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Excellent

#35 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 3% in state

Emmetsburg Middle School

Middle School · Emmetsburg Comm School District

205 King St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Enrollment

225

Student-Teacher

7.5:1

Score

8.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Emmetsburg

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#3 of 248

In district

#1 of 3

Emmetsburg Comm School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Emmetsburg Middle School

Emmetsburg Middle School is a public middle school in Emmetsburg, IA, part of the Emmetsburg Comm School District. The school serves approximately 225 students in grades 5th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 97.3th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 70% proficiency in math, 3 points below the state average and 74% in reading/language arts, 2 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $62,404, where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a remote rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, Emmetsburg Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Emmetsburg 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 Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.3 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,901

Emmetsburg Middle School — Students at Emmetsburg Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.4%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 73.7%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 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
59%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
74.6%
ELA
78.5%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Emmetsburg Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
97th percentile in IA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

205 King St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emmetsburg Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Estherville), with a comparable rating. Another option is Graettinger-Terril Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Graettinger), a more accessible option. Additionally, West Bend-Mallard Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby West Bend), a more accessible option. For more schools in Emmetsburg, see our Emmetsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 0.0 mi 4.8
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 0.5 mi 7.8
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 1.2 mi 7.3
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 8.8 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 8.8 mi 6.9
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 10.6 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 10.6 mi 6.3
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 16.5 mi 4.3
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 16.5 mi 5.6
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 16.5 mi 6.5
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 20.0 mi 4.2
Demoney Elementary Estherville 20.6 mi 6.1
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 20.7 mi 5.8
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 20.7 mi 7.9
North Union Elementary Fenton 16.7 mi 9.5
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 19.2 mi 9.1
LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong 22.0 mi
North Union High School Armstrong 22.2 mi 8.4
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 26.5 mi 5.8
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 26.7 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,404

Median Home Value

$121,300

Median Rent

$599/mo

Population

4,287

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

70.8%

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Emmetsburg Middle School has a median household income of $62,404. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,300, with a median rent of $599/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Union Middle School Dysart, IA 8.4
Creston Middle School Creston, IA 8.1
West Sioux Middle School Hawarden, IA 8.1
Grundy Center Middle School Grundy Center, IA 8.0
LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 8.0
Southwest Valley Middle School Villisca, IA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emmetsburg Middle School

What grades does Emmetsburg Middle School serve?

Emmetsburg Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Emmetsburg Middle School?

Emmetsburg Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 225 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Emmetsburg Middle School is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emmetsburg Middle School rank in IA?

Emmetsburg Middle School is ranked #35 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Emmetsburg Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emmetsburg Middle School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Emmetsburg Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emmetsburg Middle School has 70.4% math proficiency and 73.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Emmetsburg Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Emmetsburg Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

44.9% of students at Emmetsburg 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (806/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
225
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Palo Alto County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Emmetsburg Comm School District
District Enrollment
771
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,201
District Rank
#1 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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