Skip to main content

Very Good

#180 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 14% in state

East Middle School

Middle School · Sioux City Comm School District

5401 Lorraine Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106

Enrollment

1,036

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sioux City

#1 of 19

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#31 of 248

In district

#1 of 20

Sioux City Comm School District

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About East Middle School

East Middle School serves 1,036 students in grades 6 through 8 in Sioux City, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4 to 1 across its 72 full-time equivalent teaching staff. The school ranks in the 44th percentile statewide, placing 729th among Iowa's 1,288 schools, with room for academic growth as it works to support student development. Academically, East Middle School shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 72% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.

Mathematics achievement stands at 64% proficient or above, indicating focused attention on strengthening quantitative skills. The school's size allows for diverse programming while maintaining manageable class sizes that can foster meaningful student-teacher relationships. The school draws from a stable middle-class community where the median household income reaches $74,750 and 30% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a poverty rate of 13.4%, the neighborhood reflects a mix of economic backgrounds that enriches the school environment. Home values averaging $175,200 suggest an established residential area. East Middle School operates in Sioux City's small-city setting on Lorraine Avenue, serving a community of nearly 28,000 residents in the surrounding ZIP code area.

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+2.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected+12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,220

East Middle School — Students at East Middle School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.3%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 70.8%
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
62%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
70.6%
ELA
75.6%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How East Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
86th percentile in IA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
72 teachers

Location

5401 Lorraine Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MATER DEI SCHOOL NATIVITY CENTER (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Sergeant Bluff-Luton Middle School (rated 6.4/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Sergeant Bluff), a more accessible option. Additionally, SOUTH SIOUX CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby So Sioux City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sioux City, see our Sioux City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Sunnyside Elementary School Sioux City 0.2 mi 6.4
East High School Sioux City 0.5 mi 4.9
Nodland Elementary School Sioux City 0.6 mi 4.7
MATER DEI SCHOOL NATIVITY CENTER Sioux City 1.0 mi 7.3
SIOUXLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sioux City 1.1 mi 8.6
Morningside Elementary Sioux City 1.2 mi 4.9
Spalding Park Elementary Sioux City 1.7 mi 7.2
MATER DEI SCHOOL Sioux City 1.7 mi 6.7
Unity Elementary School Sioux City 3.8 mi 4.9
Sergeant Bluff-Luton Primary School Sergeant Bluff 4.3 mi 7.1
CARDINAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 3.3 mi 4.2
Sergeant Bluff-Luton Elementary School Sergeant Bluff 4.4 mi 7.7
HARNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 3.4 mi 6.7
Sergeant Bluff-Luton Middle School Sergeant Bluff 4.5 mi 6.4
Sergeant Bluff-Luton Senior High School Sergeant Bluff 4.6 mi 6.0
SOUTH SIOUX CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL So Sioux City 3.5 mi 5.6
SOUTH SIOUX HIGH SCHOOL So Sioux City 3.5 mi 4.6
Irving Preschool Sioux City 3.9 mi
Irving Elementary School Sioux City 4.0 mi 6.2
E N SWETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 3.7 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,486

Median Home Value

$186,300

Median Rent

$1,080/mo

Population

28,381

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

16 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Middle School has a median household income of $74,486. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $186,300, with a median rent of $1,080/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Drexler Middle School Farley, IA 7.7
Indian Hills Junior High School Clive, IA 8.1
Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School Waverly, IA 8.2
B R Miller Middle School Marshalltown, IA 7.3
Peet Junior High School Cedar Falls, IA 7.3
Holmes Junior High School Cedar Falls, IA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Middle School

What grades does East Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend East Middle School?

East Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,036 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at East Middle School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Middle School rank in IA?

East Middle School is ranked #180 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is East Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

East Middle 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 East Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Middle School has 66.3% math proficiency and 70.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Middle School a charter school?

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

Is East Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

63.9% of students at East 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
26 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,903/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,036
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
72
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Woodbury County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sioux City Comm School District
District Enrollment
14,661
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,117
District Rank
#1 of 20

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.