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Excellent

#185 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 14% 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

8.1

Grades

5th – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#185 of 1,280

In district

#1 of 5

Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Desoto Intermediate School

8.1/10

Middle School in Desoto · grades 5th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Van Meter Elementary School

8.2/10

3.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Van Meter High School

7.4/10

3.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desoto Intermediate School

Desoto Intermediate School is a public middle school in Desoto, IA, part of Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District. Desoto Intermediate School serves approximately 333 students, and covers grades 5th-6th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Desoto Intermediate School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #185 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Desoto Intermediate School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Desoto Intermediate School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency89.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency89.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency89% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)82% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,402
Chronic Absenteeism11.4%

Desoto Intermediate School — Students at Desoto Intermediate School score 89% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 81.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 33 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
83%
ELA
90%
2015
Math
81%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
84%
2017
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
75%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
71%
ELA
80%
2025
Math
89.3%
ELA
89.5%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Desoto Intermediate School Compares

See how Desoto Intermediate School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in IA
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Waukee Middle School (rated 8.5/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Waukee), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ADM Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Adel), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Grimes), with a comparable rating. 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 8.2
Van Meter High School Van Meter 3.0 mi 7.4
Van Meter Middle School Van Meter 3.0 mi 7.3
Meadow View Elementary Adel 5.0 mi 7.8
ADM Senior High School Adel 5.1 mi 7.3
ADM Middle School Adel 5.1 mi 7.8
Adel Elementary School Adel 6.0 mi 7.3
Earlham Elementary School Earlham 6.5 mi 8.8
Earlham Senior High School Earlham 6.5 mi 7.3
Earlham Middle School Earlham 6.5 mi 6.3
Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee 6.6 mi 6.4
Waukee Elementary School Waukee 7.9 mi 8.4
Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee 8.3 mi 3.4
Timberline School Waukee 8.0 mi 4.3
Dallas Center Elementary Grimes 10.1 mi 7.8
Northwest High School Waukee 8.8 mi 5.5
Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School Grimes 10.3 mi 7.6
South Middle School Waukee 8.3 mi 6.1
Waukee Middle School Waukee 8.6 mi 8.5
Waukee High School Waukee 8.8 mi 4.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville, IA 8.1
Gilbert Middle School Gilbert, IA 8.1
Mount Vernon Middle School Mount Vernon, IA 8.1
Roland-Story Middle School Roland, IA 8.1
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca, IA 8.2
Creston Middle School Creston, IA 8.0

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 ranks #185 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Desoto Intermediate School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desoto Intermediate School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Desoto Intermediate School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desoto Intermediate School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

District

Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,295
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,402
District Rank
#1 of 5

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