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Below Average

#1138 of 1,280 schools in IA

Earlham Middle School

Middle School · Earlham Comm School District

PO BOX 430 535 N Chestnut Ave, Earlham, IA 50072

Enrollment

136

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Earlham

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#227 of 248

In district

#3 of 3

Earlham Comm School District

About Earlham Middle School

Earlham Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Earlham, Iowa. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 136 students and employs six full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of about 22.7:1. While the MySchoolScout rating for Earlham Middle School is 3.9 out of 10, which places it around the 20th percentile among Iowa schools, the school shows strengths in areas like ELA/Reading and Math, with 78% proficiency or above in both subjects, as well as a solid showing in Science at 71% proficient or above.

Earlham Middle School is situated in a small rural setting where community support plays an important role in students' educational experiences. The school focuses on fostering a supportive environment that encourages academic growth and personal development for its middle schoolers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 136 students, Earlham 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Earlham Middle School is 22.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Earlham 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 Progress6.2Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected-12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,053

Earlham Middle School — Students at Earlham Middle School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.0%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 77.6%
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
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
82.4%
ELA
81.6%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Earlham Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in IA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

PO BOX 430 535 N Chestnut Ave, Earlham, IA 50072

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Earlham Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ADM Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Adel), which scores notably higher. Another option is DeSoto Intermediate School (rated 7.8/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Desoto), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Central Valley Middle School (rated 7.3/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Redfield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Earlham, see our Earlham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Earlham Elementary School Earlham 0.0 mi 8.0
Earlham Senior High School Earlham 0.0 mi 7.0
Dexter Elementary School Dexter 5.7 mi 7.9
West Central Valley Middle School Redfield 7.6 mi 7.3
DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto 6.5 mi 7.8
Meadow View Elementary Adel 9.1 mi 6.0
Adel Elementary School Adel 10.0 mi 6.1
ADM Senior High School Adel 9.7 mi 7.1
ADM Middle School Adel 9.7 mi 7.9
Van Meter Elementary School Van Meter 9.1 mi 6.9
Van Meter High School Van Meter 9.1 mi 7.4
Van Meter Middle School Van Meter 9.1 mi 6.5
West Central Valley High School Stuart 9.2 mi 5.1
Stuart Elementary School Stuart 9.9 mi 6.6
Winterset Elementary School Winterset 12.6 mi 7.0
Winterset Junior High School Winterset 12.9 mi 7.3
Winterset Senior High School Winterset 12.9 mi 5.5
Winterset Middle School Winterset 13.1 mi 5.7
Dallas Center Elementary Grimes 15.1 mi 8.5
Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee 13.2 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50072 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,518

Median Home Value

$298,500

Median Rent

$835/mo

Population

2,787

College Educated

35.3%

Homeownership

86.6%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

2.9%

Median Age

45

Community Profile

The community surrounding Earlham Middle School has a median household income of $111,518. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $298,500, with a median rent of $835/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Albia Middle School Albia, IA 4.7
East Marshall Middle School Gilman, IA 4.7
Panorama Middle School Panora, IA 4.8
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell, IA 4.2
Ogden Middle School Ogden, IA 4.1
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend, IA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Earlham Middle School

What grades does Earlham Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Earlham Middle School?

Earlham Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 136 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Earlham Middle School is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Earlham Middle School rank in IA?

Earlham Middle School is ranked #1138 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Earlham Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Earlham Middle School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Earlham Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Earlham Middle School has 78.0% math proficiency and 77.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Earlham Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Earlham Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

19.9% of students at Earlham 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 (354/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Madison County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Earlham Comm School District
District Enrollment
660
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,283
District Rank
#3 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

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