
| Atlantic Middle School Atlantic, IA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desoto Intermediate School
What grades does Desoto Intermediate School serve?
Desoto Intermediate School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.
How many students attend Desoto Intermediate School?
Desoto Intermediate School has an enrollment of approximately 333 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desoto Intermediate School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desoto Intermediate School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desoto Intermediate School rank in IA?
Desoto Intermediate School is ranked #158 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Desoto Intermediate School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desoto Intermediate School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Desoto Intermediate School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desoto Intermediate School has 79.7% math proficiency and 80.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desoto Intermediate School a charter school?
No, Desoto Intermediate School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desoto Intermediate School a Title I school?
No, Desoto Intermediate School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desoto Intermediate School?
22.5% of students at Desoto Intermediate 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 333
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dallas County
- Phone
- (515) 834-2424
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,295
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,402
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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